Can a faulty master socket cause linkdead / dropou...

I'm connecting to a Dark Age of Camelot server in the US (206.112.64.6) on BT Infiinity and my accounts are going linkdead every 3-5 minutes (when local game client loses connection with the server). This has been happening since I noticed that the cable to our master socket is threadbare and thee are individual wires poking out of the back of the socket (which is not attached to the wall).
Last time i had this problem, it was a routing issue between me and the server which BT was responsible for causing, but that was 8 months ago.
What can I do to remedy this. Below is a trace to the destination server. Web browing seems unaffected, as is Skype and Ventrillo (VOIP)
tracert 206.112.64.6
Tracing route to 206.112.64.6 over a maximum of 30 hops
1     5 ms     3 ms     3 ms BThomehub.home [192.168.1.254]
2     7 ms     8 ms     7 ms 217.32.147.99
3     9 ms     7 ms    10 ms 217.32.147.126
4    12 ms    12 ms    12 ms 212.140.235.202
5    13 ms    13 ms    12 ms 217.41.169.225
6    13 ms    12 ms    13 ms 217.41.169.109
7    13 ms    12 ms    12 ms 109.159.251.209
8    25 ms    26 ms    28 ms core2-te0-3-0-13.ealing.ukcore.bt.net [109.159.2
51.37]
9    19 ms    19 ms    19 ms transit2-xe1-1-0.ealing.ukcore.bt.net [62.6.200.
142]
10    21 ms    21 ms    18 ms t2c4-xe-9-0-0.uk-eal.eu.bt.net [166.49.168.49]
11    21 ms    21 ms    19 ms xe-8-0-0.edge4.London2.Level3.net [212.187.192.6
1]
12    20 ms    20 ms    19 ms ae-3-3.ebr1.London1.Level3.net [4.69.141.189]
13    20 ms    20 ms    20 ms vlan102.ebr2.London1.Level3.net [4.69.143.90]
14    93 ms    89 ms    89 ms ae-43-43.ebr1.NewYork1.Level3.net [4.69.137.74]
15    90 ms    89 ms    99 ms ae-4-4.ebr1.NewYork2.Level3.net [4.69.141.18]
16    97 ms    96 ms    89 ms ae-1-51.edge2.NewYork2.Level3.net [4.69.138.195]
17    89 ms    89 ms    89 ms Verizon-level3-2x10g.NewYork.Level3.net [4.68.62
.42]
18    99 ms    99 ms   144 ms 0.xe-7-1-0.XT2.DCA6.ALTER.NET [152.63.6.117]
19   111 ms   100 ms   100 ms 0.xe-6-0-0.XT1.DCA6.ALTER.NET [152.63.40.49]
20   101 ms   100 ms   100 ms so-0-0-0.ur1.iad6.web.wcom.net [157.130.59.70]
21   100 ms    99 ms    99 ms 206.112.64.142
22   100 ms   100 ms   100 ms 206.112.64.6

I'm not decorating my house in lead emulsion No problems with wireless connectivity since the week-long problem that BT caused back in March or whenever it was and since them my connections been solid. Like I said, it doesnt affect VOIP connections (I game while using Ventrilo) which may or may not be less sensetive to a temporary loss of connectivity.
if BT want to move my socket somewhere more appropriate then fine. Not many people people i'd imaging have a computer in the front hallway of their house, next to the front door. besides, what's the point of providing a wireless router if not for convenience
Either its a BT socket problem (inside the box are 2-3 loose wires not connected to anything) or its a wider network problem between me and the server.

Similar Messages

IPlate/Master Socket, Help Needed!

(Before i start this is my first post so sorry if i mess something up )
Hi,
I want to install a BT Iplate but i have a Master socket that is not supported. (Pic below)
Is there any chance i can change my master socket to the one below so i can install an iplate?

Hi Eaglealex7,
The newer Openreach BTNTE5 master socket already filters interference from extension sockets. Pre-filtered ADSL/VDSL master sockets also already filters interference from extension sockets.
if you have a look at this link here it will tell you what Master sockets work with the iplate / Accelerator : http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?topicId=25075
The accelerator/iplate can sometimes cause more issues in some cases. Have a look at removing the BellWire/Ring wire from terminal 3 of your master socket and extension sockets which does the same thing as the accelerator/iplate but sometimes more effective. Link : bellwire removal
Cheers
jac_95 | BT.com Help Site | BT Service Status
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Request to resite Master socket-using external wir...

Sorry its a similar post, however these are my specific questions.
Engr coming this friday to install BT Infinty fibre service.Modem due tomorrow and Engr brings Router(I think).
My current layout is copper cable to house via BT Pole,to front of house first floor,then cable run down wall to lounge bay window and master socket is installed underneath/adjacent to bay window.(no power socket available nearby).
Lounge, hall, stairs and landing all recently replastered and redecorated.Yes I know I should had this lot installed first!
I will not accept Cat5 cable extension from downstairs to upstairs (clipped against skirting etc)and also fitting of a new twin socket outlet in the lounge.
We have a study at the rear of the house first floor where PC is installed with current Router, and sufficient sockets.
Will the nice Open Reach Engr consider the following,
1. reuse the copper wire to the house and cleat the cable run towards the rear of the property.
2. If the cable is not long enough, can he joint it-or is this a no no!(outside)
3. If 2 is not possible would he consider renewing the copper cable from pole and run it to my study(outside wall).
4. Will he drill through mortar/brick wall to gain access to study to run cable inside for less than 1 metre?
5. If he is not willing to do 4-Could I drill the hole for him!
I promise to make him unlimited tea/coffee, foot his ladder and buy loads of cake and biscuits.
If I am "kidding myself" please tell me!
Many thanks for any advice,
Regards
Graham
Solved!
Go to Solution.

graham6520 wrote:
Hi,
Many thanks for swift reply.
1. I have three sockets in the study with PC-so power sockets are not the issue!
2. I do have one"aftermarket non BT" phone socket in the study where the router/modem is currently connected to this socket. This socket is at the end of a "serial phone circuit"(ie master socket in lounge to phone in lounge to phone in kitchen then upstairs to study!).I know this route sounds long and "iffy" but its good quality cable and properly "terminated".I have had no problems whatsoever in 20 years re phone REN etc.Last time a BT Engr was at the property was summer this year and my download speed was 1.9mbps at the master socket and I asked him to test speed at the"end of my phone wiring in the study(where the router is plugged) and he confirmed same 1.9 mbps.
From this I deduced no loss on my DIY wiring!-I could be wrong-I am a novice!
the wiring will not be suitable for a master but the engineer will run a new cable then use the existing wiring just for phones
3. If the installer could just fit a master phone socket to replace my DIY existing socket in the Study, that would be fantastic and so easy! not possible
4. Please forgive my ignorance re your item 3 below, can you clarify or simplify ie does the router and modem"sit next to each other" and can they both reside in the study(if the installer can fit a master socket in the study).
master connects to modem, then modem to router, you can extend any of the cables that connect them though the best one would be modem to router as you can buy suitable cables in upto 100m length
I will be very grateful for a further update from you and other experts, this upgrade is really important to me, I am at home having lost my job through ill health 2 years ago and don't think I am well enough to drill a hole through the outside wall on a ladder with vertigo!-unless the installer refuses to drill the wall. I don't think my wife would sign off the risk assessment for me to do it! could always drill from inside, i always do, more important to have it in the right place on the inside than outside
Thanks once again,
Graham

DO I need to connect to my Master Socket?

In short, my question is ... does my home hub have to be connected to the master phone socket?
I am looking to take on BT phone, broadband and TV package but my master socket is in my kitchen. The house is 10 years old and from that master socket the builder installed other BT phone points throughout the house. Can I have the home hub connected to my livingroom socket which is obviously not the master socket but a "spur" from the master socket?
I don't fancy having the hub in my kitchen.
Thanks.

You can have the master socket moved - so Openreach engineer will do some "messing about" with your cabling and make a different socket your master.
Or you can have a data cable run from the existing master socket to a more suitable location - this is a handy option if you're unsure of the quality of your internal wiring.

Can't remove faceplate on master socket

One of the screws on my BT master socket faceplate just spins and spins and won't unscrew, so although I can unscrew one side the other side is still attached. I can pull it abut 1mm away from the backplate but that's it. If I pull hard then the backplate starts to flex away from the wall. I've tried screwing clockwise and anticlockwise, waggling the faceplate about but it won't unscrew.
This isn't a problem right now but I'm sure one day I'll need to access the test socket behind there.
Has this ever happenned to anyone before? Any tips on removing it? I obviously don't want to damage anything.

Alfie25 wrote:
Hello and thanks for the tips. What doesn't help is that the socket is only a couple of inches off floor level.
The only bit of the backplate I can see is underneath the socket. I stuck a flat blade screwdriver in here which parted the faceplate from the backplate by about 1mm but that was it. On the sides of the box if I stick a flat blade screwdriver and turn it then it just pushes the backplate away from the wall. I've also tried sticking a screwdriver in the gap between the 2 sections of the front of the socket but again with no joy - DS, is this where you mean in your 1st post? Apply pressure here then try to unscrew?
What I can't understand is if the brass insert is just spinning around inside the plastic moulding, why wont it just pull out? Or is the brass insert 'encased' in the plastic?
Yes, that bit (between front plate and back plate)
And yes, it is encased, so brute force may help it (and probably break this little piece of plastic)
-+-No longer a forum member-+-

No access to my master socket - can I still get In...

Hi, I'll try and keep this as short as possible...!
I recently ordered Infinity. The BT engineer came and couldnt install as he couldn't access my master socket. I do know where it is, as my brother-in-law and I wired up the sockets a few years back when we were refurbishing.
Unfortunately however, the master socket is about 2 foot below the floor-boards in my dining room, which is then covered with a wooden floor, which I cannot lift. From that master socket, the primary line runs underneath my house all the way to the wall at the back where it comes up into a modular plate with 1 telephone socket, (along with an ehternet port and 2x co-axials for sky) . From the master socked under the ground another secondary cable comes out at the front of the house and up to the front bedroom which services my phone and my second sky box, i.e. I need this cable to allow my sky multi-room to work.
From the master socked underground we ran ethernet cabling from there to the socket at the back of the house, so Im sure there are at least 2 pairs of wires running to that socket, possibly 6, (if we ran only 2 upstairs to the secondary socket)
Hope ive explained my setup sufficiently. Can anyone advise if Infinity can be installed on the primary line at the back of the house based on this information? Or let me know if I need to clarify anything else?
any help would be much appreciated! thanks

ok thanks.
Problem is, if they put a new master socket in, my old master will be disconnected and the lines going to the back of the house and the bedroom upstairs will be cut off, and I depend on both those lines being there for both sky boxes to work, and also for my router to link back into my network wiring which runs throuhgout the house (again all channeled into walls and under floors so not easy to change)
Ill call BT tonight and see if they'll let me order Infinity 1 then. Even if my line speed is affected, I currently have their standard broadband (which they say runs at between 3-6mbps but it doesnt), its really slow, much slower than virgin adsl line which I had previsouly, but swapped to get BT sport free So any improvement on speed will be welcomed tbh
Thanks again

Can I get my master socket moved?

I have really slow connection, partly because I live in a rural area, and also because I have my router plugged into a extension socket because the master socket is in a unreachable place (seems a bit odd o.0). I just wanted to know if I could have my master socket moved downstairs, and if so, what part of BT should I call and what will they actually do if I do get it moved. Thanks

It will be chargeable to move the master to do so you need to phone 0800800150 and get the sales peopple to arrange it being moved
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Re: Master Socket and Lightning - who pays?

...I didn't know I was responsible for BT carrying out repairs to it's own equipment. A lightning storm blew over our area. Engineer came and replaced a component inside the master socket. A surge arrester I presume. Said he had spent all day repairing patch panels damaged by the storm. Then I got a bill for £100. Ive raised a complaint.
Ive phoned 4 times and still not had a resolution. The engineer notes say that my equipment was faulty and that my equipment had caused a power surge. Both claims are false. Also, apparently a Mr Morgan was informed of the charges. That's nice, but there's no one with that name at our address. I believe a mistake had been made. Can anyone help?

This page has some guidance about charges.
http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12439/c/
If it was one of the new SSFP faceplates, then that is located after the test socket, so the customer would be liable for its replacement cost.
It looks like this
There are electronic components in this unit, which are easily damaged by surges.
There are some useful help pages here, for BT Broadband customers only, on my personal website.
BT Broadband customers - help with broadband, WiFi, networking, e-mail and phones.

"Master socket or lack of"

Ok trying to trce the phone lines
black drop line comes into the house via a door frame somewhere near the bottom of the door frame on the iside a white cable exits and on the end of this after a pass under the floor the cable ends at what looks like a BT master - single piece like an extension , cap inside and BT trumpeter logo however nothing its connected to it. My partner seems to think there is an old GPO box in the door frame!
there is an extension box on the oter side of the wall from the incoming wire which has a further extension bodged into it and on the end is the BT home hub and Vision box the phone works off the home hub
is it worth getting an eingineer in to sort it out a the master has clearly been stuck on a patched wire and the whole thing has been bodged and patched by previous occupant
Broadband is down to 1.something to a max of 3Kbps as for phone we dont have any hard wired phones to check the line.
are we liable for any charges for getting it sorted or likley to be fined for the messing about with the drop wire?
Sean

seanlyon wrote:
OK further investigation black drop wire goes into the door frame and caught in behind the standard for the door is a small white junction box, from that emerges 2 white wires, one presumably goes to the small single piece master socket, the other goes to what looks like a cheap DIY shed extension box from which comes a further extension under the floors to where the BThub is plugged, As the hub hasnt been attached to a "master" (the extension has no capacitor or anything in it) will this be contributing to the braodband speed drop off and vision not working.
As i said in OP no phones connected to the sockets so cant really test the line with a handset.
whats the best way to configure the set up for best quality
Hi
The socket that you think is the master is it possible for you to plug the Home hub into that? ensure that there is nothing else plugged into the other sockets, goto www.speedtester.bt.com and run a speed test.
I know you say that you do not have a corded phone to test the line but to ensure that you do not have a noisy line which (would cause speed issues) can you not beg/steal or borrow one?
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BT Infinity and My 3 Master Sockets!?!

Hi All,
I've had Infinity 1 for around 6 months now, but I've never come close to achieving my quoted speed of 38mbps (highest I've got is 28-29 mbps)
I'm a little concerned that this may be because of the (what seems to me) unusual wiring arrangements I inherited from the previous owners - basically, I seem to have three master sockets. I've attempted to draw a diagram of the setup:
The orange and black lines represent the A and B lines from the cabinent and connecting to each of the master sockets. The dotted line is just meant to show that this wire goes through the wall and inside the house to the master in the living room. Inside the grey box, all the cables are crimped together using jelly crimps.
The master in the living room is the new style fibre openreach box with the bt socket and rj11 socket. The other two sockets are NTE5 master sockets. All three sockets have a dial tone!
So my questions are:
1. Do I geniunely have three masters, and is this right (i.e. a perfectly ok installation or a botched job?!?)
2. Is this going to affect the speed of my Infinity connection
3. Can I disconnect the two additional master sockets (or does this break the law and I need an Openreach engineer to do it?)
Cheers,
Matt

I agree with Horner_J. A couple of extra comments ....
If not then they are wired the way you show, which is wrong. This should have been spotted and corrected at install.
Unfortunately, it is very common for the installers not to notice such incorrect wiring. In my case, I explicitly asked whether it would be an issue and was told that is would not. My speed soon dropped from 50 at install time to around 12 (and briefly to 3). When the issue was rectified, it raised to around 70 (eventually, DLM took around 3 weeks to allow it).
and using one of the extensions should make your internet drop.
I don't agree with that. It may well be that using one of the extensions will cause lots of noise and eventually give you much lower speeds, but it may well not make it drop. It didn't in my case.
If not then you need BT to do it.
Or to accidently cut the bad extension wires just after they come out of the junction box.

Identifying Master Socket trouble

Hey I'm currently having trouble with my BT line with it being extremely noise and crackly I'm try to identify my master socket so I can test to see if its my equipment/wiring or BT's problem (and I cant get an engineer out until Monday) but I can not seem to find a master socket that they describe I can only find 3 things. 2 normal sockets one in the kitchen and another in my lounge none have the BT logo as described and the one from the lounge is definitely fed from the one in the kitchen the only other thing I can find is a very small box by my bathroom window where I can see that the wire from the telegraph pole enters my house. I've opened this up but all that is in it is some wires that just seem to be terminated or go into a little connector there is no plug to test from and it doesn't match any form of master socket I've seen on the troubleshooting? I've scoured the rest of the house and outside for another socket but cant find anything do I have an unusual type of master socket? Or any suggestions to where it might be? I could link pictures of the box I'm talking about if need be.
Regards Craig

Sounds like old instalation the master sockets of differing design is the first socket the external wires connect to within the house
The external box is a BT junction box it should only be opened by bt
BT will no doubt charge you for fitting a new socket
If any post helps tick the star box on the left
Just cause Im paranoid dont mean they are not out to get me

DIY Master Socket relocation clarification - is it...

Hey Guys,
Could someone please clarify for me the legalities of moving a master socket... I work mainly in IT but a large part in my current role is switchboard maintanance which usually means running of cables etc for those companies that have yet to discover the joys of VOIP etc. As such i have all the tools, supplies and experience to run a new drop line and box from the external junction (if there is one) as i do it on private systems.
i have had need many times to move a master socket or have been asked my friends of friends if i could move one but have always believed that it was a huge no no... usually i ended up telling them to contact BT or ran an extension from it to serve the purpose. however there are times when there is a need to move one such as knocking down / moving partition walls etc and i've read a few posts on here which suggest its not such a problem now.. although understandably if i screw up and openreach need to come out and make repairs i might aswell give them my wallet and access to my bank accounts
Could anyone clarify for me ?
Many thanks in advance
Mark

Everything up to and including the master socket is the property of the BT Group plc and it is within the terms and conditions of all telephone/broadband service providers that end users take care of any network equipment within the boundary of their property.
You are not allowed to move or tamper with it, obviously no one can stop you but if you damage it and need an Openreach engineer to come out and fix it they will charge your SP, whether they then pass that charge onto you or not depends on what terms and conditions you have with your SP.
Also if you move it and it still works afterwards don't go thinking your in the clear, even if an engineer has to visit in 1 or 2 years time and can see none standard Openreach equipment has been used, i.e. a none Openreach or older BT Branded NTE has been fitted or the wrong kind of crimps or cabling then he/she will replace them and charge for the visit, regardless of whether that was the cause of the fault or not.

Master socket terminal corroded by "damp" - respon...

Hello,
I had problems with noise on the home phone. I agreed to having a BT engineer visit and if the fault was with my phone equipment I would have to pay £99. I was getting desperate so agreed.
He came, found corroded terminals on the master socket (where you plug in your phone). He replaced this and all was well again with the phone line. As this socket marks the point of demarcation with BT having responsibility from this point outwards I thought this was the end of the matter. I have just had a bill for £99 and have spoken to BT who maintain the corrosion was due to damp. The engineer did not mention damp but said it was due to the age of the socket and corrosion is what happens. The socket was the original from 1985 when the house was built.
I have found quite a few other instances of this situation on forums.
I read that there are two types of corrosion:
Oxidation, which naturally occurs on copper surfaces, that blue/green colour stuff.
Galvanic corrosion, this is caused by the copper getting moisture onto it over a prolonged period of time. The colour of that is a dirty white/grey.
It was definitely the former. The socket is on an internal wall with wallpaper around it. There is definitely not any damp on this wall.
I see in BT's Ts and Cs "You agree to look after any of our equipment. If you do not do so and the equipment is damaged other than through fair wear and tear, you will, have to pay for it to be repaired or replaced".
There has to be an underlying cause of the corrosion for it to be 'my' fault. There is not. The "damage" has not been caused by my neglegence.
I also read that it is not unknown for engineers to use the wrong clear code when closing the task.
Any thoughts on how to convince BT that they should not be charging me for this?
Thanks,
James

JimBob12 wrote:
To quote the Electrical Safety Council - "All electrical installations deteriorate with age and use"
I certainly sympathise but suspect that you're on a loser arguing with BT, because deterioration is not inevitable despite that quote. Our master socket is of similar age and similarly sited but the inside is virtually as new; the difference must be environmental. That's not to suggest you've done anything wrong, but it will be mighty difficult to get Openreach to take responsibility for it.
You can click the white star next to this message if you think it was helpful.

Pay to replace a faulty extension socket?

Our BT extension socket seems is faulty and BT says I have 2 options:
1. Buy a replacement
2. Get a BT engineer to fix it for £99
My question is: as it is BT equipment and it was installed by BT, why should I have to pay for it's replacement if it's faulty? I can hardly hear anyone at the other end of the line (including the BT customer service people) - and yet it's my problem? I don't get it.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

dcorbet wrote:
Ok - thanks for clarifying. It's faulty as the phone line is terribly crackly. I've already spoken to the help desk and they told me to remove the front plate and plug the phone into the test socket and it worked fine. When I put the plate back in the front and plugged the phone and modem back in, the problem resumed. I have booked an engineer for Friday. Thanks for your quick response to my query.
As long as you are aware that you will probaly be charged for the visit?
Openreach would more than likely just disconnect any faulty wiring on the rear of your front plat of your master socket, they would not normally replace anything.
As mentioned do you need the extension sockets?
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Current master socket in an adjacent room to study...

I'm moving house next week, with BT Infinity on order.
My master socket is in the adjacent room to where I'd like it to be. I understand the installation comes with a 30m extension kit if needed, but will the engineer be happy drilling between rooms, or do I need to do this before arrival, and if so, do I need to pre-lay cat 5/6?

PROBLEM SOLVED!
EDIT: Comments and pictures removed as requested by BT mods. How come I can discuss this but not allow to post pictures or discuss this any fruther???
After some investigation and more twiddling with trail and error. I found out that the cause of the connection was down to a loose master socket
From the image above, you can see I've moved the whole front facial to get access to the socket at the wall. The lighter shaded part was quite loose and I suspected when I put the NTE2000 in, it push the master socket back and did not make a full connection. To over come this I wedge some hard plasic behind it and put the whole unit back together. Of course I tested this in between with my modem but as you can see below the 3rd light to the right - we have the internet!
Now the next problem, did a speed test and i'm hitting 3.5mb instead of the 7mb I was hoping with this adapter. I connected the brown (orange - socket 2) wire in to see if that made a differance but is that what's effect my speed.

Can a faulty master socket cause linkdead / dropou...

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