It got scarier after 8:21.

Makes no difference if something is plugged in or not. They are still a PSU, and often with this kind of device, especially if bought for cheap like the ones you linked the PSUs are erratic.

Even if you removed the offending sockets now, DLM will have likely already kicked in, so it would probably take a few weeks before speeds went back to normal.

Appreciate you do not want to believe the sockets to blame, but it most likely is.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

It got scarier after 8:21.

Indeed - that defect is potentially lethal.

Too true. But that socket looks like it was made in a back street factory! As for the earthing arrangement, don't think I've ever seen one like that, ever. I've seen many with two earth terminals but always with a bar going across between the two. That screw hole damage to the socket would make me wonder if the person installing it had trouble (they usually need deep boxes) and ripped the bar off trying to make it fit. Anyway I'd like to think MK know what they are doing...at least I hope so. As to being safe, there is so much electronics hard wired nowadays etc (just take any RCCBo apart that is probably already fitted to your mains fuseboard), that as long as you don't buy cheap, I don't there is much of an issue.

Anyway, been in touch with Plusnet, seems I have to wait 72 hours. I will do that.

There's an interesting thread on the IET forums that suggests that currently BS5733 and BS1363 don't cover outlets which have built-in USB charging ports although they are included in the upcoming BS1363-2.

Another interesting comment is the MK sockets cost around £2.20 a year to run under no-load conditions.

Link

In reply to a post by 69bertie:

After all, having been up for well over 3 months at one rate (lightning strikes caused the last failure), should one single cut immediately bring down the speed? In fact, thinking about it why does it get involved with playing with the line speeds on a stable line anyway. Haven't they ever heard of if it ain't broke, don't try fixing it.

I've been considering starting a thread 'VDSL not fit for purpose?', any disconnection knocks my speed down to around 2.5 from 4, more often than not this requires my to contact TT to get it back up again.

So if 4 meg is all it provides when 'working well' then you have a stupidly long (for VDSL) D side. So the thread should be more along the lines of, 'what other products might I use' as VDSL isn't for me.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

So if 4 meg is all it provides when 'working well' then you have a stupidly long (for VDSL) D side. So the thread should be more along the lines of, 'what other products might I use' as VDSL isn't for me.

Or maybe 'the office bods at OR say my line should be 7 to 11 meg what should I do?',
or maybe 'I can see where the fibre runs from my house, but BT rationalization of cabinets many years ago left our village with long lines'
or maybe 'roll on 2020 and the USO'
or best of all 'according to latest BDUK2 map field at back of my house will have superfast in 2018, can I put my modem there'

Have a walk around your house with a 'Medium wave radio tuned to about 612 kHz and listen for noise or REIN or Repetitive Electrical Impulse Noise ,
see
http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/rein.htm

For some makes I could well believe it would cost some money but MK say otherwise for theirs. Zero cost on standby with automatic disconnection as soon as the USB plug is removed MK USB Tech specs
Even so I look at all the power adapters scattered around the house on nigh on everything and they all have wasted heat coming off them. Case of what is convenient I suppose.

One thing I have recently noticed is my computer's motherboard fed USB sockets are still usable (I use them for charging the phone) even though the computer is shutdown. Which means my gold rated PSU is still producing power even though it looks off.

Edited by 69bertie (Sat 30-Jul-16 10:03:07)