It does of course matter whether it is the true master or not, but as it is clearly an NTE5 with interstitial VDSL filter, and works when assembled, for the OP not to get a connection when supposedly wiring to the true test socket then he is not wiring correctly.

It is impossible for the full assembly to work, even at degraded speeds, and the test socket not to work.

The builder can do all the internal wiring - I don't think it has been suggested they have touched the external. AIUI they can even install the NTE5 at build time. It is simply the incoming cabling to it that has to be installed by Openreach. (Oh!! - I wonder if there is an external NTE?)

I also wonder if a builder('s electrician) has done the internal wiring what cables were used and whether it was correctly done. The OP says he doesn't even know if the extension sockets were wired to the master. That could only mean there are no wires attached to the NTE5A faceplate.

I'm convinced the OP is not understanding the sometimes conflicting information he is getting here. One minute he is being told to leave the VDSL2 filter in place after removing the phone faceplate, the next to remove the filter as well. I'm not sure he isn't reading Andrew's "black arrow" socket as the lower socket of the VDSL2 filter plate.

Re plugging straight into the test socket with no filter at all, using a DSL cable (option 1 earlier) not the phone connecting cable (option 2) there would be no problem with incoming phone calls upsetting the broadband. The broadband supply is unfiltered so contains both broadband and phone traffic. It is the phone socket of the filter that has the DSL removed.

Edited by RobertoS (Sun 31-Jul-16 23:07:02)

It does of course matter whether it is the true master or not, but as it is clearly an NTE5 with interstitial VDSL filter, and works when assembled, for the OP not to get a connection when supposedly wiring to the true test socket then he is not wiring correctly.

I do agree with you, but we have to factor in that now, in the test socket:
1) The op has tired using a BT431A cable - which should sync just fine
2) Has tried with a filter and RJ11 cable - which also failed

It is impossible for the full assembly to work, even at degraded speeds, and the test socket not to work.

I have never tested this to know if this is possible, but could the socket be wired up incorrectly, IE cabling not going into the back terminals A & B, but into the unfiltered data extension part instead? Would this yield a sync to the faceplate but not the test socket?

The builder can do all the internal wiring - I don't think it has been suggested they have touched the external. AIUI they can even install the NTE5 at build time. It is simply the incoming cabling to it that has to be installed by Openreach. (Oh!! - I wonder if there is an external NTE?)

Agreed.

I also wonder if a builder('s electrician) has done the internal wiring what cables were used and whether it was correctly done. The OP says he doesn't even know if the extension sockets were wired to the master. That could only mean there are no wires attached to the NTE5A faceplate.

Yep

I'm convinced the OP is not understanding the sometimes conflicting information he is getting here. One minute he is being told to leave the VDSL2 filter in place after removing the phone faceplate, the next to remove the filter as well. I'm not sure he isn't reading Andrew's "black arrow" socket as the lower socket of the VDSL2 filter plate.

I thought this, but the op confirms multiple times that they have removed both parts to get to the socket.

Re plugging straight into the test socket with no filter at all, using a DSL cable (option 1 earlier) not the phone connecting cable (option 2) there would be no problem with incoming phone calls upsetting the broadband. The broadband supply is unfiltered so contains both broadband and phone traffic. It is the phone socket of the filter that has the DSL removed.

The upsetting of broadband referred to using the telephone cable, BT431A type cable, in the test socket. That is, connecting the modem, without using any filter what-so-ever. Here, if the phone rang, it would cause issues.

Ok, my memory was correct but, just so as not to give any misinformation I pulled the entire face plates off and examined the connection. BT came and connected the line. I am down a 200m lane. When I booked the connection I could not convince the guy from india that the BT engineer will not turn up with a shovel, dig a 200m trench for me and lay the cable!! I contacted openreach directly (getting their number via dubious internet sources) they weren't at all pleased but did agree with my assessment. Mysteriously 200m of cable arrived at my door. I had the builder lay this. It was grey plastic coated, steel reinforced then a black plastic coating of multiple wires brown, green, white, blue, orange. It is this that goes directly to the socket as pictured in MrSaffrons link. This is the line that goes up the lane and is connected to BTs lines,(by BT/openreach?) From this mass of coloured wires from within this sheath one single blue wire is connected to the A terminal and one single white wire is connected to the B terminal at the back of the very first plate. No other wires are connected to anything.

By "the very first plate" do you mean the one that screws to the wall? Then the top two-socket plate plugs into that, and the small bottom faceplate plugs into bottom socket of the two-socket one? Two long screws going through both into the very first plate?

When you don't get the broadband to connect, just the flashing orange from the Home Hub, is it the socket on that very first plate you are using?

As well as the Home Hub, have you got a white box that goes between the Home Hub and the top socket? The label on the underneath will say HG612 or ECI.

Edited by RobertoS (Mon 01-Aug-16 01:41:52)

In the twilight world of deciphering what is going on, but sounds like maybe some odd wiring arrangement that may look ok to the untrained eye but if on site would become clear.

The faceplate with the RJ11 and Phone sockets on it when you remove that is there any wiring connected to it? If so can you get a picture of it, and a long shot while the faceplate is unplugged does the router sync up (working on the guess that someone has wired the incoming line to A/B on the faceplate). If this is the case it may not be causing problems, but I'd not guarantee that statement.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

The faceplate with the RJ11 and Phone sockets on it when you remove that is there any wiring connected to it? If so can you get a picture of it, and a long shot while the faceplate is unplugged does the router sync up (working on the guess that someone has wired the incoming line to A/B on the faceplate). If this is the case it may not be causing problems, but I'd not guarantee that statement.

I see where you are going with this, that would also give the exact same symptoms as what he said.

I didn't even think of that due to I think the OP said it was installed by an engineer, not too sure if it was a BT Engineer or an average Joe Engineer.

Paul

Yes by first i mean the one that screws to the wall. The outside line comes directly to this fist plate and a sigle blue wire attavhed to A and single white wire is attached to the B. On top of this is a second plate that has the extra connection for HH5 on top. It does not have any wires attached. It simply slots onto the first one. Finally there is a rectangular cover/plate that goes over the lower section of the second plate. This has the 5,3,2 connections at the back. Again their are no wires attached to this plate at all. It slots over and is then screwed in.
I have been able to get internet from the master socket.
I have not done anything different to what you ask or I confirmed in previous posts except that I switched off my HH5 for around 40min. It did flash orange for a while, then solid but then connected. This connection is to the First faceplate ( the one touching the wall) with the other two plates that go on top removed. So I am in the master socket. Speed test show same similar speeds. I will give my stats below. First set is this morning with normal set up(ie all faceplates put on and no adsl filter). Second set of stats is faceplates barr the first removed, line going to test socket with adsl filter in place.
1) Usual set up.
6. Data rate: 800 / 6101
7. Maximum data rate: 1153 / 9460
8. Noise margin: 10.9 / 12.0
9. Line attenuation: 17.2 / 39.2
10. Signal attenuation: 17.2 / 30.5
11. Data sent/received: 55.9 MB / 858.1 MB

2) To master socket only with ADSL filter in place.
6. Data rate: 801 / 6101
7. Maximum data rate: 1153 / 9629
8. Noise margin: 10.9 / 12.1
9. Line attenuation: 17.4 / 39.5
10. Signal attenuation: 17.4 / 30.8
11. Data sent/received: 4.0 MB / 22.6 MB

To the untrained eye they appear very similar.

That's great . Now we are clear.

Yes, the stats are almost identical.

Given what you say about no wires being attached anywhere other than the Openreach connection from outside, please could you do another test for us? It may seem pointless but I assure you it could be very important.

What I'd like you to do is take your phone to any other phone socket in the house and see if it works plugged into that. If it doesn't then I would be surprised. If it does, then there is a big wiring cockup.

Edit - oops! You say the sockets aren't wired up. Is there a bunch of wires similar to what you describe also visible inside the master socket rear assembly when the two outer plates are removed?

Edited by RobertoS (Mon 01-Aug-16 13:02:53)

Will do, however, some of the telephone connections are not what you would call connections. They do not have a faceplate attached. Still just loose wires out of the tube from the plaster!

Ah - if there is one that is wired up, please use that .