earlj@ribs.UUCP (Jim Lips Earl) (01/10/90)
I installed a new telephone at my parent's house last weekend, and while checking the wires, noticed that the DC voltage across the phone line (with the phone on-hook) starts at around 40-50v, then slowly drops to around 15-20 volts, then suddenly zips back up to the 40-50v again, repeating this cycle every 5-7 seconds. I thought there was something wrong with one of their phones, causing the line to do wierd things, so I disconnected all the phones from the line, and measured it again. It had no effect. So it appears to be coming from the phone company that way. I called 611, and she said to call during regular business hours and ask for a tech. She did say that they had installed some new equipment recently, and that might be why. Anyway, is this normal, or is there something wrong somewhere?? I remember a few years ago, measuring this same phone line, that while the phone was on-hook, it sat steadily at 50v, not varying unless the phone was taken off-hook.