Telephone lines (copper)
Install and repair copper telephone lines so the customer's master socket has dial tone.
Overview
A copper line runs from the MDF in the exchange through a street cabinet (PCP), on multipair cable to a pole, down a drop wire to the house, and into the master socket (NTE). A line is only working when the whole pair is continuous and the exchange end is powered. The installation job checks for dial tone at the master socket near the job.
Jobs this covers
comms_line, comms_fault — certificate: Copper line installation (required)
The equipment — what everything does
Master socket (NTE5C)
Where the line enters the customer's home. Phones plug into it.
In game: /towers → OPS Openline → copper kit, fitted on the inside wall.
Copper drop wire
Carries the pair from the pole to the house.
In game: Copper cabling: run from the pole's joint to the NTE.
Butt set
Test handset clipped onto the pair to listen for dial tone.
In game: Used during testing.
Tone & probe
Identifies the right pair among many.
In game: Used at the cabinet or pole.
Tools & PPE
Lineman's butt set
A test handset you clip onto a copper pair to hear dial tone and make test calls.
Tone & probe kit
Puts a tone on a copper pair or cable so you can find the same cable at the other end.
Ladder
Reaches walls, ceilings and pole steps. Place it at a 1-in-4 angle on firm ground.
Cordless drill & fixings
Drills walls for cable entry and fixes brackets, cameras and boxes with the right plugs and screws.
Hi-vis vest & hard hat PPE
Makes you visible to traffic and protects your head from falling objects and low beams.
Fall-arrest harness PPE
Clipped to a pole or anchor point, it stops a fall when you work above 2 m.
Standalone servers: tools are in your van (OPS Work → My van & tools). Items servers: collect them — and the job’s parts — at an OPS depot.
Step by step
At the cabinet or pole, put a tone on the line and find the right pair with the probe.
Climb the pole and run copper drop wire to the house.
Place the NTE inside and terminate the drop into it.
Clip the butt set on and listen for dial tone.
Press Check — it traces the line back for dial tone.
Health & safety
Working at height
Risk: A fall from a ladder or pole can cause serious injury.
Control: Use a ladder at a 1-in-4 angle on firm ground with three points of contact. Above 2 m on a pole, clip on your harness.
Working in the street
Risk: Traffic and pedestrians around open chambers, cabinets and poles.
Control: Wear hi-vis and set out cones and barriers before you start. Never leave a chamber open and unattended.
Ringing voltage
Risk: Copper lines carry about 80 V when a phone rings.
Control: Don't touch bare conductors when a call could come in.
In game you confirm these in a risk assessment before starting. Skipping them on risky work can cause a fall or a shock — and it’s logged as a safety incident.
When it’s not done correctly
Drop not continuous back to the exchange
No dial tone, so the check fails.
NTE fitted before accepting
It doesn't count — the check looks for kit fitted after acceptance.
Wrong pair connected
Another customer's line gets crossed: one line works for the wrong house and the fault comes back.