5060Hz

5060Hz is an audio frequency that equals approximately 5.060 kilohertz. In the field of telecommunications, it has historically served as a standard test tone or carrier signal. Telephony equipment manufacturers incorporated it into diagnostic test cartridges that, when connected to a line, emit a continuous tone at exactly 5060 Hz to verify wiring integrity and line conditions. The frequency is also used in certain analog telephone systems as a low‑frequency reference tone, enabling switching equipment to detect the presence of a clear line before forwarding a dialed call.

The 5060 Hz tone appears in older landline operators’ consoles. Operators would play the tone to signal that the line was idle and ready for a new connection; any interference at this frequency would indicate a fault. In some paging and radio equipment, a 5 kHz carrier (often written as 5060 Hz for historical reasons) is employed for low‑bandwidth control signals or as a reference in battery resonant circuits.

While modern digital networks largely rely on protocol‑based signaling and do not require a physical 5060 Hz tone, the frequency can still be found in legacy test equipment, certain analog call center systems, and technical documentation for older PBX (Private Branch Exchange) installations. In educational settings, the tone serves as a simple example of pure sine waves for teaching concepts of frequency, bandwidth, and signal integrity.