atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring Pictures of Ugly Cabling Work IX

I've seen so many Rats nests wiring in residential and commercial over the years and I've noticed something in common and the local phone companies are guilty of this too! Over the years, phone systems have evolved to where you only need (1) pair of wires for each phone/extension or to where they just plug into an ethernet cable. I guess back in the day, phones needed a 25 pair connector which meant a lot of wiring per station and lots of punchblocks, etc. As systems have been changed over the years to ones not requiring as much wiring, it seems NO ONE wants to demo the old wiring, old punchblocks or equipment, so the newer stuff just gets added on next the years of old stuff with a few tie in's hear and there.
I've gone to locations that I can literally point out the different decades. Like here's the 1970's stuff, here's the 80's wiring & equipment, here's the 90's and so forth!
Having multiple decades of wiring just adds to the confusion, wastes space and make's the comm areas look like a disaster.
The phone company will bring in new lines and add stuff to the demarc, but never do they remove/demo the old wiring that is no longer good or in use.
I like to use the "Rip & Rebuild" approach whenever possible as I don't have time to decipher decades of unacceptable wiring all tangled up and difficult to trace. A lot of times easier to just rip out and start fresh & clean.

There are other times. though, that the extra pairs on an extension cable from an old 1A2 system saves you from an expensive and messy wiring addition in an old building with finished ceilings and layers-thick brick walls. It's certainly easier and a lot more fun to do demolition work, but isn't always the best or least expensive solution.

Just sayin'

I'm guessing that the GC told the alarm people to do whatever it takes to pass the alarm system inspection. That's certainly not the first time I've seen stuff like that done to pass inspections during new construction.

I have taken advantage of that several times. In one old bank building, the owner would not allow us to fish an Ethernet cable between floors for fear of disturbing existing asbestos. Used a StarTech 2-wire extender (basically a point-to-point DSL) on the old 25-pair cables to get Ethernet to a lower-floor office. Still have a couple harmonicas we used there (that company moved out when the building was gutted for renovation).