BT Pathway-Installation Notes                  >  Back in stock !! <

This web page was created by T.M.I. Limited to provide installation notes and technical information for the BT Pathway Telephone System.    We do our best to keep the information up to date but mistakes can happen.  If you see any errors, or would like to make suggestions for improvement, please let us know.   The BT Pathway system is supplied with a paper bound User Guide.

1. System  Construction

The Control Unit is sold with two different configurations:-

Pathway 2+6 (analogue) provides for the connection of 2 standard analogue lines and 6 extensions.

Pathway 2+6 (digital) provides for connection of 1 digital ISDN2 circuit ( provides 2 channels/lines) and 6 extensions.

Both configurations  will accept standard telephone sets or BT Pathway System-Phones.  One System-phone must be supplied with each system as it is used for programming.

The system can be expanded up to 8 lines and 18 extensions by connecting the  following cards to  the Motherboard on the Control Unit .

•  Extension cards - allows connection of six extensions
•  Analogue Line card - allows connection of two analogue lines
•  ISDN2 card allows  connection of one ISDN2 circuit (2 lines / channels)

Flexibility and additional functionally is provided by adding the following hardware:-

•  Voice Mail (single port - 18 mail boxes)
•  ISDN Upgrade Kit - required to allow an analogue system to take ISDN cards. Includes an ISDN2 expansion card. 
•  Call Logging Module V24 (required if a PC or printer is connected for call management)
•  Battery Back Up Unit (1 hour)

2. Wiring the Control Unit extension sockets to line jack units (telephone wall sockets).  

The BT Pathway Control Unit incorporates an MDF (main distribution frame) where all wires for the initial  lines and extensions are connected.  The MDF is accessed by removing an access cover on the Control Unit Housing.  Wires are connected using a standard inserter tool.

The MDF has a four position punch down connector for each extension.  The connectors are marked A, B, C, D,

** Telephone sockets should be type PABX Master 2/3A or 3/3A

3.  Wiring to analogue exchange lines

Four way connectors are also provided for the connection of analogue lines. For example:-

4.  Wiring Door Intercom / Entry Unit (Optional)

With a  door intercom installed, anyone visiting your premises can call you when they arrive, so you can speak to them before you let them in.  If you have a door-strike fitted, you can unlock the door from your phone by pressing the recall button followed by 86.  It is important to note that the Door Intercom is not supplied with the door-strike mechanism.  We can supply these at a very reasonable price or you may wish to have a locksmith / electrician supply and fit the door-strike mechanism.

At the bottom of the MDF you will see connections A&B marked 'DS'.  These connections provides a closed relay contact when in the operated position.  The Door-Strike Mechanism will need to be wired to this connection point.  The door intercom uses connections A&B from extension 23.  

Programming the system for the intercom and door-strike is a very easy process.

5.  Structured cabling, ( i.e. CAT-5 )...click on diagram below. (Ignore this paragraph if your site is not structured cabled.)

Click on picture to enlarge.  One or more rows of the patch panel are normally dedicated  to telephone extensions outlets.  This section of the patch panel will therefore need to be wired back to the BT Pathway Control Unit.  The voice pair (A & B at the BT Pathway) is wired to pins 4 and 5 (normally blue/white & white/blue) of the extension outlet at the patch panel. The data pair (C & D at the BT Pathway) is wired to pins 6 and 3 (normally green/white, white green) of the extension outlet on the patch panel .  If there is any doubt as to which connection to use, it would be best to connect only one extension between the control unit and the patch panel and test it before proceeding.

Patch leads will be used at the patch panel to connect (patch) the extension outlet to the appropriate outlet that leads to the correct RJ-45 socket.

A "master" adapter will be needed at each RJ 45 socket where a phone / system-phone will be connected.

We supply patch panels, patch leads, adaptors etc.  If you have any doubt as to what is required simply give us a call and we will do our best to help.

6. Headset compatible

BT Pathway System-phones are headset compatible.  You simply disconnect your handset and connect a suitable headset.  Click here to view compatible Plantronics headsets.    If the user wants the option of using either the handset or the headset a Bi-way headset/handset switch is required.

7. Applicable only to ISDN systems

Each ISDN card is equipped with an RJ45 8-way connector.  

Each ISDN card allows connection to the ISDN2 circuit, supports 1 ISDN2 circuit (2channels), can be configured as an internal only So-bus interface.

The BT Pathway provides a single RJ 45 socket for each So bus.  A connection will need to be made from the RJ 45 socket to a data socket to enable So working.  Up to eight devices can be connected by adding additional sockets.  Up to four can be powered from the system, the remaining four must be have separately.  Each So device is treated as an extension and can be added to incoming ring groups.

The Extension cards have ISDN links (1 &2) to provide the 100 ohm termination resistors (A for out and B for in).  Links are also provided to supply the 40 volts when the interface is S0 (position A for T0 operation and position B for S0 operation.

An upgrade card must be installed in the system in order to operate ISDN2 lines.  The card is included if the initial system is ordered for ISDN lines.

8.  Power Requirements

* Mains voltage supply 240 volts AC +/- 10%

* Power Consumed 75 Watts

* Earthed mains supply required

* The Control Unit is fitted with a 3S fused standard 3 pin mains plug

* The Control Unit is to be located within 2 meters of the Mains supply

9. System Programming

System programming is accomplished by using a BT Pathway System-phone connected to extension 20.  A password is required which is provided with the system.

Three Programming Options are available:-

* System

* Extension

* Lines

The system can be configured with analogue exchange lines, ISDN2 exchange lines or mixture of both.  The system detects which types line modules have been fitted and adjusts the line programming menu accordingly.  

We will not attempt to write all the various programming variations here as they are listed in the Programming Guide that is supplied (one CD) with the system.  Programming is generally easy to accomplish by following the menu driven options on the System-phone.

10. Additional Information

Available System Features Include

Fax Detect

Two FAX options with the BT Pathway.  

• All calls to one of the lines can be programmed to go direct to an extension position that has a fax machine.  This line can be programmed to accept (or not accept) outgoing calls.   This is the setup normally used when you have an exclusive fax line.  
• If you have a limited number of lines, and wish to receive standard calls and fax calls on the same line, you could use the fax detect option.  When a call rings in on a line with the fax detect active, it is answered by the system and the following message is heard.  “If you are sending a fax please press the send key, If not please hold”.  If the system detects the fax signal it will send it to the fax, otherwise it will be treated as normal.  This feature is often used in small offices where staff will always call in on the fax line to avoid making the 'customer' lines busy.

* Courtesy Service

When the courtesy service is invoked, and an incoming call has not been answered for 30 seconds, the caller will hear "Thank you...your call will be dealt with, please hold."

In night mode the standard message is  " Thank you.  There is no one here at the moment, please call back again during office hours."

* Hot Line

Phones can be programmed so that the when the receiver is lifted in will automatically dial a predetermined number.  The number can be an internal extension number or external number

* Call Deflection

When a call is ringing you can select the 'call deflection' button on your system-phone.  A menu is shown that allows you to deflect the call to another extension, voice-mail or a standard answering machine.  Combined with the CIL feature that shows who is ringing, this feature can be very powerful.

* Weekend Service

If this feature is invoked and the system is put into night service on Friday...it will stay on night service until Monday morning.

* Alternative Routing (least cost routing)

If the BT Pathway is connected to different carriers ( British Telecom, NTL, etc.) and you wish to send specific area codes on a particular line, or you wish to use a different carrier over a BT line for particular area codes, the BT Pathway can be programmed to do this for you automatically.

It allows specific digits dialled by the customer to be routed on specific lines or translates the dialled digits and 'Alternative' digits are dialled by the system.

There is a exclusive or preferred option, if the exclusion is selected the calls will always be routed on the alternate route, if preferred is selected the calls will be routed on other lines if no lines are available on the alternate route.

* Music on Hold

The BT Pathway system can be programmed to provide internal music-on-hold or an interrupted tone.  If the Courtesy Service is activated, and music-on-hold is programmed, the caller will hear music followed by the courtesy message.  External music-on-hold is not available on the BT Pathway system. If this is a necessary feature we suggest you have a look at the Panasonic KX-TES 824 or the NEC XN-120.