No master socket?

I just recently moved to a brand new flat, which happens to be almost next to the local exchange and so waswaiting to be able to receive 8mb. However, the maximum speed I have managed to achieve has never exceeded 4mb.

Initially I thought there was an issue with the adsl service but then when I lookd at the router stats I noticed that the line was in fact synching at 8mb but the Downstream SNR Margin was going crazy!. Within seconds it would go from 14.3db to 2db and anything in between. Having done a bit of research here I discovered that this was probable down to wiring in my flat. Upon checking all sockets I was shocked to find that I did not have a master socket! All three sockets in the flat sem to be extensions and not a signle of them has a test socket behind.

So my question is simple. Is there any hope? Is there anything I can do to improve the speed or should I resign to the fact that the builders messed up big time?


Any help in much appreciated.

the one with the extra components is the master, probably closest to the point of cable entry. Or you may have a "hidden" master socket behind a cupboard, in the airing cupboard etc. Not all masters have the detachable faceplate of the newer Lineboxes.

Try pulling the ring wire off terminal 3 of all the sockets to see if it improves things, start with just the master if you like taking one step at a time.

I have checked the whole flat and there only three sockets, all of them exactly the same and with no extra components. Is is possible that there was not a master socket installed?

You also mention removing the ring wire of terminal 3 of all sockets. Could you elaborate?

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Could you elaborate?

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BT use a 3rd wire for driving the ring circuit on phones, this makes it unbalanced and contributes to noise in the ADSL spectrum. Removing the wire geenrally gives a higher SNR or higher speed at the same SNR. You pull it out of the jaws of the IDC connector upwards away from the socket at right angles to the socket.

If you really have no master you may not have a ring wire on terminal 3 as there's nothing to feed it.

There's two things you could do.....

1. Call BT and ask them why you don't have a master socket. You may have a claim against the builders.

2. Buy a master socket, and fit it where the BT wiring comes in, or get a contractor to do it for you.

ONLY ONE OF THOSE IS LEGAL THOUGH!!! And it's not the DIY option!

Seriously, do NOT tamper with the incoming BT line. Doing so is not allowed and will make you liable for any costs BT incur in making right your changes. The only people who can legally install a master socket on the incoming BT line are BT engineers.

Phone BT on 151 and tell them that you seem to not have a master socket and that you need to have one fitted. You may get this master socket fitted for free, depending on what the engineer finds is attached to your line. If your line is terminated on what they used before they had master sockets, then they are obliged to do it for free, assuming your wiring is not totally botched. If not, then you will be charged for the visit. The charge will be dependant on how long the engineer spends on-site.

Cheers

Andrew.

Edited by zen_ajp (Sun 22-Oct-06 20:13:10)

Plug a corded phone into a socket without any filters. If it rings, you have a master socket somewhere. If it doesn't you haven't.

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Is is possible that there was not a master socket installed?

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No.

There *has* to be a master socket, or an equivalent piece of equipment doing the same task. If you can't find it in your flat, then it has to be somewhere when you have no access.

If there was no master socket on your cabling, then all your phones woudl go *bang* whenever someone called.

I have phones that ring with or without a master / bell wire being present, not sure its a reliable test.

So do I - it's not a reliable test.

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No.

There *has* to be a master socket, or an equivalent piece of equipment doing the same task. If you can't find it in your flat, then it has to be somewhere when you have no access.

If there was no master socket on your cabling, then all your phones woudl go *bang* whenever someone called.

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Please don't talk carp. All the master does is offer an end-of-line resistor so the circuit is measurable in service remotely, a lightening arrestor and a ring capacitor. None of these are actually neccessary with modern instruments attached.

So it is possible that a master socket has not been fitted in my flat but somewhere externally and then three extensions are placed in the flat? If so, who would be responsible for this? Would it be BT or the builders?

As you said that the flat was brand new, your first port of call should be the builders. If the flat was wired for phones, then it should be done properly.

Most modern telephone handsets do not require a bell wire in order to ring. Plugging in a phone with no filters in place will therefore not tell you whether there is a master socket or not. The guy that suggested your phone would blow up without a master socket is talking nonsense.

Builders are builders, not comms engineers. Only BT are allowed to connect the incoming phone cable to your internal wiring. If this is not the case, then you would have a good case against the developer. Whether you get anywhere with that is another thing altogether. I would still suggest your first port of call should be BT as this will offer a speedier resolution.

Cheers

Andrew.

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I would still suggest your first port of call should be BT as this will offer a speedier resolution.

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Yes it will be speedier, but costlier too. They will charge

Sorry, but a lot of phones, including BT badged ones, are only 2-wire connected; so they will ring without a Master socket.