BT new line wall sockets issue with ADSL

Hello

I have a new BT line with new SSFP OpenReach master socket and two extension sockets. I chose ZEN Broadband ADSL not fibre. I am close to the exchange.

I want to move my router to an extension socket with a filter but it doesn't work at all - only on the master socket.

If I remove the ADSL part of the master socket I can then move the router to any extension socket - but I get a lower speed.

What's going one here? Is there a problem with the wiring in my house?

Edited by deleted (Sun 10-Jan-16 08:50:33)

Sounds like it's working as it's supposed to.

You need to convert the extension to an unfiltered one. Does the new master socket/faceplate have connections for such an extension? I assume it came with some for of leaflet.

I should note that if the OR SSFP does not have separate IDC connections for unfiltered output (the Interstitial plate I have does, but that's not an SSFP) then you'll need to connect your extension to the RJ11 (VDSL) socket on the front of the faceplate. Ideally use CW1308 or cat5/6 ethernet cable. However, existing extension cable would work, but it might be more vulnerable to noise and/or some loss of speed depending on the specification of the cable.

The trickiest problem is making a connection to existing extension cable in place if there is no unfiltered output on the faceplate. However, there are numerous VDSL extension cable kits designed for the purpose.

There be an issue with the extension wiring, e.g. poor quality cable or split pairs.

The reason the SSFP exists is because extension wiring can result in lower speeds. One option is to replace the extension wiring with better quality cable, i.e. solid copper CW1308 or CAT5 cable and ensure a twisted pair is used.

The BT engineer fitted the master socket which is like an NTE5 (but it is now called an SSFP when I check the BT "what sort of socket do I have" page). He connected the Blue wire to Pin 5 and White/Blue wire to Pin 2. The ADSL socket part just fits over that and plugs in removably.

If the ADSL socket is fitted, the router will not work on any extension. If the ADSL socket part is removed the router works on any extension (with a filter) but speed is lower.

I don't want to mess with the BT wiring - mind you when he arrived he couldn't work out which one was the master socket!

Edited by deleted (Sun 10-Jan-16 15:32:51)

All the extension wiring after the master socket is the householder's responsibility, so you are free to do what you like with that. It's the incoming wire which you can't touch (and to get to that you'd have to unscrew the socket from the wall).

What you have sounds more like the effect of an Interstitial plate, but without some technical information and/or photos of the front and back of this thing it's difficult to give advice. It sounds like this plate is just filtering all your extensions when it's in place and that will cut off any DSL type services.

I would have thought it extremely unlikely that its just poor quality wiring (which is very rarely so bad as to cut service off entirely). The OP reports that without the SSFP in place ADSL works, and that sounds more like an Interstitial plate too me. Frankly, I'm confused.

Just to follow up, are you sure it isn't one of these that you have? If so, that's an Interstitial plate (and it is removable via a slot). If it's a modern one you'll see two connections (called IDCs) on the Interstitial plate. What you have to then do is find out which is the wire for your chosen extension and take the two signal wires (it will be the blue and white/blue and connected to these IDCs on the faceplate). You need an IDC tool to do that (very cheap and easily available), although it is possible to do it with a thin bladed screwdriver. (They are called IDCs as it stands for "Insulation Displacement Connector). Basically a sharp metal slot that pierces the insulation and connects with the copper underneath.

I'm fairly convinced from your description that this is what you have.

Note that you may have a single extension wire and the extension sockets are simply daisy-chained (that is the wire goes to the first socket then onto the second). In that case, you might as well just run without the Interstitial socket as you'll gain nothing from what I describe. It will not be optimal though, and to do the job thoroughly you'd need to run a separate data extension wire from the Interstitial plate. Using CW1308 cable.

Note that if you do remove the Interstitial plate, you will need microfilters on any socket where you plug phones in.

http://www.burytec.com/interstitial-faceplate

**** edit ****

This may also be of help as it's got a picture with a red circle round the Interstitial's unfiltered output

http://www.run-it-direct.co.uk/btvdslfaceplate.html

But bear in mind my other points. If all your extensions are just daisy-chained off using one extension cable, then it's pointless moving that to the Interstitial plate. You might as well run without it unless prepared to rejig the extension wiring.

Edited by deleted (Sun 10-Jan-16 19:33:18)

Many thanks for your help. Yes its an interstitial plate as you describe. If I remove it ADSL works on the extension sockets but at a lower speed. I will look at running another cable as you suggest.

I have a Type 5: SSFP Infinity socket as shown on the following page if the link is allowed

http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/40812...

Do you mean if you remove it but also replace the smaller bottom part?

How many wires are connected to that smaller bottom part?

Edited by RobertoS (Sun 10-Jan-16 19:57:17)

That all makes perfect sense. If you do run a separate data line and connect it to the unfiltered IDCs on the Interstitial plate or connect via the DSL port, the simplest thing is to look for a VDSL extension kit making sure it's got twisted pair wiring. CW1308 spec is usual.

Something like this (but there are many others).

http://www.claritybroadband.co.uk/clxcart/BT-Openrea...

Generally you get very close to the speed at the master socket with this sort of extension.

I think I'd guarantee that's with the lower part reattached. Even if an engineer connected the extension wire to the back of the master socket (very, very unlikely), it would not explain why the ADSL service to the extension failed when the Interstitial plate was put inline.

In reply to a post by gocat2005:

He connected the Blue wire to Pin 5 and White/Blue wire to Pin 2.

This sounds like internal extension wiring. The master socket connection should be to A and B not 5 and 2.

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

In reply to a post by gocat2005:

He connected the Blue wire to Pin 5 and White/Blue wire to Pin 2.

This sounds like internal extension wiring. The master socket connection should be to A and B not 5 and 2.

I think people are getting their wires crossed (pardon the pun ).

I think they are referring to their extension wiring, which is correct, and if the router is connected to the extension with a micro-filter then it will work, but only if the DSL filter face plate is removed and the phone face plate has been reconnected, this is due to the extension has been filtered from the line so no DSL signals will be present.

Now if they wanted to change their extension to a DSL data-extension they would connect the extension wire from the 2 and 5 connections (phone face plate) to the A and B terminals on the DSL faceplate shown in *** this *** image, but it would have to depend on what dsl filter they are using.

This would result in the extension being an unfiltered extension and either only the router would be connected or a micro-filter will have to be used.
But I would use a dsl micro-filter on the extension anyhow just in case.

Paul

Lets just keep this basic.

Should you use your router on an extension - No.
Is it filtered off for a reason - yes.

What to do. Keep it in the correct socket, unless you want possible instability and slow speeds.

There is no problem at all with running a modem/router off an extension provided that the extension is installed correctly using the right cable and filtering off any other extensions. The loss of speed is trivial for the length of extension you need in most domestic properties. I've done this for many years, and so have countless others.

The problem here is that the OP has an Interstitial plate (as we've now determined) and that the existing extension wiring isn't ideal. Sort that out (albeit with some effort) and there's no reason why performance shouldn't be perfectly acceptable.

We can do without misleading generalisations such as you gave which is demonstrably wrong with proper design. There are many reasons why somebody might wish to run a modem/router away from the master socket, such as availability of power sockets, space, easy wired LAN access for PCs/NAS better location for a WiFi node (upstairs locations are often better).

In reply to a post by TheEulerID:

There are many reasons why somebody might wish to run a modem/router away from the master socket, such as availability of power sockets, space, easy wired LAN access for PCs/NAS better location for a WiFi node (upstairs locations are often better).

Agreed.

We use to have our HH4 (Type A) located downstairs connected to my NTE5A Master Socket, however Wi-Fi wouldn't work upstairs at the back of the house, plus there is no close power socket near there anyhow, we had to use a power extension, which I think is silly if we can relocate the actual modem/router.

So I wired in a data extension to the DSL Faceplates A and B Terminals using CAT5e cable under our floor up to our landing upstairs (i.e. middle of house) and Wi-Fi is now accessible throughout the house, and we have not seen any speed decrease at all, well nothing noticeable that is.

And I will be doing the same once out FTTP is done/completed.

Paul