Maybe because all my working life I've had to deal with and occasionally install network cabling I feel an Openreach cable isn't technically going to challenge me.

Still if someone could highlight any potential danger of death from a low voltage I'm all ears.

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

In reply to a post by TheEulerID:

The real reason why the OR cabling shouldn't be tampered with is nothing to do with that, but to define a "clean" demarcation poimake nt where the responsibility of the supplier ends and that of the consumer begins. If it was open season on OR cabling, then it could cause all sorts of costs and disputes over who was responsible for any faults in that area.

So if a house is star wired, where is the demarcation point?

I would argue that Ofcom should make BT provide a master socket with a detachable faceplate FOC.

There is no demarcation point in the absence of a Master Socket when a house is star wired.

However if the line ever develops a fault, a BT Engineer will install a Master Socket free of charge since you have no legal way of isolating extensions which may be wired to the junction box.

If you're concerned with performance speak to your ISP and explain that you are unable to isolate wiring due to the lack of a demarcation point. I believe in some circumstances, they can book an engineer appointment to install one.

Personally I would have had that rubbish out long ago but then I'm experienced and know what I'm doing.

Get your broadband provider to send an engineer, even if they charge an extra £50 for it, at least you'll get what you require.

You have missed the point, or are avoiding it.

The wiring up to and including the NTE belongs to Openreach, it is not yours to interfere with, the same as the gas, electric and water supplies in your property. Just because the risks are different, and it is in your property does not give you carte blanche to do what you will.

This thread indicates that the charge to get the job done by OR via your ISP is about £130 - any real life experiences out there who has had this work done and the total price paid? I personally would like all existing internal wiring abandoned and a new master socket fitted in a rear bedroom now used as a study. The wiring would be from the underground cable termination box at the front of the building possibly going through the loft to the rear bedroom. This could take some time to do so is it an hourly rate or a fixed price job?

It is an FTTC service to a privately sourced BT modem plugged into a very ancient small master socket [no lower half you can remove to isolate the numinous extensions that exist] using an ADSL filter. Then it is a self install CAT5e cable run to the rear bedroom where the router is located.

In reply to a post by chris6273:

There is no demarcation point in the absence of a Master Socket when a house is star wired.

However if the line ever develops a fault, a BT Engineer will install a Master Socket free of charge since you have no legal way of isolating extensions which may be wired to the junction box.

I have had that done. When the man came to do the work, he did say that he was under pressure to do work that is chargeable to the customer.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

I would argue that Ofcom should make BT provide a master socket with a detachable faceplate FOC.

I think the DVLC should make garages come and fit anti lock brakes on all cars without it FOC ...... ?????

I own my car and can work on it as I see fit, but if I rented it, I would expect it to come with anti lock brakes.

You should differentiate between star wiring and extensions wired directly from the master. The "star wiring" is simply an internal extension network system which contrasts with a "daisy chained" topology, and it's possible to have a combination. Either can be implemented by direct wiring from the back of an old master (with or without socket), from the front socket of a master or via the faceplate IDC extension connectors.

To return to the point of direct-wired master extensions, these are historical and will be swapped out as faults are found and/or when there is cause for any other engineering work. The legislation for this was set out prior to BT's privatisation in 1984 as part of the network liberalisation process. There was no provision for changing existing wiring pre-emptively due to the costs involved, and I'm not sure that Ofcom have the power to compel OR to do this (if so, the costs involved would have to be built into the regulatory pricing model).

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

In reply to a post by chris6273:

There is no demarcation point in the absence of a Master Socket when a house is star wired.

However if the line ever develops a fault, a BT Engineer will install a Master Socket free of charge since you have no legal way of isolating extensions which may be wired to the junction box.

I have had that done. When the man came to do the work, he did say that he was under pressure to do work that is chargeable to the customer.

If you do get charged for it then you need to dispute this with your ISP since legally you're not able to touch the cabling unless an NTE is installed.

Ring your voice supplier and ask for a quote, I *believe* it is all done for a fixed price.

From what you describe the only issue might be that the engineer is within his rights to decline to work in your loft if not boarded out satisfactorily.