Talk:Plain old telephone service

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What kind of watts and amps move over these lines?

I don't know about watts and amps, but typical phone wires operate with -40vdc on them when idle (negative voltage impedes oxidation/corrosion), and in the area of -22vdc when 'off-hook.'

Ring voltage is about 110vac in bursts. This was originally meant to actually power the classic telephone ringer bell, but today's phones look for that AC signal to turn on thier solid state ringers. On a side note, Caller ID is transmitted between the first and second ring signals.

DSL, T1 and other data circuits typically operate at a higher voltage, from 90-220vdc.

On a dry day, you can handle bare telephone wires and the -40vdc does not pull enough amperage for you to fill it, though you will get a good tingle if you are in contact with a good ground. Even ungrounded, ring voltage will get your attention quite well.

Hope that helps some.

I'm not sure where the above mentioned -40vdc comes from but I can tell you that virtually all telephone company equipment is powered by -48vdc (forty-EIGHT) power plants located at the telephone company central offices. It is possible that the line voltage FROM the equipment is different than the -48 INPUT voltage. It is also very possible that the voltage MEASURED on the line in a home is much less than the voltage PUT on the line in the central office because of the loss in the circuit. Bellhead 00:24, 25 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Merge with PSTN?

Isn't POTS just a popular synonym for PSTN? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by AZuliani (talk • contribs) 18:57, 1 February 2007 (UTC).

PSTN decribes the overall networking, while POTS describes the specific voice grade service provided to customers. I see no reason for a merger.--Donovan Ravenhull 20:54, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

POTS describes a form of telephone service which includes physical standards and features and is an artifact of maintaining compatibility in the modern communications network. PTSN is an all-encompassing term and not very descriptive. POTS is specific and detailed and can stand on its own. Snafflekid 22:14, 2 February 2007 (UTC)