Strange problem

[masted75]

Hi, hope someone here can help.
Recently my phone stopped working properly (not ringing continuously when someone calls) and my broadband kept dropping out. It deteriorated until the line was totally dead (no dial tone). Suspecting it was due to the old extension socket, i fitted a new one and sure enough, everything then worked perfectly - for a day or so.

It then re-occured, which i couldn't understand, so i fitted a new master NTE5 socket. Again everything then worked perfectly so i know it was all wired up correctly. But 24 hours later, the problem came back again and the line eventually went dead! - despite the fact that by this point none on the old wiring or sockets remained.

If i plug the phone into the incoming test line, it works fine, but if it's plugged into the faceplate socket (or extension) the line is dead. so why did it work for a day or so? It's as if the new sockets are getting 'fried' somehow. What on earth could be causing this? Even if BT fitted a new master socket themselves, what's to stop it happening again?

 

[breezer]

50p says the cable to the extension is crushed.

install a new cable and see what happens

 

[bernardgreen]

Two possible reasons.

[1] Fault may still be external and intermittant. Try operating the phone from the BT NTE 5 test socket for several days. Rain water flooding in the cable network can cause slow fade and then loss of service.

A symptom of this is that after a call the line does not clear down when the receiver is replaced due to the line being held looped by current leakage through the water in the cable network. The lleakage current is not enough to start a call but is enough to hold the call.


[2] Fault may be in the Broadband modem which puts a DC loop on the line due to a component failure.

 

[masted75]

Thanks for the replies so far.
to breezer: I did install a brand new extension cable when i replaced the socket. None of the old wiring / sockets now exists, yet the problem re-occured.
to bernardgreen: the phone works fine at all times from the BT test socket, so the external wiring must be ok. It also worked fine from the new socket i fitted - for a while, so i can't understand why the problem then came back. When it happened, i completely disconnected the broadband modem, but the phone line was still dead (from the new socket).

 

[breezer]

I did install a brand new extension cable when i replaced the socket. None of the old wiring / sockets now exists,

View media item 1266
anything else you want to say, or should i continue gazing into my crystal ball

 

[simonpolly]

Tricky one this,probably a intermittent external fault,maybe the exchange equipment is intermittently putting a fault on your line,try ringing your service provider who will do a basic test on your line and tell you if its faulty at the time of testing.Its free to get your line tested.As for frying your sockets the only likely culprit is lightening which you would need to be very unlucky for this to happen more than once.

 

[harrisonline]

If the BT test socket is always fine then the problem must be in your home somewhere. Either your wiring your modem or a dodgy filter! It must be one of these.