Another - Moving BT Master Socket....

[Dr Murdoch]

Sorry, I didn't want to hijack the other thread.

I moved my my BT socket at the weekend using about 12m of cable (https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Index/Telephone_Cable_External/index.html)

I took a while to figure out the wiring due to the colour of the cables, anyway, I got there in the end and all is fine, well, 99% fine.....

A few times my BT broadband has dropped out, the light turns orange but 5 mins later is ok again.

Is this a BT issue, or is something I have caused? I don't think it is otherwise it would just work, or it won't?

Any thoughts?

[Dave_ST220]

How did join the cable? Any noise on the line? If it was fine prior to the move then chances are it's something you have done...

[Dr Murdoch]

Dave_ST220 said:

How did join the cable? Any noise on the line? If it was fine prior to the move then chances are it's something you have done...

Thanks

I simply connected the extension cable to the master socket (at front of house), so each connector on the socket has two wires slotted into it. I'll have to borrow a phone to test the line then?

(We threw our phone away about two years ago)

[Dave_ST220]

Did you use an IDC tool or are the terminals the older screw type? Yes, you need to really do a quiet line test.

[Dr Murdoch]

Dave_ST220 said:

Did you use an IDC tool or are the terminals the older screw type? Yes, you need to really do a quiet line test.

Erm, well, I used some tweezers!

[Dave_ST220]

Get a telephone on the line! I'd expect you to here noise (cracking pops). Does it disconnect when the phone rings? Where is your router plugged in?

[Dr Murdoch]

Dave_ST220 said:

Get a telephone on the line! I'd expect you to here noise (cracking pops). Does it disconnect when the phone rings? Where is your router plugged in?

Thanks again Dave

The BT router is now at the rear of the house (previously it was located at the front), and is plugged in to the new socket.

As I said, it works fine for 99% of the time, watched 2-3 hrs of iplayer last night without issue. This morning it dropped out for a few mins then sorted itself out.

[Dave_ST220]

It's probably a loose connection, if you don't use the line for a phone the easiest thing to do id get one to test (via a filter, a phone needs a filter or the BB will drop). Ringing the line (even though you have no phone) can also highlight the problem (HR fault). If the connections are IDC you really need a tool (cheap plastic thing, pence).

[Dr Murdoch]

Thanks

Ive just tried ringing it, it rings and rings, no issues with clarity or interference.

I'll try a phone on it tonight when i get home as you suggested.

[beko1987]

I've done this in our rented house, bypassed 1980's crap wiring with a new run to where I wanted it.

I went from the place the outside cable comes into the house (so before the master socket), bought some jelly crimps from ebay, cut and re-stripped the black external wire, then crimped on a matched pair from a new length of cat5 twisted pair cable. Then one long run through the house (under the laminate edging, through a handy existing hole into the under stairs cupboard then just laid the cable behind all the furniture down one wall in the front room), then bought a filtered master socket from Clarity and connected it to that. The 'master socket' just sits in the nest of wiring behind our TV unit, with the router on a shelf on said unit.

Took the BB speed from 6 to 14mb (we only have ADSL so 14mb is pretty good) and the phone was much clearer. I bought an IDE punchdown tool though fo £not a lot, added it to the filtered faceplate order.

When I fitted it, I ran the cat 5 run into the old master socket, left a long loop and ran it straight back out again. When we move out, I'll open the old master socket up, snip the wire, pull all my new stuff out and take it with me ready to re-install in the new place, and re-instate the old phone wiring.

Or just leave it in place and hope the new tenants want their router where I have mine!

I did the same in our old flat but used a small screwdriver and even a butter knife to punch the cable down, and broke a faceplate terminals doing it, they are very fragile!

We are lucky though in that all the bits that need BB or Lan are in the front room. When I eventually get my media server running in the loft I will either experiment with homeplugs, or take a length of cat5 out of the front room wall, up the house tied onto the sky cable and into the loft...

[Cyberprog]

At the new extension end, put a phone on it and dial 17070. Select the quiet line test and see if you hear any noises. Repeat at the master socket also if you do hear some.

[Dr Murdoch]

Thanks again for the advice.

Did a cock up by buying this https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Inde... as opposed to this https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/DataSheets/... ?

[Dave_ST220]

Ideally you wanted external CW1724 cable. External grade CAT5 would be fine too.

[Dr Murdoch]

Dave_ST220 said:

Ideally you wanted external CW1724 cable. External grade CAT5 would be fine too.

Thanks Dave

So what effect will the CW1128 have on my broadband?

[WinstonWolf]

Dr Murdoch said:

Dave_ST220 said:

Ideally you wanted external CW1724 cable. External grade CAT5 would be fine too.

Thanks Dave

So what effect will the CW1128 have on my broadband?

I suspect your biggest problem is not using a punchdown tool.

[Dr Murdoch]

WinstonWolf said:

I suspect your biggest problem is not using a punchdown tool.

I suspect you're right, but i'm still interested in the effects of the different cables discussed.

[WinstonWolf]

Dr Murdoch said:

WinstonWolf said:

I suspect your biggest problem is not using a punchdown tool.

I suspect you're right, but i'm still interested in the effects of the different cables discussed.

Personally I'd say it's negligible, your termination is more likely to cause you issues. I assume you're using a slave socket and not a master in the new point?

[Dr Murdoch]

WinstonWolf said:

Personally I'd say it's negligible, your termination is more likely to cause you issues. I assume you're using a slave socket and not a master in the new point?

Yup thats right, only two wires connected (2 & 5) in the new socket (Ive copied the BT installation that was originally at front of house)

Regarding the cable, I just wanted to make sure its not fundamental. I appreciate that termination looks like the issue, once ive mastered that all should be fine by the sounds of it; I didn't fancy re-running the cable again, as it took a good few hours to do...

[WinstonWolf]

Dr Murdoch said:

WinstonWolf said:

Personally I'd say it's negligible, your termination is more likely to cause you issues. I assume you're using a slave socket and not a master in the new point?

Yup thats right, only two wires connected (2 & 5) in the new socket (Ive copied the BT installation that was originally at front of house)

Regarding the cable, I just wanted to make sure its not fundamental. I appreciate that termination looks like the issue, once ive mastered that all should be fine by the sounds of it; I didn't fancy re-running the cable again, as it took a good few hours to do...

Unless there's something I'm not aware of the cable you've used is as good as the BT drop cable, it should be fine. You *might* need a new master faceplate if you've stretched the punchdown block, I'd get a proper punchdown tool, for single use the cheapo ones are fine.

[Dave_ST220]

Any twisted pair cable is fine so long as it's copper. CCA & CCS KILL broadband. If you don't use the line for telephones there's no need for any filters, you would however need a BT 431A plug to RJ11 plug patch lead (same as Sky box). Your unlikely to have one so just use the supplied lead & plug in via a filter. The only other point is make sure you are using a pair on the cable you have installed. A split pair won't cause issues over your distance but best to do the job right. PM me if you want the bits & bobs, we won't be the cheapest but I'll guarantee good kit and service!