A Step by Step Guide to Wiring Your Home For VoIP

VoIP, or voice over IP as it is also known, is quickly establishing itself as one of the cheapest ways of making telephone calls. Rather than relying on an old fashioned landline, VoIP uses the Internet’s broadband connection to move data in ‘packets’. The resulting phone call is no different from a normal call, except for one important factor. It’s much cheaper. When you’re having an electrical problem or need the services of an electrician Brisbane Southside, it is wise to call in a professional.

Despite the huge savings that VoIP can offer, some people are still a little unsure as to how much of a change to their existing telephone system they will have to make to incorporate Voice over IP into their everyday lives. So how do you wire your home up for VoIP?

A simple system – but safety first

One way to incorporate VoIP into multiple phones is to modify the existing wiring in your home to distribute the facility amongst several outlets. By connecting voice to all your phone sockets or jacks, you can simply plug in any normal telephone into any jack and connect to VoIP. This does disconnect you from your existing telephony provider, but the process is reversible, so if you wish to restore your original connection, it can be done quickly and easily.

Although it is not difficult to modify your home telephone wiring system, you do have to remember that phone lines do carry voltage. So if you are not comfortable with modifying your own system, call in a professional to do it for you. Also remember that legislation in the UK has changed concerning home wiring, so check to make sure that your alterations do not require a qualified electrician to either carry out the work or sign it off.

Isolate your inside wiring

The first job is to isolate your inside wiring. Locate the box outside your house where the telephone lines come into your property. This is called the Network Interface Device (NID). In the box you will find the wires that go into your house, as well as a ground wire that protects the delicate electronics of your telephony system from lightning strikes. Ensure that the ground wire is not disconnected. If the box is the property of the telephone company, you must contact them so that they can disconnect the line.

Once you have opened the NID, look for a set of screw terminals. Each one will have a short wire connected to it with a phone connector plugged into a corresponding jack. Simply unplug the wires for your line from the jack. Make sure you wrap electrical tape around the disconnected wire to prevent anyone reconnecting it. For added protection you can leave a note in the box to inform others that the wire should not be reconnected to protect your inside equipment. Close the box and ensure that it is secured.

Confirm the line is disconnected

Once you’ve isolated your wiring, return to your house and check that the line is disconnected by picking up the handset of a telephone plugged into a jack you know worked previously. You should not hear any dialling tone or any other sound coming from the handset. This will confirm that your phone line is disconnected. If you still hear a tone it means that the line is still carrying voltage, and it is not safe for you to proceed any further with the connection. Contact an electrician or telephone engineer for assistance.

Connect your adapter

VoIP providers supply you with an adapter. Simply plug in your DSL/cable modem into the adapter, and then connect your adapter into any telephone socket using a standard telephone cord. Then simply plug in your regular telephones to the other sockets in the house, and the adapter will spread the signal throughout the house to each phone connected. However, the more telephones are on the system, the weaker the signal to each one so it is recommended that you only connect a maximum of five phones to the network to ensure they all receive a connection.

Remember – safety first

If at any point you are unsure as to how to proceed or encounter any problems, contact a telephone engineer, electrician or your VoIP provider immediately. Also remember that this system may not be installed into multiple occupancy properties, so again, check with VoIP providers to ensure that you are not in breach of any tenancy laws or agreements.

Costas Kariolis – Senior Director Online of Vonage UK. Vonage are leading VoIP (Voice over IP) providers for home & small business users. Offering unlimited and cheap calls to India and many other country landlines via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.

For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact:
Costas Kariolis
Senior Director Online – UK & Canada
E-mail: [email protected]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Costas_Kariolis/302141

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How To Plan A Group Picnic In 6 Easy Steps

Group picnic party are a great way to get family, friends, and even coworkers together for a day of fun in the sun.  But of course, these large get-togethers can’t just be thrown together.  Group picnics require a little preparation and organization to ensure that the day of fun runs without a hitch.


1) Decide on how many people to invite to your group picnic –

It’s important to be realistic when it comes to the number of people you invite.  A lot of your planning, from location to food, will depend on this number.  Of course, the number you come up with now will just be an estimate – you’ll get a more definite answer as RSVPs are returned.
While you’re thinking about numbers, start to compile a list of people you’d like to invite.  If this is the first picnic event you’ve ever planned, you might want to invite just your closest relatives and friends – people that you know will be forgiving when there are hiccups.

2) Decide on when to have your group picnic

There are a few things to keep in mind when planning the date and time to have your picnic such as weather and sunlight.  Prime picnic weather is in the spring and fall when the temperatures aren’t too hot or cold.  The closer you get to summer, the lower risk you have of snow ruining your event. 
You’ll also have to keep in mind the amount of sunlight available to you.  If you pick a date in early March when the sun sets early in the evening, you’ll need to either schedule it to start and end early or find some other lighting source.

3) Determine your budget –

Hosting a picnic is going to require some money.  You’ll need food, drinks, tables, napkins, and silverware, just to state a few.  Now is the time to decide on how much you want to spend on this picnic.  You’ll also want to check in with those around you to see if they want to kick in some funds towards this party.
Once you know how much you (and others) can put towards the picnic, sit down and create a budget.  This will help keep you on the right path financially and allow you to easily see how to balance out overspending in some areas with under spending in others.

4) Decide on a location for your group picnic –

Now that you have an idea of how many people might be showing up to your picnic, the date and time you want to hold it, and the money available, it’s now time to decide on a picnic site. 
There are great group picnic locations every where around you.  Some are the usual suspects, like local parks, lakes, and beaches.  Others are a bit unusual, such as local campgrounds, attractions, fairgrounds, and even local churches.
When you visit sites, you’ll want to make sure that there is enough room to hold everyone you plan to invite.  Also, you’ll want to check to see if there are enough tables, BBQ pits, and bathrooms for you and your guests to use.  If not, you will have to make arrangements for others to be brought in.
Once you’ve decided on a location, check with the owner or local agencies to see if a permit or reservation is required for your picnic.  Most of the time, these fees are minimal and help to support your local township.

5) Decide on your food and drink for your group picnic

Now it’s time to think about everyone’s favorite part of a picnic – the food!

There are usually four catering choices:

  • do the cooking yourself
  • buy ready-to-eat platters from a grocery store
  • have the event catered
  • have a potluck meal where everyone brings a dish to share. 

The same sorts of choices go for drinks too.  You’ll need a wide array of sodas, tea, and water to keep everyone happy so if you decide to buy them yourself, head on over to your local warehouse store and buy then in bulk.

Allowing alcohol at your picnic depends on a lot of things.  Some cities, counties, and property owners won’t allow it because of liability concerns.  If it is allowed, it will be your responsibility to ensure that people drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive.

Whatever you decide to do on this subject, make sure that your guests know your decision.  The last thing you want is for Uncle Joey showing up to your picnic at a “dry” park with a bottle of Jack Daniels.

6) Pick up the incidentals for your group picnic –

First of all, make sure that you and your guests have something to sit on.  If your site doesn’t have enough picnic tables or benches, you might have to rent or borrow chairs for the day.  For the younger set, borrow a selection of large rugs or blankets for them to sit on so the chairs can be used by those that need them.

Also, don’t forget about your plates, cups, napkins, and trash bags.  Disposable paper items can be found at your local warehouse or party store.

Some other incidentals you might want to look into are:

  • music (mp3 player or stereo)
  • decorations (flowers, balloons, streamers, etc.)
  • games and/or piñata
  • disposal cameras

5 Ways to extend the life of your car paint

Has your car lost its shine? Has your car been looking a little bland? Well, with all the weathering and dust that’s on Indian roads these days, your car paint has deteriorated significantly over the course of the year. Not only do we have to take care of things ‘under the hood’ but the major chunk of the car rests on the surface of its body — the exterior Paint. Taking care of your car paint adds to the beauty of your car. The paint protects the body of the car from corrosion by the rain and minute particles of dust, gravel, etc.

So here are 5 ways to protect your car paint across the seasons. We’ve also made a video list to help you take better care of your car’s paint.

PS — If you like the video, share it with your friends… Subscribe to our youtube channel.

In summers, the weather is hot and dry in most parts of India (especially North India — Delhi). The heat is intolerable during the afternoon and we don’t realize that the heat is taking a toll on the body paint of the car that is exposed to the sun. The U.V. rays from the sun lead to premature fading and oxidation of car paint, that doesn’t only demean the car’s looks, but also makes the inner metal body vulnerable to corrosion.

1. WASH YOUR CAR FREQUENTLY

Get your car washed every day. By washing the car frequently, dirt and debris that’s settled on the car body get removed. Why? If settled for a longer duration, the dirt gets baked into the paint by the sun. This makes removing the dirt difficult and ultimately causes the paint to fade. So, simply pressure spray your car with water and watch all that dirt wash away…

So, don’t resist yourself from spending your weekends washing your car, as there’s no harm in washing your sweet ride.

2. WIPE YOUR CAR WITH A MICRO FIBRE CLOTH

When you’re done with the wash. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the car. The water that’s left after the wash leave mini patches of mineral salts on the car body that keeps accumulating over time. These mineral patches also promote the premature fading of paint and should be avoided.

Simply, Hand dry the car after washing with the cloth. You can also use an electric dryer/blower to keep your car clean.

3. PARKING THE CAR IN SHADE

It is probably the simplest method to protect your car paint in the Summers. Keeping the car in the shade is recommended at all times.

Find a parking spot that’s covered and keeps the car away from the sun. You can park your car under a tree (Not recommended during Rains), in a shed or in the basement is available.

4. USING A CAR BODY COVER

Made up of synthetic U.V protective fabric, the body cover not only protects your vehicle from the sun but also screens it from dust, rain and chemical pollutants.

It’s also recommended if you don’t have a parking spot in the shade. The Car body covers are portable and easy to use.

5. WAXING YOUR CAR

Waxing your car regularly doesn’t only give the body a comprehensive shine, but also makes the paint job glossy and buffs the surface to a smooth finish.

The wax creates an extra protective layer on the paint job that acts as the line of defence against U.V radiation, dust particles and chemicals.

That’s pretty much it. If you follow these 5 steps then you can extend the life of your car paint and extend its shine. You can also do your best to keep away from dusty roads.