Can I unwire an ISDN connection?

Question

There's an old BT ISDN connection in my house, the line's not in use and we have no contract with BT. It was left by the last owners.

BT have suggested they'd remove it at a charge and in a while. I have neither the time nor money for this.

So can I remove the wiring on it safely myself? There's a small junction box running to the ISDN box. I'd rather get rid of it all as I'm redecorating and it's unsightly. However the ISDN box has a Danger - Electrical current sticker on it. Is this just a reference to the standard electrical current on phone lines. But will that current even be on if the line's not working, and if it is, is it dangerous or is there is there a safe way of dealing with it?

Thanks

Answer 1

I expect there are no hazardous voltages on an ISDN line.  It is a digital network connection and the voltage levels should be very low - if currently connected to anything at all.

Preferably, try not to cause any shorts to the wires, as they lead back to the telco equipment - even though one would expect the lines have been disconnected.

If possible, when you disconnect the junction boxes from the wall, just roll the cable up without disconnection anything and stow in a out of view area.  If not possible, disconnect the wires from the junction boxes and tape the ends to prevent them from shorting together, before rolling back the cable.

Otherwise, if you must cut the cable, make the cut clean and fast.  Try to ensure none of the wires are shorting together before rolling back.  Tape the cut end, just for general safety.

That's basically what I would do if I were doing it myself...

Answer 2

Dude, an ISDN has 100 volts through it, but if the green light is not on, squeeze the lid and it will pop off, pull the wires off, unscrew the bottom and the isdn will slide up and off. If the green light is on, remove the lid and disconnect the wires. After a day or so the exchange equipment will see a fault and put the line into park. this removes the voltage and now the wires are safe to disconnect and cut off. Good luck.