Electricity from the phone line.

[hoptoad]

This is hilarious!
I can imagine what happens when you draw too much current (it is monitored and limited by the TELCO).

You won't be drawing any real significant power, because all telephone systems use high impedance bridging circuits at the exchange point of connection. This protects the equipment at the exchange (and/or customers PABX) from inadvertant short circuits or other conditions such as "A leg" or "B leg" to earth faults on any copper pair or pairs.

Around the world telephony systems are mainly between 600 to 1000 ohms impedance (minimum/s) for copper pair connections. At 50volts DC this limits the maximum line current to a range from 83mA to 50mA. Even the AC ringer which is superimposed on the DC  (to ring your phone) which is usually between 75 volts - 90 volts experiences this high impedance restriction.

Cheers

[BEP]

@hoptoad

Good information. The impedance is the key. I'm very familiar with the tech.

My local CO uses 5ESS switches. I've been in the building to see the nice battery bank used. The digital switches monitor many line parameters. A higher than normal current draw (even 10's of ma) will be logged and may trigger an automated maintenance ticket.

The power available is tiny but it is still theft.

[SomedayIsle]

The power available is tiny but it is still theft.

LO....bloody L....


Like 50 bucks for a stinking local landline, laden with collusional and rapacious fees aint.


What the hell do you think the realization of free energy will be considered, if these robber baron utility hyenas will come after you for a stinking milliamp or two?


Brrrrr.....starting to feel a bit 'schilly' in here.....

[hansvonlieven]

@ SomedayIsle,

You are completely missing the point. It isn't about the few milliamps of stolen electricity. Telcoms are weary about any device being connected to their system that they haven't tested and approved. Incompatible devices can do great damage to the system. That is why unexpected drains on power are so closely monitored. It simply is an indicator that something is happening that shouldn't.

I don't think it is in anyone's interest to have the phone system collapse because some idiots are using phone powered Russian vibrators.

Hans von Lieven

[SomedayIsle]

That is why unexpected drains on power are so closely monitored.

As well they should be....


Craaack!


Thank you 'sir' may we have another.