Are there any BT engineers or people who know about BT phone lines on here?
31 March 2009, 10:34 AM
#1
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Are there any BT engineers or people who know about BT phone lines on here?
We have a BT line that goes from a telegraph pole to a BT wire mount thingy on the garage and from there around the fence to the shed which houses the broadband router.
The broadband was constantly dropping out for long periods of time, then coming back on, dropping out etc so we changed ISP and the router to see if that fixed the problem but it doesn't.
We've now had a good look at the cable which runs from the garage to the shed and have discovered a spilt in it where it's been caught up at some point.
My first question is this: Could a split cause the broadband to drop out constantly?
And, if it is the split in the cable, is it possible for us to buy replacement cable and some kind of junction box to replace the old cable from the garage to the shed?
Are there special tools we need to connect the wires etc?
OR if there's a nice BT engineer type local to Stanstead Abbotts would you like a nice little cash job?
Cheers
Sal
The broadband was constantly dropping out for long periods of time, then coming back on, dropping out etc so we changed ISP and the router to see if that fixed the problem but it doesn't.
We've now had a good look at the cable which runs from the garage to the shed and have discovered a spilt in it where it's been caught up at some point.
My first question is this: Could a split cause the broadband to drop out constantly?
And, if it is the split in the cable, is it possible for us to buy replacement cable and some kind of junction box to replace the old cable from the garage to the shed?
Are there special tools we need to connect the wires etc?
OR if there's a nice BT engineer type local to Stanstead Abbotts would you like a nice little cash job?
Cheers
Sal
31 March 2009, 10:43 AM
#2
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I assume that the cable you're referring to is from the BT master socket to your router? If so then just get some cat 5 (or cat 5e) network cable to replace it.
Go here for all the info - it's actually dead easy if you follow the few simple rules.
Guide to rewiring internal UK phone wiring
Dave - NOT a BT engineer ...
Go here for all the info - it's actually dead easy if you follow the few simple rules.
Guide to rewiring internal UK phone wiring
Dave - NOT a BT engineer ...
31 March 2009, 10:53 AM
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I assume that the cable you're referring to is from the BT master socket to your router? If so then just get some cat 5 (or cat 5e) network cable to replace it.
Go here for all the info - it's actually dead easy if you follow the few simple rules.
Guide to rewiring internal UK phone wiring
Dave - NOT a BT engineer ...
Go here for all the info - it's actually dead easy if you follow the few simple rules.
Guide to rewiring internal UK phone wiring
Dave - NOT a BT engineer ...
I'll try and draw a diagram...
31 March 2009, 11:09 AM
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Maybe not directly related to your issue but i'd recommend doing this to everybody with ADSL. It improved my line speeds and reliability no end. It has done as well for friends who followed the guide.
DSL ZoneUK - Improve your speed - Extension wiring and Disconnection help
DSL ZoneUK - Improve your speed - Extension wiring and Disconnection help
31 March 2009, 11:27 AM
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Here is an expertly crafted diagram... 
Just to make it clear, this line doesn't go into the house, it goes to a shed where we have a wireless access point which covers the boatyard.
Just to make it clear, this line doesn't go into the house, it goes to a shed where we have a wireless access point which covers the boatyard.
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31 March 2009, 11:37 AM
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Yes it will cause problem (bit of a silly question to ask Sal ) I had the same problem at my dads gaff when he had his driveway re-layed. The builder cut through his cable from the Distribution Point in the street to his house, DOH! All we did was stick it in a junction box and recrimp the wires back 
Job sorted. Surely you can see which wires go to which as they should be colour coded. So should be a simple job for you?
Dave - NOT a BT Engineer but a telephone engineer all the same
) I had the same problem at my dads gaff when he had his driveway re-layed. The builder cut through his cable from the Distribution Point in the street to his house, DOH! All we did was stick it in a junction box and recrimp the wires back Job sorted. Surely you can see which wires go to which as they should be colour coded. So should be a simple job for you? Dave - NOT a BT Engineer but a telephone engineer all the same
31 March 2009, 11:57 AM
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Cheers Dave, I'll go over to Maplins shortly and get a box 
It probably is a simple job but I'm sure I can make it more complicated
It probably is a simple job but I'm sure I can make it more complicated
31 March 2009, 12:08 PM
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50 measly volts, gives you a shock when you try stripping the live wires back with your teeth though, I wouldnt recommend that. I only did it once when I was training @ 16 
31 March 2009, 12:47 PM
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Sorry to bear bad news, but, shamelessly nicked from elsewhere, and AIUI.
Is your garage to shed wire beyond the master socket or before?
It is illegal (criminal damage) for you to tamper / alter / change any wiring and / or boxes before the master socket or Network Terminating Equipment as these are the property of BT.
Any connections made to the wire from the pole MUST be made by a Network Qualified BT engineer.
Openreach WILL CHARGE YOU for any work they have to do to bring your line upto openreach network standards if you do this work yourself
Any connections made to the wire from the pole MUST be made by a Network Qualified BT engineer.
Openreach WILL CHARGE YOU for any work they have to do to bring your line upto openreach network standards if you do this work yourself
31 March 2009, 01:00 PM
#18
its not volts that kill you anyway its current,
Are these cables that are split actually damaged or is it just the outer sheath thats damaged?(pic would be useful plz)
also any joint is going to result in some for of volts drop/added resistance to the run, the run is long enough to start with, so if the cables are damaged id push for BT to replace the damaged cable or if its your responsibility replace the whole leg imho.
Are these cables that are split actually damaged or is it just the outer sheath thats damaged?(pic would be useful plz)
also any joint is going to result in some for of volts drop/added resistance to the run, the run is long enough to start with, so if the cables are damaged id push for BT to replace the damaged cable or if its your responsibility replace the whole leg imho.
31 March 2009, 01:05 PM
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The wire comes straight from the BT telegraph pole to the shed (via a bracket on the outside of the garage) which houses the master socket (see waterproof socket in diagram).
31 March 2009, 02:02 PM
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Sal, one option is to ring BT faults and say you keep getting loads of crackle / static on the line during voice calls. Persist for a bit and eventually you should get an engineer which you can "helpfully" point towards the dodgy cable and get him to replace it. He/she might replace it there and then if they don't need specialist access gear.
31 March 2009, 02:05 PM
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BT will actually do it, your guess is as good as mine as to how long you'll be waiting for though.
And yes, it is criminal damage to the cable but fek it, I very much doubt they'd find out, my handy repair work is now under my dads driveway
And yes, it is criminal damage to the cable but fek it, I very much doubt they'd find out, my handy repair work is now under my dads driveway
31 March 2009, 02:09 PM
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Sal, one option is to ring BT faults and say you keep getting loads of crackle / static on the line during voice calls. Persist for a bit and eventually you should get an engineer which you can "helpfully" point towards the dodgy cable and get him to replace it. He/she might replace it there and then if they don't need specialist access gear.
We've rung them and told them that this has been an intermittent fault for over two years which has slowly got worse. They tell us to speak to our broadband provider. Not only have we spoken to them we've changed them as well and there is no fault with their end. We've also changed all the equipment.BT tell me that the phone line is fine whenever they send a test signal down. I know this because sometimes it does work, but most of the time it doesn't. I've told BT there is a split in the cable but they insist that the phone line is OK and have told me that they'll charge £113 call out fee plus £97 an hour to have a look if it's not a fault with their line. I despise them passionately
Anyway an important update has just occured after me having just lost my rag with BT non-customer service. We've found a very helpful man who will replace it all for us
So I'd like to say to BT, go stick it up your useless *** you bunch of *****
Am I allowed to say that on here?
31 March 2009, 08:28 PM
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normal 50 volts dc but 80 volts a/c on ringing switching back on pick up if bt think you are to blame yes they will charge if you can do a water proof repair and i dont mean tape then do it yourself 
31 March 2009, 09:01 PM
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Darwin awards..... people have been killed stripping wires with there teeth, and the phone rings
50V will give a big enough kick lol
Mart
01 April 2009, 07:11 AM
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The chances of bt doing anything are between super slim and super super slim. If you wan to do the job right replace all of the cable with new black external cable (search on ebay) I think you buy it in 40 metre pieces. I have just done similar on an office building I have taken on. I also cut back and removed 6 external cables and master sockets aswell as some isdn lines and boxes. When the bt guy turned up he did not even bat an eye lid!
01 April 2009, 07:15 AM
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Also forgot to add is there a road near the pole? Your other option is to back a. Lorry or similar into it so. It snaps, we did this with a container lorry when we wanted a line moving and replacing