My hope is that I can put in a second back box adjacent to the master socket for the first pair, together with a connection between the two and the engineer will pass (or extend) the second pair into it to install the new NTE.

It sounds like a doddle ... not near Reading are you ?

Exactly right Bob.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

It still clicks ??? If it does that's good news for the installer, it means the line still gets back to the exchange.

I strongly suspect they don't want that back.

Yes, it does from time to time. At least, I think it does. Perhaps I grew used to it and now just imagine the clicks from time to time.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

It sounds like a doddle ... not near Reading are you ?

No, North Yorkshire. So someone else will get the benefit, sorry

Try plugging a handset into one of the old lines sockets, lifting the handset should may the unit click if it's still live

.... it may even still have a stopped line on it, the channel B1 at least.

Dammit, the 'tickles' always elude me.

No, nothing from the box when I lift the handset. It must have stopped and I never realised.

Although when listening on the handset I do hear a rapid clicking and a bit of white noise - is there a battery inside the DACS that continues to power it?

is there a battery inside the DACS that continues to power it?

No, the remote unit (the bit in your property) took its power from the exchange equipment/line feeding it, 113v rather than the standard 50v I seem to recall.

Must still be connected then, there's definately noise listening to the handset; even if the box itself doesn't click when the handset is lifted.

I hope that doesn't mean there's a fault on that pair though....

Oh well, I'll find out on installation day (or shortly thereafter)!

Must still be connected then, there's definately noise listening to the handset;

Known in the trade as 'blow'.

Oh well, I'll find out on installation day (or shortly thereafter)!

You'll be fine, since we've established it won't be me, it's only me whose luck runs like that ...... you turn up for an install, there's a pair straight back to the cab, and then you find 43v of battery on it.