ADSL line surge protection post BT filter-box?

Hi there

For the second time in as many years, my router just got taken out during an electrical storm.

The power supply goes through a Belkin surge protector, which also has a phone line protector. However, the ADSL line isn't protected as I've inherited a BT supply box from the house's previous owner which acts as a filter - it has two sockets, one for ADSL and the other for the phone. I can't put the ADSL line through the surge protector, as it only has a telephone line inputs/outputs, not ADSL ones.

I tried running the line to the router out from the surge protector via a filter, but of course that's splitting the line twice - it simply doesn't work.

(Hope this makes sense - it's one of those things that's a lot easier to draw!)

I don't really want to mess with the BT box in case I make an expensive mistake.

Anyone got any ideas on how I can surge-protect the ADSL line?

Cheers

Jackie

Your best bet is to unplug the router from both the mains and the phone line if there's a storm about. I wouldn't rely on a surge protector myself.

Agreed Rik, a surge protector (especially consumer grade) offers what it says - protection against electrical supply power surges. It's unlikely to protect against the millions of volts or amperages generated in lightning strikes.

Like others have said, a surge protector probably isn't going to help a great deal. Nonetheless, you should be able to achieve what you want to.

The previous owner has presumably installed a filtered faceplate. You'll need to get hold of a standard face from a BT NTE5, which shouldn't be impossible to come by. You can then simply remove the filtered faceplate and put the normal face back on the socket, then wire through the surge protector and use a normal micro-filter instead.

However, you're likely to suffer from increased noise, both from having the extra bit of equipment in the circuit (the surge protector) and also from the other extensions in the house (assuming you have extensions).

In reply to:

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Anyone got any ideas on how I can surge-protect the ADSL line?

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just connect the ADSL connection through your surge protector with the necessary cables, simple as that. Even Woolworths have the necessary bits.

It may degrade your ADSL though, from 2.4M to 800k in on einstance I saw.

This is not an option for those of us who run servers of one sort or another. We need a permanent solution.

I'm sure there must be an 'industrial strength' solution available, but I wouldn't trust the anti-surge units sold to the retail market. IAC, depending on line stats, there's every chance that an electrical storm will take the connection down due to electrical noise. With a Max circuit, that could end up as a depressed profile if the storm is severe enough for long enough.

The real solution, I guess, is fibre to the home.

Clarity do one that is *supposed* to be specifically for ADSL lines. They claim it will resist anything except a direct strike. Can't remember how much it is but you pays your money etc. The only truly safe way unless you're running a server and don't have the option, is to pull the plug out when there's a storm around.

During a storm last year, we had a lightning strike about 1/4 mile away. (damage to building, etc)

The result was alarms sounding everywhere and numerous neighbours with dead routers, etc on their ADSL connections.

My (cheap) surge protector did its job and died protecting my expensive DrayTek router.

Neighbours had to buy new modems, routers etc. (after I explained it to them)

Hi, I use the Masterplug (6) way 2m Surge Protected Extension Lead with Telecoms, this kit is quality of high standard with a