Securing and concealing telephone lines.
Discussion
Looking at putting an alarm in to my house which will have a dialler function so it gives me a bell when it is activated.
Given how it works, by definition it is only as robust as the phone line installation. In my case, my main feed from the BT line comes in through the front door frame into one of those old school little black terminal boxes, itself then connected to a master socket. None of this is concealed, trunked or neatly routed in any way. My understanding is that all of this to the top half of the master socket belongs to BT and I can't touch it.
I've been googling for a while but can't find any online advice or examples. What routing would people advise and would I need to get BT out to sort this out?
In terms of "my side" of the phone line, what do people recommend please?
I have a security firm coming out to do a survey which will be interesting but I doubt they're allowed to mess with BT's property either. I also don't fancy their contract charges and T's and C's much.
Given how it works, by definition it is only as robust as the phone line installation. In my case, my main feed from the BT line comes in through the front door frame into one of those old school little black terminal boxes, itself then connected to a master socket. None of this is concealed, trunked or neatly routed in any way. My understanding is that all of this to the top half of the master socket belongs to BT and I can't touch it.
I've been googling for a while but can't find any online advice or examples. What routing would people advise and would I need to get BT out to sort this out?
In terms of "my side" of the phone line, what do people recommend please?
I have a security firm coming out to do a survey which will be interesting but I doubt they're allowed to mess with BT's property either. I also don't fancy their contract charges and T's and C's much.
You might be able to configure the alarm to sound if the line is cut. As a minimum it can alert the ARC (if connected) if it's of decent quality.
You can also get gsm units which act as a backup in the event and alert you on your mobile/another line and/or the ARC.
What alarm panel will you get?
You can also get gsm units which act as a backup in the event and alert you on your mobile/another line and/or the ARC.
What alarm panel will you get?
Driller said:
You might be able to configure the alarm to sound if the line is cut. As a minimum it can alert the ARC (if connected) if it's of decent quality.
You can also get gsm units which act as a backup in the event and alert you on your mobile/another line and/or the ARC.
What alarm panel will you get?
I don't know as yet. There are many options. I've spent a bit of time looking at the Yale HSA6000 Series, ADT solutions and a few others. TBH, I've not found an awful lot on the 'web. I must be looking in the wrong places.You can also get gsm units which act as a backup in the event and alert you on your mobile/another line and/or the ARC.
What alarm panel will you get?
ferrisbueller said:
I don't know as yet. There are many options. I've spent a bit of time looking at the Yale HSA6000 Series, ADT solutions and a few others. TBH, I've not found an awful lot on the 'web. I must be looking in the wrong places.
Don't get an ADT, you'll regret it from what I've heard, unless you want to be roped into a very expensive, inflexible contract where you have to call them out at great expense for the slightest adjustment/problem.Also, don't get wireless get wired, there's much more choice and you're much more likely to get something decent for a reasonable outlay. You can always find a way to invisibly pass the thin alarm cable if you try.
Are you installing this yourself? If so I'm very happy to give you advice, I've installed all sorts of security stuff over the years. If not, there's a few Pros on here who can advise eg Westy Prelit.
It all depends how 'secure' you want the alarm to be, is it just a deterrent to put off potential thieves? Or are you worried some pro burglars will have a go?
If the later, you really need a professionally installed/maintained alarm system with full monitoring etc. Your insurance company are only likely to offer discounts on pro installed systems.
There is nothing to stop you re-routing the BT phone line, not strictly allowed but I don't think anyone will worry as long as you do it properly.
I installed my own wired system, it was a Honeywell G4 system, I do not have an auto dialler yet but may add one. I installed an alarm as a deterrent, I'm hoping the bell box, PIR's etc will put off any potential burglar.
If the later, you really need a professionally installed/maintained alarm system with full monitoring etc. Your insurance company are only likely to offer discounts on pro installed systems.
There is nothing to stop you re-routing the BT phone line, not strictly allowed but I don't think anyone will worry as long as you do it properly.
I installed my own wired system, it was a Honeywell G4 system, I do not have an auto dialler yet but may add one. I installed an alarm as a deterrent, I'm hoping the bell box, PIR's etc will put off any potential burglar.
Driller said:
Don't get an ADT, you'll regret it from what I've heard, unless you want to be roped into a very expensive, inflexible contract where you have to call them out at great expense for the slightest adjustment/problem.
Also, don't get wireless get wired, there's much more choice and you're much more likely to get something decent for a reasonable outlay. You can always find a way to invisibly pass the thin alarm cable if you try.
Are you installing this yourself? If so I'm very happy to give you advice, I've installed all sorts of security stuff over the years. If not, there's a few Pros on here who can advise eg Westy Prelit.
TBH I've no intention of signing up to ADT. I'm happy for them to give me some pointers based on how they would install a system though.Also, don't get wireless get wired, there's much more choice and you're much more likely to get something decent for a reasonable outlay. You can always find a way to invisibly pass the thin alarm cable if you try.
Are you installing this yourself? If so I'm very happy to give you advice, I've installed all sorts of security stuff over the years. If not, there's a few Pros on here who can advise eg Westy Prelit.
The beauty of the Yale system is that I can install it myself, quickly and for around £200. They're also flexible and easy to add new things to i.e. I've priced up a system with two PIRs, two door contacts and a smoke alarm. This would be enough, on the face of it, to alarm the downstairs of the house (no possible entry through windows).
I'm looking at moving soon so I don't want to spend big bucks on a system and I'd ideally like to avoid having wires around the place.
The phone line installation is something I want to get sorted.
Roop said:
Go cellular rather than POTS...?
Driller said:
You can also get gsm units which act as a backup in the event and alert you on your mobile/another line and/or the ARC.
Keep up at the back 
ferrisbueller said:
Indeed. Struggling to find such a thing though Roop?
Lots of them about, look for Menvier SD3, GJD do them, CQR etc I'm going to start another thread ref: alarm systems I think.
In terms of the original question. My BT connection box which connects the outside world to my home phone is archaic and attached to a 10ft extension. It comes through the front door frame and that won't be an option in a few weeks time.
I'm going to give BT a call to see if they will tidy up and update that connection. The question is what can one do on the domestic side of the NTE5?
In terms of the original question. My BT connection box which connects the outside world to my home phone is archaic and attached to a 10ft extension. It comes through the front door frame and that won't be an option in a few weeks time.
I'm going to give BT a call to see if they will tidy up and update that connection. The question is what can one do on the domestic side of the NTE5?
ferrisbueller said:
The question is what can one do on the domestic side of the NTE5?
As long as you know what you're doing, anything you like, they probably won't find out about it. It's basically 2 wires (+ bell connection. In France here there are only the two).(This will now be followed by much sucking of teeth and folk saying "you must follow the rules" etc
)Driller said:
ferrisbueller said:
The question is what can one do on the domestic side of the NTE5?
As long as you know what you're doing, anything you like, they probably won't find out about it. It's basically 2 wires (+ bell connection. In France here there are only the two).(This will now be followed by much sucking of teeth and folk saying "you must follow the rules" etc
)I meant in terms of hiding or protecting the wiring, specifically to prevent it being cut. It's not something I've ever considered before (evident by the fact that I didn't think about it before laying solid wood flooring it could have been routed below).
The fact it comes through a door frame, at eye level, makes it nigh on impossible to prevent it being chopped.
As above, I have an ADT man coming around to provide some advice. I'll be interested to hear what he recommends in terms of measures to avoid someone rendering his alarm system utterly useless with a set of snips. The blurb given to me does not allude to a back-up within the system.
Honestly don't think there's any point in reinforcing this cable. You're going to go to a lot of trouble and if it gets cut it'll set the alarm off anyway, which might actually save a window getting smashed before they hear the alarm and run off.
You sound almost as paranoid as me (note, I said almost
) in which case get some CCTV in there as well, it's all good fun
You sound almost as paranoid as me (note, I said almost
) in which case get some CCTV in there as well, it's all good funHonestly don't think there's any point in reinforcing this cable. You're going to go to a lot of trouble and if it gets cut it'll set the alarm off anyway, which might actually save a window getting smashed before they hear the alarm and run off. Of course you need the GSM backup in this case.
You sound almost as paranoid as me (note, I said almost) in which case get some CCTV in there as well, it's all good fun
You sound almost as paranoid as me (note, I said almost
) in which case get some CCTV in there as well, it's all good funDriller said:
Honestly don't think there's any point in reinforcing this cable. You're going to go to a lot of trouble and if it gets cut it'll set the alarm off anyway, which might actually save a window getting smashed before they hear the alarm and run off.
You sound almost as paranoid as me (note, I said almost) in which case get some CCTV in there as well, it's all good fun
Thing is, cut the alarm's phone line and put a hammer through the control box and that's game over, no? Unless it's a GSM in which case it will have dialled prior to getting the hammer through it. You sound almost as paranoid as me (note, I said almost
) in which case get some CCTV in there as well, it's all good funThough this assumes they've hung around when the alarm has gone off and then found the control box (its own siren ironically probably helps!)
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