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If you’re at least 30, you probably remember a time when phones didn’t need to be plugged into electrical outlets. You just plugged them into the phone line and they worked–even when the power was out. That’s because phone companies send a little bit of power through the landlines, and they have backup generators that enable them to do this whether or not the power is on. That means it’s possible to get a little bit of power from landlines even during blackouts.
Now remember, you won’t get very much power from a phone line, but you could at least get enough to charge your cell phone or another small device. If you want to try this, watch the video below to learn how, or read the step by step instructions.
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You can watch the full video below.
Your land line has 40V traveling through the wires. That was the amount of voltage needed to make the old-time ringer (a bell) work. It is still there, and is a different source from the one used by your breaker box.
I remember way back to Hurricane Alicia in 1983. We didn’t have power for a week (which sucked because it was August in southeast Texas. But we had a working telephone.
we currently have a landline….we still have a modem, how would we connect the modem to the landline like DSL and would it work w/computer after disaster? currently using computer/tv/cell on wifi.
Or if you’re not handy, buy a cheap land line phone for emergency use only. You can find them for about five dollars and you are allowed to make emergency calls (to 911 only) without an active account or land number.
Here is a new problem…my friend lives in a brand new mobile home….there is not one phone jack in it. we have searched for days.
See if there is a designated “office” area, desk, or table. Look under it up high along any adjoining walls. Any desk computer modem will require a phone jack. Good luck.