Can I reuse connections on a 66 punchdown block?

Question

My first attempt at using a 66 block was a complete failure. I used an impact punchdown tool with a cutting tip. The clips do not seem to hold the punchdown wires very well. Did I just get a cheap block? The gap that is intended to hold the wire seems to have spread after punching it down. Are you supposed to be able to reuse these connections? Are they only good for one punch?

I am trying to connect 4 phone extensions to two incoming phone lines. Is there a trick to making the wire stay down in the clip.

I got the block online at a cable seller. It came with no instructions. I found some tips at "phoneman's" website.

Answer 1

the clip on a 66 block are reuseable, but they are only for 1 wire per clip, on a 66 25 pair all 44 clips ion a row are tied together as it one piece, on a split 50 the 1st 2 are paired, then the next 2 across are paired, this allows for disconnection means at the demarc. one thing you can do with one line punched down is to punch the other 4 line you want to be the same on seperate clips in pairs going from top down, the tip is always on top followed by ringer, always in that order from top to bottom. then you cut smaller wires to make cross connects from the 1st incomeing punched down line to the next, and then keep cross connectiing them. this way you still only have only 1 wire per clip. typical phone wire is 24 guage UTP cat3, though you can use cat5 or cat5e for voice as well.

Answer 2

yes you should. the punch down tool has a cutting edge. the only reason they will stay spread is if there is still a bit of wire caught at the base or you used way too big a wire size.

Answer 3

read the Manuel or ask someone who sells them for advice as it is very vague what you are doing here