Telephone Extensions etc

[Pete C]

Can anybody tell me which is the best forum to post to about Telephone extension wiring. This has nothing to do with Sky, Home Cinema, or Networking just a BT system.

[wormvortex]

probably this forum

[mickevh]

There are a few people in the computer networking forum that know their onions about telephone wiring. I doubt they'll stick pins in you for asking.

[Pete C]

I’ve a problem with a house that used to have two lines, one of which had several extensions and one of which had none. The house had been built with 1 master socket and 4 extensions and when the second line was requested an engineer came and connected something in the master socket and then fitted a double socket in another room which he said was the second line (only connection) and a socket for the original line. The original line was later disconnected leaving the second line with only one outlet. I would now like to connect up all the extensions to this line but don’t know where to start! I have looked in the master socket (at least I believe it is this) and drawn a sketch diagram of the wiring (attached), however, when I opened it up a small drum shaped component fell out which had a leg on each side this had the following ID: KBA 8911B H3. It’s absence does not make any difference to the existing phone line.

[Ethics Gradient]

DIY sheet on adding a new extension to a master socket should help:

Adding extensions

Read through and note the wires, then connect them over.

Might be an idea to buy a new master socket yourself and redo the wireing from scratch.... at least that way you should have it all covered.

[mickevh]

Originally Posted by Ethics Gradient

Might be an idea to buy a new master socket yourself and redo the wireing from scratch.... at least that way you should have it all covered.

Er, isn't that illegal? (Or at least a breach of the TelCo T&C's.)

I think there are a couple of former BT engineers in the computer/networks forum. I really would ask there.

[Pete C]

Thanks for both replies.

I've loked at the "adding extensions" and there is still a lot from my original message which I would like explaining before I went ahead and tried to follow the guide let alone put a new box in.

As regards the former BT engineers any idea who they are?

Last year I tried to solve this problem by ring up BT but all I got was some who spoke poor English and told me that what I wantedto do was not possible. I also spoke to a private company who wanted to charge me £150 before they'd even done anything. So DIY is my only resort.

[Ethics Gradient]

Another thread that may be helpful

[Ethics Gradient]

Originally Posted by mickevh

Er, isn't that illegal? (Or at least a breach of the TelCo T&C's.)

I think there are a couple of former BT engineers in the computer/networks forum. I really would ask there.

Not a BT engineer myself - But an ex telco one that's worked with a few .. and the consenous was that they won't spot it or you can blame a previous owner etc should they ever query it.... it's not like it's taking the tails out of the electric distribution box.

[Pete C]

Al the information so far is great but before i do anyhting I have a few things I'm not sure about.
Firstly, I mentioned that when I opened up Master socket a componenet fell out, which from looking at the information already received, is a surge protector. So where should this be connected?

Secondly, what would the engineer have done in the Master socket to give a second line and what do I need to do to rectify this (If anything)?

Thirdly, what do I have to do at the double socket to give me two socket on the same line?