Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought the Channel Plus DMT-16 Telephone Distribution Module to rewire the phone lines in my ~50 year old house. Our old 2-line phone system had been cobbled together over the years and was plagued with lots of crosstalk and line noise that interfered with my ADSL Internet connection and even with normal telephone conversations at times. I had previously wired my home for a computer Ethernet network, but had no other significant experience with wiring prior to using the DMT-16.
I replaced all of the phone wiring with Cat 5 (actually "Cat 6"), 23 gauge, solid conductor, unshielded twisted pair computer network wiring, and added several new phone jacks using 12 of the DMT-16's 16 potential locations. We only have 2 phone lines, but the DMT-16 allows for up to 4 lines. The DMT-16 uses a type of connection called a 110 punchdown connection. The connection between the DMT-16 and the phone wire is made with a simple 110 punchdown tool (not included) that is very easy to use, and does not require stripping the insulation off of the wires. Each connection on the DMT-16 is clearly color-coded for use with computer wire making the wiring scheme easy to keep straight. I used "tooless" jacks on the other ends of the wires that don't require the punchdown tool and actually preferred the secure feel of the DMT-16's connections.
The DMT-16 includes a simple labeling system where you can clearly and easily label each wire for future reference. It has separate mounting brackets for either a dedicated rack mount or for a wall mount. The instructions were clear and useful, but they do seem to presuppose a certain preexisting level of knowledge with phone wiring. I was easily able to find any additional instructions and tips that I needed on the Internet with no other outside help.
I connected the DMT-16 to our home alarm system using its RJ-31X security system interface. Typical telephone "6P6C" jacks are often called "RJ-11" and "RJ-12" jacks (depending on how the 6P6C jack is wired), and they have 6-positions for 6-contacts. The RJ-31X security system jack uses an 8P8C computer Ethernet jack that is wired in the RJ-31X pattern for the alarm system. I had to make a cable to reach from the alarm system controller to where I wanted to place the DMT-16, but it was no harder than wiring the phone lines. When the alarm system is triggered, the RJ-31X connection on the DMT-16 allows the alarm system to "seize" the line to contact the alarm company's monitoring office. I tested the RJ-31X connector on the DMT-16 and it works fine.
The DMT-16 also adds surge protection for the phone lines, and it has indicator lights to show which lines are in use.
I found using the DMT-16 the easiest part of my rewiring project. Since wiring our house with the DMT-16 we no longer have crosstalk between the two lines, and the "sizzling bacon" line noise that we suffered from is gone. I wired the ADSL line directly from the modem to a special whole house filter/splitter in the telephone company's Network Interface Device bypassing the DMT-16 (thereby eliminating the need for DSL filters on each phone inside the house), but I did try the DSL Internet connection through the DMT-16 prior to installing the splitter and it worked fine. I recommend the Channel Plus DMT-16 Telephone Distribution Module for do-it-yourselfers.
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Channel Plus DMT16 Telephone Distribution ModuleACCEPTS 4 INCOMING TELEPHONE LINES & DISTRIBUTES THEM TO 16 LOCATIONS WITH 110 PUNCH-DOWN CONNECTORSINTEGRATED SURGE SUPPRESSION4-LINE SURGE PROTECTIONRJ31X SECURITY INTERFACE TEST & EXPANSION JACKSINTEGRATED LABELING SYSTEMSTAND-OFF DESIGN FOR BUILT-IN WIRE MANAGEMENT
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