Changing an NTE5a to an NTE5c

Good Evening,

This isn't a question, more of a statement. I am aware that you are really not supposed to change the Master Socket as it's connected to the OR cabling and if it goes wrong, you are likely to be charged by your CP for getting it fixed (As OR will charge them)

Now what concerns me is that this YouTube video from Mr Telephone tells you exactly what to do..... I don't suppose OR would be interested to know that that's what he's doing.....

Are you the police? He's not done anything...

It's a good job that BT lines tolerate a short circuit with no damage

Edited by caffn8me (Sun 18-Sep-16 10:23:06)

Personally speaking, I find them far too fiddly, especially if having to terminate extension wiring.

Usually I don't have the ease of assembling one of these on a table !

They do look fiddly, particularly lining the wires up through the two holes.

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

Are you the police? He's not done anything...

No I am not, of course! Was there really any need to put that?

If only we could all assemble one on a table!

The look fiddly to set up, I wonder how much better they will be for troubleshooting...

Exactly that ... and when you are grovelling around in a gloomy corner it's easy to get it wrong.

A simple amendment would be if the little 'flap' were hinged at the bottom rather than the top. This would make it much easier to see that the wires are fully/correctly inserted.

I found the video very educational and highlighted the advantages and also the difficulties referred to in this thread.

I spent four hours last Sunday grovelling around in a gloomy corner - doing cable management below desks. I'm glad there wasn't anything like the NTE5c to terminate while I was 'submerged'.

Oh now don't get me wrong, it's very educational indeed...

I would just be concerned that your average user would think "I know what, I'll change my master socket over".. and the get's billed as they have done it wrong...

Of course it's unlikely

Did it have the warning message coming up originally, or has that been added later?

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Personally speaking, I find them far too fiddly, especially if having to terminate extension wiring.

Are you now using only NTE5c on new line installs or are NTE5a sockets still used?

C's pretty much exclusively, accompanied by the new SSFP's.

The exceptions being products for which there are no suitable faceplates yet ..

The FVA front plates don't fit, nor are they for Hatteras installs either.

I'm glad there wasn't anything like the NTE5c to terminate while I was 'submerged'.

Which is where the torch on the Openreach issue iPhone comes in so handy, now where is the work issued elasticated head band so I can use said function hands free ?

That has been added since the original was uploaded.

In reply to a post by MHC:

That has been added since the original was uploaded.

I was going to say that it wasn't on the video when I first watched it.

Good Morning RobertoS,

That's been added, there was no warning when I 1st saw the video...

I am glad that's been added.

I expect to see my first NTE5c within the next two weeks then - at the 'six master sockets' site.

Replacing all the copper clad steel hasn't resolved VOIP dropouts and the line tests can't identify any faults - even though upstream sync is half what the office next door gets (10Mbps vs 20Mbps).

We're going for a new line install to see if that helps as there's no possibility (according to Zen) of persuading BT to do a pair swap and port change.

I'm surprised he was allowed to leave the clip up, even with the warning. Interesting though. And the follow-up about the Mk4 VDSL filter option.

He's not showing anything illegal or even against contract terms as the sockets he's using aren't connected to a telephone line - it's only a bit of wire that has a capacitative 'air gap' coupling

I can't see which YouTube policy this would be in violation of.

We're going for a new line install to see if that helps as there's no possibility (according to Zen) of persuading BT to do a pair swap and port change.

Don't let the installer know , else they'll just use the existing, and you'll be back to stage one.

There's none of the original left now The only option is to use the new cable .

I also plan to be there offering my best 'have a go hero' suggestions

External cabling (which is exposed) is now five pair CW1128. Internal is 4 pair CW1308. As long as the engineer doesn't choose the pair that's not connected on the external, it should be all good.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Exactly that ... and when you are grovelling around in a gloomy corner it's easy to get it wrong.

A simple amendment would be if the little 'flap' were hinged at the bottom rather than the top. This would make it much easier to see that the wires are fully/correctly inserted.

Agreed, they're way too fiddly. Too bulky at the top too which means they don't fit in many recessed mounting plates which is just ridiculous.

You both forget that when designing things to make it easier for engineers, and therefore more efficient; cost-effective; and time-saving; there is no need whatsoever to consider use in a production environment.

Face up on a lab bench is all that is needed.

Heh!

In reply to a post by Icaras:

Too bulky at the top too which means they don't fit in many recessed mounting plates which is just ridiculous.

They've made a spacer available (as a short term solution) for this very reason.

Pants really, roll out something as intrinsic as this, and fail to check that it's fit for purpose.

Like having to keep van stock of old NTE's in case you get a Hatteras install. Buffoons.

Proved one of the little tinkers to be adding additional attenuation to a circuit. Toujours la ca-ca.

That doesn't sound good.

It now looks like I won't be seeing a new install, if all goes well. We tried to order a new line today and Zen decided that instead they would try to escalate the fault we are experiencing so I'm expecting someone from BT to come out and have a poke around.

I can't say I'm sorry not to see the NTE5c in action.

They may fit one, just like old LJs were automatically replaced with NTE5s

The current NTE5a is brand spanking new. No need to replace - and it has a Mk3 interstitial filter.

In reply to a post by troublegum:

In reply to a post by Icaras:

Too bulky at the top too which means they don't fit in many recessed mounting plates which is just ridiculous.

They've made a spacer available (as a short term solution) for this very reason.

Yeah I know about the spacer. It shouldn't be required though.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

They may fit one, just like old LJs were automatically replaced with NTE5s

The engineer was here yesterday. He didn't even suggest replacing the NTE5a for the NTE5c.

He just did a port shift and a D-side shift. Speed is still very slow compared to next door but the line appears to have more stability. His initial tests did show marginal AC balance on the original cabling. VOIP calls and SSH sessions which dropped regularly on the old connection look as if they might be stable now but it's going to be a few more days of use before this can be confirmed.