Combination Extensions
A combination extension is an extension with two devices connected to
it—either two standard devices, or a system phone and a standard device (but
not two system phones). (Appendix C provides instructions for installing a
combination extension.)
Using the telephones in a combination extension is fairly simple. The main thing
to understand is that the two telephones share a single extension in the same
way that several home telephones share a single line. A system phone works
like it always does and a standard phone works like it always does when
connected to the system. Only one phone or device can be used at a time,
unless you want to join the two on a single call (the same way two people can
pick up the same call on different telephones at home). For example:
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Both phones share the same extension number.
Both phones share the same voice path; that is, when either phone is
busy, the extension is busy.
Calls ring at both phones. If you prefer not to hear both phones ringing,
turn off the standard phone’s ringer.
If you make a voice-signaled intercom call to a combination extension
with a system phone, only the system phone signals; the standard phone
will not ring.
The lights on the system phone show what the standard phone is doing
as well as what the system phone is doing. For an explanation of light
patterns, see “Lights” at the beginning of this chapter.
A second call can ring at the system phone while the standard phone is
busy, but do not use the system phone to answer the second call until the
standard phone is idle or the first call will be disconnected.
While on a call on a standard phone, you can use the system phone’s
dial-pad and fixed-feature buttons to handle calls. For example, you can
use the system phone to select a specific outside line, and conduct the
call on the standard phone. Or, if you are on a call using the standard
telephone, you can put that call on hold by pressing [ Hold ] on the system
phone. To do this, it is not necessary to lift the handset of the system
phone. (Held calls cannot be retrieved from a standard phone in a
combination extension.)
While you are on a call on a standard phone, you can activate calling
features from the system phone
If Privacy is active at a combination extension, no other extension can
join a call in progress at either the system phone or the standard device
connected to it. (However, a phone can interrupt a call on the other
phone or standard device at that same extension. For example, if a
system phone and modem are combined at an extension, picking up the
handset of the system phone could interrupt a modem transmission.)
The PARTNER headset is a tip/ring device (equivalent to a standard
phone) and can be used in combination with a system or a standard
phone.
3-10 Learning About Telephones