BT Faceplate

[D-Dan]

I currently have a filtered faceplate on my master socket. It is a dual (DSL and phone) faceplate, though the phone side has never been used since my phone is plugged into a hardwired extension. However, in the past three months my net speed has dropped by 15Mb/s (I know, most people would give their right arm form a connection equal to my loss) from 72 Mb/s to 54 Mb/s give or take a Mb.

I’m on Infinity 2

Following another issue in the past 24 hours I’ve had cause to speak to BT, and I raised this as an aside. Apparently, I’m supposed to be on a guaranteed 69 Mb/s minimum. Their own tests bear my own out, being 54Mb/s.

Now, on the off chance that the problem is north of the master socket BT side (i.e. I don’t want to pay £120 engineer fee if it will cost me £10 for a new faceplate and DSL cable), I’ve logged the fault but have it pending my own checks.

So, best replacement filtered faceplate for a BT master socket that’s still available (found a few, none available anymore)?

3, 2, 1 —— Go.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[JayCeeDee]

If you had ADSL, the procedure I’d advise would be as below, but fibre, I’ve had no experience of. It’s likely the same as the wiring goes to the Master socket first. The procedure would show where the fault lies, out to the exchange, or on your wiring.

Your second socket ( with the corded phone ) should be wired from the “removable” part of the face-plate. Unscrew the faceplate and take the front section ( sometimes 2 )   off. This should give you just the back-plate box ( about an inch deep with a telephone socket on display.) Plug an old style filter into it and then plug your modem cable into that. Measure your speed and see what’s what from there. If it’s still low, the problem is outside, if it’s back to top speed, the problem’s within your set-up.

This BT Master socket was designed for fault location, ie inside the customer’s premises, or outside to line.

 

EDIT – I’ve just put “Filtered Faceplate” into Amazon and loads of results came up. Just choose the one that looks most like the one you’ve already got.

[D-Dan]

On the plus side, we have isolated the problem to either outside, or faceplate/dsl cable. Oddly, since I posted I decided to try the test socket with a filter dongle, and that’s when I found the chewed screw head. So, I can’t currently remove the faceplate until I get some new screws. That’s weekend.

 

EDIT: The extension is wired from the BT side, not my side. It’s built in to the apartment.

 

EDIT 2: I did the same on Amazon, and many are no longer available, and how the hell do I know which is worth buying. Hence the request 🙂

 

Still, a new faceplate for the sake of a few quid won’t hurt, even if it’s just as a backup.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[JayCeeDee]

The first half dozen I came across on THIS page are all in stock and some are Prime delivery. Solwise is a recognised name. If I was looking, I’d go for THIS one.

 

All extensions come off the subscriber side of the Master Socket – see YT video HERE. ( Or they did when I was with BT back in the 90’s. A while ago, but the Master Sockets are the same.)

[D-Dan]

Well, had a look at the test socket and the master socket has signs of damage. Gonna take a punt on replacing myself (cheaper than £130 for BT to do it), so replacement ordered. Should arrive tomorrow.

Pis shows the damage. At least this way I have internet for the time being. No phone, but who cares.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[JayCeeDee]

I know it’s only going to be a one-off use, but for the sake of a couple of quid, get one of THESE to connect the wires, the plastic ones are useless.

 

Glad the process worked. Also, quick tip, take a photo of your current wiring connections, on the face-plate and inside the back-plate, and maybe mark one cable “i/c feed” and the other “extension”.

 

EDIT – is your internet back to full speed now??

[D-Dan]

I already have an insertion tool with cutter from when I fitted the faceplate (for the extension wiring).

Trust me, I intend to take photographs, there are a bucket load of wires back there (most not connected, and probably includes support wires).

Not back up to full speed, but since the damage is all around the test socket I can’t rely on it. I’ll know better tomorrow after the new one is fitted. (not lost any speed, either. Just the same).

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[JayCeeDee]

Good to hear. Good luck.?

[Author]

Posts