sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Avaya - Lucent Telephones & Systems merlin hold

hello guys my customer has a merlin 410. it was putting the calls on hold when no one was using them. they would look over and all the lines were lit up on hold. sounded like the ksu was shot and i sold them another one. it seemed to work for a couple weeks and then it started doing the same thing. i want to check the voltage coming in next. anyone else have an idea that could help. thanks dave

I would check all the sets at the phone end,sta cable from phone to wall with chair rolling over cable,points in floor protector in wire.
I had something similar and the dogs they took in chewed sta cables.

Or remove all sets @ ksu end and plug in 1 at a time and see if problem comes back.

Wag-is merlin sharing ac outlet with microwave ,toaster,coffee pot,etc.

Might want to check for high loop current on you CO lines.

i went back and while i was there it wasnt putting calls on hold so i couldnt try disconnecting stations for results, but i could check the loop current. if i remember right you put the meter on on side of the line going to the butset and turn it on. i was getting about 50 ma on all 4 lines. i think it should be about 30. could this be a problem. also i went across the tip and ring to test off hook voltage. i am only getting 8 to 10 volts. could this be part of the problem. i did recomend they have the telco get them closer to 50 volts.

8 to 10 is a problem but I couldn't tell you if it would cause an old Merlin to put the line on hold. A KSU-less phone probably would indicate on-hold.

-Hal

I had the very same problem with a Partner a few weeks ago.
The 50ma will definitely cause the problem your describing.
You want you Loop current between 21ma to 27ma. If at all possible.
50ma is way to much.

+they are going to call the tel co today. thank you for the help. dave

There are ways you can "PAD DOWN" the loop current with loop current attenuators, or some resistors.

However, usually these lines originate in an interface just outside the subscribers door, (or in their site) and they come from either a FIBER or T1 interface. The SERVICE PROVIDER should be able to select options to correct this high MA reading.

As Hal stated about a KSU-LESS phone, I had to temporarily "PAD DOWN" the lines on one such 4 line device until their carrier could get their act together.

I was just glad that I had my Loop Current meter and a box of resistors.

Lucky me, the customer had had this problem a few years before and FULLY UNDERSTOOD what I was telling them.

- - Quite unusual I must say. - -

In MOST cases calling the telco won't help you much. Kinda like calling the power company about a wild leg on a 3-phase.So you may have to get filters and control it yourself.

May I ask how close is this location to the CO?

The case we had was next door to the CO, but we lucked out and talked with the LEC and they where able to switch the lines in question to a different switch in the CO that had lower voltage and current. And all is well now.

Sorry Jack (merlinman).
I was typing while you was posting.

Yes, one of the big obstacles will be getting the customer to understand what your talking about.
So just be sure to take and record line readings.