If anything, 36 ma. would make it "hot." When checking for low volume, you need to do a "loss" test. Using a level meter (Sidekick or Dynatel or Triplett) dial into the telco's 1 KHz. test tone and read the level. Anything below -8db is usually too low for most telephone systems to handle. The old Belcore (which is now Telcordia) specification was 0 db + or - 3 db VNL. Today, however, that specification seems to have been lost to the operating companies. If you get a dribble at the end of the hose, they pronounce it "within spec." For a fairly good read,
Click Here regarding loop current and line loss. The information is from Mike Sandman Enterprises and is fairly accurate.
The other situation may well be the telephone equipment may be damaged due to the high current. The old spec was between 25-35 ma. with 35 ma. being the absolute highest it could be. Even at 35 ma. I would install current limiting devices to bring the current down to near 25 ma.
Rcaman
