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From: pbreslin@alias.uucp (Paul Breslin)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Number of devices on 1 line?
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Date: 22 Jul 89 13:44:14 GMT
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X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 201, message 8 of 8

If one has several old rotary dial phones and an old hand-me-down answering
machine (all of untraceable origin) and an old 1200 baud modem (usually left
powered off), how does one determine the REN number? Can I measure each
device with an ohm meter or something? (I suspect many people have similar
collections of junk plugged into their phone jacks.)


[Moderator's Note: Without going to the trouble of measuring each one, I
think you are safe in assuming one old phone equals one REN. Years ago we
were told by telco don't put more than four extension phones on the line.
The answering machine probably counts for a about half a REN. Three or
four phones, an answering machine and a modem should get along okay. At
home I have three extensions and a modem on one line; three extensions and
and answering machine on the other line.  PT]