In reply to a post by RobertoS:

As Paul says, it may go through a junction box. What you need to check is that only the wire to the master comes out of that, and similarly at any other box it goes through.

If there is no other wire shooting off anywhere you do not have star wiring, but I would also be surprised if replacing the master would have any effect. Zarjaz may know the probability there.

Star wiring would cause a speed loss such as you have.

I had a quick look in the loft but I couldn't really see anything as the loft insulation covers everything. I also couldn't see any evidence of junction boxes anywhere, so I can only assume that the drop wire goes straight to the master socket.

The only extension socket in the property (Which is placed conveniently down the side of a wardrobe) is also not connected to anything. I managed to trace the cable from the socket, and it had been snipped off and left under the carpet.

So going back to my initial plan, if I replace the old LJU2 with an NTE5 and filtered faceplate would that likely increase my speeds ?

I was looking at these two items:

https://www.run-it-direct.co.uk/openreach-branded-nt...

https://www.run-it-direct.co.uk/vte2015filteredfacep...

And a cheap IDC tool: https://www.run-it-direct.co.uk/IDCtool.html

I do have a spare NTE5 but it is an older type (BT Piper Logo) so I might as well get a newer one.

I would suggest using an interstitial filter plate rather than the one you show. With this it's possible to disconnect the extension wiring but leave the filter and VDSL connection in place for test purposes.

The older NTE5 you have will include a 26A surge arrestor which adversely affects broadband speeds.

Edited by caffn8me (Sun 07-Aug-16 15:48:13)

The front plate filter you link to is, as Sarah says more subtly, cheap tat.

I will also add again that what you are proposing to do with the LJU/NTE contravenes Openreach T&C's.

The drop wire feeding the current working socket must be visible on the other side of that wall it is fixed to. Just because there's insulation in between the joists doesn't mean that there's not cabling and junction boxes obscured by it. Note where the feed enters the loft from outside, in the loft this will be the place to start hunting.

In reply to a post by caffn8me:

I would suggest using an interstitial filter plate rather than the one you show. With this it's possible to disconnect the extension wiring but leave the filter and VDSL connection in place for test purposes.

The older NTE5 you have will include a 26A surge arrestor which adversely affects broadband speeds.

I did look at that one but wasn't sure which was best, so thanks for that.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

The front plate filter you link to is, as Sarah says more subtly, cheap tat.

I will also add again that what you are proposing to do with the LJU/NTE contravenes Openreach T&C's.

The drop wire feeding the current working socket must be visible on the other side of that wall it is fixed to. Just because there's insulation in between the joists doesn't mean that there's not cabling and junction boxes obscured by it. Note where the feed enters the loft from outside, in the loft this will be the place to start hunting.

Yeah I know I am not supposed to touch the master socket, but I don't fancy paying Openreach £100+ just to punch a couple of wires into a new one.
I will try with the iPlate and new NTE5 first and see if it makes a difference. If it doesn't then it has only cost me £30 or so.

It is pretty awkward to trace the cable in the loft as I can't get anywhere near it due to the loft not being boarded out, and I don't fancy climbing through the roof trusses.

So why not request a shift of NTE ? Get it out where you want, and have it confirmed that it isn't connected to any 'old' wiring.

You almost certainly have star wiring to that extension. The wire from where it is snipped off to "probably" a junction box in the loft will be screwing your broadband.

Nothing you do at the master socket will stop that.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

So why not request a shift of NTE ? Get it out where you want, and have it confirmed that it isn't connected to any 'old' wiring.

How much would that likely cost though ?

No idea, just a suggestion.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

You almost certainly have star wiring to that extension. The wire from where it is snipped off to "probably" a junction box in the loft will be screwing your broadband.

Nothing you do at the master socket will stop that.

The snipped off cable is cut just before the bedroom door. The master socket is located just across the hallway (Maybe 15ft or so). I am fairly certain that it must have continued under the hall carpet to the master socket. Unfortunately there was new carpet fitted about 2 years back in the hall, so any old cable would have been removed then.

I am also 99.99% certain that there are no other extension sockets anywhere.

Is star wiring still a possibility ?