[comp.dcom.telecom] Dialing With Multiple Extensions Off-Hook

rnewman@uunet.uu.net (Ron Newman) (07/25/90)

If I try to pulse-dial a telephone while another extension is off the
hook, it doesn't work.  The pulses don't even break the dial tone.

But if I tone-dial the same phone while another extension is off-hook,
it works just fine.

Can someone explain why?


Ron Newman


[Moderator's Note: Tone dialing and pulse dialing are completely
different techniques. In tone dialing, the central office receives
instructions through audible sounds: the tones of various frequency.
In pulse dialing, the central office receives instructions from a
rapidly changing series of off-on-off again electric pulses. This
rapid off/on switching of the electrical current cannot occur if
another phone is off-hook, completing the loop.   PT]