Which is the master socket?

[jackpot]

Currently have a phone line coming in near the front door. This then goes to a phone socket running through the plastered walls.
This was all we had until I put in a junction box as seen in the pics running into cloakroom/storage room where I have set up a wireless router and cordless phone.
The socket next to junction box is all very delicate and when touched makes the phone crackle.

I want to upgrade all this by running an extension to the front room for future sky tv, smart tv etc and to basically tidy it all up.

Which one is the master that im not technically supposed to meddle with so I can work out the best way to do this. Thanks

Note: the first image has been rotated and is situated door height, on external wall behind the door opening.

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[Jackrae]

I would say none of what you show is a master socket. You need to see where the BT line (assuming your service is with BT) comes into the building. The master socket is the one where 2 incoming wires are connected and at least 3 outgoing wires are connected. Plus there should be a round cylindrical capacitor and a small glass capsule (lightning arrester).

If your line is crackling and your service is with BT give them a call and tell them you have a line fault. Such things are their responsibility.

If however your service is with a third party (to save a few bob over paying BT the pleasure of providing a phone service) then good luck 'cause they will refer you back to BT who will then start dreaming up fancy big numbers.

 

[AlanE]

Second image could well be your master socket.

Only way to tell is open it up and see if it has a capacitor in it.

 

[AlanE]

If however your service is with a third party (to save a few bob over paying BT the pleasure of providing a phone service) then good luck 'cause they will refer you back to BT who will then start dreaming up fancy big numbers.

Not true BT will refer the problem to Openreach (a BT owned company) and if they possibly can BT will charge you!

 

[AlanE]

Second image could well be your master socket.

Only way to tell is open it up and see if it has a capacitor in it.

 

[jackpot]

Thanks. The first one comes from the outside.

From opening up I assume the second is the master.

So whats the purpose of the small box type that comes in from outside.

Whats the best way to add an extension into another room when this assumed master socket is in the hallway. Its all looks too messy!

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[wingcoax]

Looks like a D I Y job of fitting a master socket, a slave can be run using terminals 2,3 and 5 and connecting the same at the other end.

 

[pcaouolte]

The top picture is a junction box. The black wire on the right is BT's drop wire from the street. I expect that the white wire on the left leads to the master socket in the bottom picture. All of this belongs to BT/Openreach.

Edit: Agree that it may be a DIY bodged master socket.

 

[jackpot]

The top picture is a junction box. The black wire on the right is BT's drop wire from the street. I expect that the white wire on the left leads to the master socket in the bottom picture. All of this belongs to BT/Openreach.

Edit: Agree that it may be a DIY bodged master socket.

Yes you are correct regarding the wires.

So all I need is some telephone cable and connect the correct terminals stated above.

Is there a way to get around messing about with bt owned hardware etc

 

[AlanE]

Go on eBay such as

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BT-phone-...152?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ec849df78

and replace existing with one of these and then just hope that if such time as you have a problem requiring an engineer visit the don't realise you have fitted the socket.

Or with the old fig. 8 drop wire wait until it rains and complain you have a crackly line and Open reach will probably replace the drop-wire as with that type the insulation breaks down.

 

[jackpot]

Thanks guys.
So I can either....
1. Replace old master socket with nte5 and hope bt don't find out.

2. Run some telephone wire from terminals 2 and 5 to A and B in a newly installed nte5 situated near my router, phone etc. This then will become my unofficial master socket where I can run all the extensions I want.

Next problem is that the drop wire coming in from outside to the junction box as seen above is located in a stupid place as when the front door is opened wide it bangs onto the junction box, however there is only a couple of inches to play with, so junction box can not be repositioned. Is there a way to extend the old style drop wire?

 

[Jackrae]

Does the "drop wire" appear at the other side of the door. If so then fit the master socket there.

Some phones need a wire in terminal 3 to effect a ring on the extensions, so better to run 2,3,5 to be sure. Use 4-way wire- you can connect the spare to terminal 4 to make things neat.

 

[jackpot]

Does the "drop wire" appear at the other side of the door. If so then fit the master socket there.

Some phones need a wire in terminal 3 to effect a ring on the extensions, so better to run 2,3,5 to be sure. Use 4-way wire- you can connect the spare to terminal 4 to make things neat.

No the drop wire is directly behind the front door near the top hinge. So when kids barge in, it slams against the junction box. I guess im stuck with it really as even extending is going to require some sort junction box unless bt do it from the outside.

 

[pcaouolte]

If you complain about the crackling when it rains as suggested above the Openreach engineer will probably replace the drop wire and the master socket. Providing the engineer can get the new drop wire to the current master socket position without difficulty they are likely to run the new drop wire direct to the master socket without a junction box as it will be easier for them and less likely to give a fault in the future. Cups of tea/coffee work well with Openreach engineers.

The risk is that BT want to charge. You will get lots of warnings about this when you report the fault. Its a risk you take but your drop wire is very old so it is likely to be deteriorating and they will have difficulty proving its not faulty if you say that it is weather related.

Remember that you have not done any work on any of the wiring, it was like this when you moved in.