Master socket conversion from plug in extension ki...

Hi! can anybody advise whether an extension socket kit installed by myself which simply plugs into the existing master socket (i.e. not wired in the back) can still be converted and used as the new master socket. I have the same problem it seems as many others with the current master socket nowhere near my computer.

Yes it should be able to, as long as its extending the master socket to another place (Basically yes?)
You can also ask the openreach engineer to run you a new master socket to where this extension goes. Basically they'll just run a cable where your extension cable goes, and then put a new OpenReach mastersocket there, so you wont even need your extension kit
I know BT are weird about only working on their own sockets, so this might be your only option, but the engineer should be more than happy to do it.
He'll just need to get some drop cable and just make the current master socket into a dud socket, and then put a new master socket elsewhere. (It'll be one of those unsightly Non sunken faceplates though, e.g with a backplate sticking out of the wall) so you may need to sink it into the wall yourself if its something that bothers you (Although the fact that you had an extension kit running along, i doubt it will bother you.
Is this what you mean? Or have i totally misunderstood you?

Similar Messages

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.

Removing extension from master socket?

Hi all,
Over the past month I've been having noise problems with my broadband. Engineer visited today and isolated it as the extension running from the master socket to upstairs feeding noise back so fitted an adsl splitter faceplace. All lovely, full speed broadband so very happy. Then about an hour later router disconnected and when it reconnected back to old speed with high noise.
I could live without the extension which is years old (an old BT install complete with 2 ringer sockets installed before we moved in), but cannot remove it as it's connected to the rear of the master socket. My idea is to snip the extension near the master socket and cap the wire. Just wondering if this is this a feasible course of action?!
Solved!
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Did the engineer mention a charge for the visit? as you could be liable as the fault was proven to your own wiring.
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If I have solved your Issue please click the "Mark as accepted solution" button.

How to connect Master socket and extension to fibr...

I have just had my fttp service enabled.
I watched the online video on how to connect my phone, and it says that if you don't have the special socket that allows you to switch from copper to fibre, you should just connect the phne to the modem.
I don't have the socket, just a normal phone socket right next to the modem.
How do I connect my extensions? Can I just connect my modem to the socket and go from there, or do I need to do anything else?
Sorry folks, I know very little about this stuff!

There is a guide here.
http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/37138/related/1
My guess is that you would have to disconnect your extension wiring from the old master socket, and plug it into the Tel 1 socket via a phone splitter, if you need a phone near the fibre modem.
There are a few other FTTP users on this forum, who may be able to give you more advice.
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.

Moved HH5 from BT installed extension socket to ma...

Ive had a jig around in the living room and moved the hub from extenstion to master socket .. speeds are down from 32 to 20.
Is there anything I need to have done to the socket ??
Thanks

1. Product name: BT Home Hub
2. Serial number: +068342+NQ41118352
3. Firmware version: Software version 4.7.5.1.83.8.204 (Type A) Last updated 19/01/15
4. Board version: BT Hub 5A
5. DSL uptime: 0 days, 00:33:48
6. Data rate: 7198 / 22705
7. Maximum data rate: 7579 / 27157
8. Noise margin: 6.2 / 6.7
9. Line attenuation: 27.1 / 27.2
10. Signal attenuation: 27.0 / 23.0
11. Data sent/received: 93.2 MB / 885.4 MB
12. Broadband username: [email protected]
13. BT Wi-fi: Yes
14. 2.4 GHz Wireless network/SSID: Badger Sett
15. 2.4 GHz Wireless connections: Enabled (802.11 b/g/n (up to 144 Mb/s))
16. 2.4 GHz Wireless security: WPA2
17. 2.4 GHz Wireless channel: Automatic (Smart Wireless)
18. 5 GHz Wireless network/SSID: BTHub5-HZK7 5ghz Badger
19. 5 GHz Wireless connections: Enabled (802.11 a/n/ac (up to 1300 Mb/s))
20. 5 GHz Wireless security: WPA2
21. 5 GHz Wireless channel: Automatic (Smart Wireless)
22. Firewall: Default
23. MAC Address: 34:8a:ae:c2:97:84
24. Modulation: G.993.2 Annex B
25. Software variant: AA
26. Boot loader: 1.0.0

BT Infinity 2 and Master Socket.

Hello all. We ordered our BT infinity 2 and telephone line and they said the engineer will be coming on the 13th to set things up. After looking through the installation of BT infinity I found out that it has to be connected to a master socket. This is my problem.
My master socket is located right next to my main door and there is an extention socket in my bedroom. Can I have the master socket moved during installation ? Having a bt hub where you keep your shoes looks odd. Will the engineer relocate the master socket or change the extention socket into a a master socket or I shouldn't be expecting anything ?

Reading through some of the posts, a lot of the installation depends on whether you get a decent engineer, luckily I did.
My master socket was in a downstairs room and my study / office is in the room right above it. I explained to the engineer what I wanted / needed. He was a bit hesitant as he said it meant him having to drill through an external wall, No it won't as I already have a hole that talkes an extension from the master to the study, right easy he says he could convert the extension to the master and make the old master socket the extension. Great, cup of tea and a few hob nobs later job done.
If the engineer can not do what mine did he should fit a 30m extension lead to the master socket and you can plug the hoem hub to this, my understanding is that the extension cable is pinned to skirting or wall they will not lay kit under carpet.
Good luck
Sholtie

"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?
(If I have helped you in any way to say "Thank You" please click on the star next to the message. Thank You)
If I have solved your Issue please click the "Mark as accepted solution" button.

BT Faster slow - lack of master socket the problem...

My new BT Faster FTTC broadband is not delivering the promised speed, and I hoped someone here might have some knowledgable suggestions.
I was promised a speed of 12-18Mbps down, but it's actually delivering (on first day) just over 8Mbps.
(The promised speed matches that returned by the dslchecker for my number, and the actual speed has been measured using speedtest.net as well as BT Wholesale speedtest).
Wondering if at least part of the problem is that the premises doesn't have a proper master socket. The only live sockets are "extension" sockets. I've plugged into the one of these nearest the small BT junction (?) box just inside the house to try to optimise speed.
I did warn BT that the house didn't have a proper master socket and requested an engineer install for this reason, but they insisted I try a self install of the HH5 and "see how it goes". I wonder if the speed wouldn't be improved to something closer to that promised if there was a master socket installed (an NTE5 or even a SSFP Infinity).
Any advice on how I should proceed and/or whether I should go back to BT to request they install a master socket? Any and all help would be much appreciated!
In case of any help, here are the hub stats from the "Helpdesk" view:
Product name: BT Home Hub
Serial number:
Firmware version: Software version 4.7.5.1.83.8.173.1.6 (Type A) Last updated Unknown
Board version: BT Hub 5A
VDSL uptime: 0 days, 03:02:33
Data rate: 1257 / 9395
Maximum data rate: 1257 / 8953
Noise margin: 6.1 / 6.0
Line attenuation: 0.0 / 35.2
Signal attenuation: 0.0 / 27.6
Data sent/received: 39.0 MB / 229.6 MB

Thanks for the reply John. The checkers are still giving me the same results as yesterday, screengrabs now attached:
1. Product name:   BT Home Hub
2. Serial number:   +
3. Firmware version:   Software version 4.7.5.1.83.8.204 (Type A) Last updated 28/02/15
4. Board version:   BT Hub 5A
5. DSL uptime:   0 days, 00:33:28
6. Data rate:   1261 / 9260
7. Maximum data rate:   1269 / 9293
8. Noise margin:   6.2 / 6.1
9. Line attenuation:   14.9 / 36.5
10. Signal attenuation:   14.9 / 28.6
11. Data sent/received:   13.4 MB / 188.7 MB

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

BT Infinity and the Master Socket - will they / wo...

It seems that they won't. Well not unless you pay. Like many others posting on this forum, I was seduced by Infinity, but then confused by the requirements of installation in respect of the utilisation of the master socket and subsequent location of equipment. My house is typical of the problem - master socket downstairs front of house - wanted equipment sited upstairs back of house. Didn't want an extension draped around the place. I needed to know: 1. Can the master socket be moved? 2. If it can be, is this part of the istallation? 3. If it is not part of the standard installation is there a cost associated with it? 4. What is the cost? Sounds straightforward - it wasn't. I won't bore you with the frustrations of BT customer services, these are well documented elsewhere on the forum. Suffice to say, I have decided not to go ahead with my order. Not because of the content of the eventual reply, but because these frustrations. Anyway, I did eventually get a response by using the complaints route - as BT seen unwilling to share this information, I have. Hope it helps. RESPONSE FROM BT COMPLAINTS DEPARTMENT: The power needs to be plugged into the master socket so that the engineer can plug in your new Hub and Openreach fibre modem. If you haven't, no problem. Your engineer can run an Ethernet extension cable (up to 30 metres long) from where you can plug in your Hub and Openreach fibre modem back to your phone master socket. This extension can only go along walls - not under carpets or floors. If this is not suitable we can arrange a shift to be done, to move your master socket to a position of your choice. This would involve a one-off cost of £130.00. So there you have it.

@john46
'the engineer can convert an existing extension into a master for free or run a data extension also free'
Depends on the type of cable really, if its 'phone wire', you know those thin strands of copper coated steel then that would kill the broadband.
Also most peoples extensions are the untwisted 10, 15, 25, etc metres reels you can buy from a supermarket, again not ideal for ADSL Broadband, let alone FTTC.

No dial tone/power to master socket but infinity s...

Monday afternoon we had a phone call on the line to let use know the Sky engineer was on his way to fit a new HD box, we then had a storm hit for around and hour. At 5pm we went to make a call and our cordless phones (fitted to diy extension) had no dial tone. We then went and put the phone base station in to the master socket that has the new infinity faceplate on it. Plugged into the bottom slot and no dial tone We then went out and purchased a £10 corded phone and plugged into the slot on the master socket, no dial tone and no power being supplied to the hand set to operate memory functions/lights etc etc Strange thing is Infinity still works fine.
Called up to log an engineer visit and told that if the fault is found with my wiring it will cost £130 :/ am I right in thinking that everything coming into the house and terminating at the master socket is BT's responsibility ? and the fact that I have had 2 phones hard wired into the master socket as evident that it is the socket or cab thats at fault?
Just want to check this as every email/phone conversation/text message, keeps saying it will cost me £130 if no fault found or with my wiring.
And £130 for a call out is a bit steep if there was no fault ! or is that just me?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Engineer has been and gone ! says it is a problem with the Infinity socket, when he takes it off he can get a dial tone but when he puts the face plate back on we lose the dial tone again. He said he will have to get an Infinity engineer out, could be today but might not, which means Monday or Tuesday
Does not look good after my last BT experience......
http://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Infinity/Customer-Service-DOES-NOT-EXIST/m-p/157427#M3551

New infinity install with a master socket move - w...

As I understand it, Infinity requires a modem plugged in directly to the master socket & a power point adjacent also. This is of no use to me at all & I would like the master socket moved. Now, from what I read here, BT will do this "officially" for £130, or on an infinity install, the openreach engineer *might/should* do it if it is straightforward.
I plan to run cat 5e cable from the master socket location, up a cable run we have in the property to the new location where I want the master socket to be located, leaving both ends unconnected. Then it should be simple enough for the engineer to connect at each end and then carry on working from the new master socket location. Maybe they could even use the second pair in the cat 5e to reconnect the original set of phone sockets we have around the house that are currently connected from the existing master socket.
Could someone advise please...
1. Is cat 5e cable the correct cable to use?
2. Does my plan sound viable? Is it technically correct?
3. Could the second pair in the cat 5e be used in the way I have described? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the reply & welcome Michael.
Some subsidiary questions then please.
1. Should I run a different sort of cable other than 5e? If so, what would be the correct type?
2. Your very helpful diagram suggests that BT would surface run up to 30m from the Master Socket to the modem. My cable run would be much less than this. Would I be better to run cable myself (in my cable run) to be used as the connection from the master socket to the modem? If so, what sort of cable should it be please & does it need to have a connecting plug on the end of it (where it plugs into the master socket) or will the OpenReach engineer fit this him/herself. I guess if they surface run cable they will be able to attach the plugs on the end of the cable. What sort of connection is it?
Thanks for you time - and for anyone else's who replies.
I should also say I am not bothered if the Master Socket is moved, AS LONG as the modem & router (home hub) are NOT located adjacent to the current position of the Master Socket. I estimate the direct cable run required if I run the cable will be no,more than 15 metres.

Master Socket - Modem - Hub/Router cabling

BT sales (and I tried to get through to their technical support) have unfortunately not been able to answer the question. Due to the layout I will need to lay the data extension cable from master socket to modem up the wall and under the floorboards upstairs, which the engineer will not do. Please can somebody confirm the below are the correct cables : 1. Master Socket <----- RJ11 male to RJ11 male ethernet cable (6 pin, 4 connectors) -----> Openreach Modem 2. Openreach Modem <---- RJ45 male to RJ45 male ethernet cable -----> Hub/Router

If you do go for Webby's suggestion on the Homeplugs get the 200Mbps type or faster.
http://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Infinity/BT-Infinity-Running-Internal-Cable-V-s-Powerline-Ethernet/td-...
I'm having a look for cable posts.
Here is one confirming type from Dean a BT Forum Mod.- http://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Infinity/Wall-to-modem-extension-cable-AFTER-install/m-p/325391#M17980
I'll look for some more and add as an edit.
http://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Infinity/ethernet-cable/td-p/391177 cat 6e cable "Yes, its just a higher grade with foil screening."
Deltaflyer wrote "from the homehub to modem, any decent cat5/cat5a/cat6 cable will do. as for the rj11 cable to phone socket, if you know a good i.t. guru, he could knock you up a cat5 cable with rj11 connectors at each end to your specific length, or, if you don't know an i.t. guru, you could scout the net for the cable. I use such a cable and it is far superior to the one supplied by bt.
Also, if you feel competent & have the tools,you could do it yourself. i posted howto do this previously, so a quick search with my moniker should find it"
http://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Infinity/Question-re-Ethernet-cable-going-from-HH3-to-Modem/td-p/34928...
And in Rottie's reply there is a link to some cable with connectors.-
http://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Infinity/Cabling-question/td-p/379441
Please Click On any Text in Blue as that automatically links to information.
PC (NDEGR)

2 master sockets and only one needed

Hi
The homes orginial master socket is upstairs in a box room. Downstairs in the extension is another master socket which was installed by my ex-employer for work related matters only.
The problem I have is that with the Home Hub 3 router being upstairs I cannot get Wifi in the extension which is the one place I need it. I'm trying to weigh up the costs of buying a BT wifi hotspot and extender versus moving the home landline line numberto the master socket in the extension (formerly paid for by the company).
Any advice at all would be appreciated.
Many Thanks
Andy

Welcome to the forum
Using one of the BT extenders would work out cheaper, and would not involve Openreach changing the routing, with the possibility that it may go wrong.
If you can use an Ethernet connection upstairs, then there are cheaper Powerline devices that do not have wifi capability.
If you decided to add wifi at a later date, then you can always plug in a wireless access point.
There are some examples on this page http://forumhelp.dyndns.info/networking/netcons1.html
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.

Is it possible to re-locate my master socket for i...

I want to get BT infinity in my home but there are no power sockets near my master socket.
My question is: Will it be possible to re-locate my master phone socket to upstairs near where my current router is and where there is power sockets?

Common misconception.
You do not need power sockets next to your master socket.
They will route a new Cat5 cable from the master socket upto 30metres away. Wherever you want your router is were you need power points.
They can convert an existing extension into the master socket but that will all depend on the quality of the extension.
The BT engineer that fits the extensions are VERY helpful and will suggest the best route for your connection.
On the installation date, just ask, and you will usually get.
If I helped, then consider clicking the star to the left

Master socket conversion from plug in extension ki...

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