Moving a BT phone socket

wdywuk

Bought a new house and the BT phone socket (the white box) is in an upstairs small bedroom.

Now, I want to move that downstairs (say to the living room, hallway) partly for ease (and proximity to a power point) but also to allow connection to a sky box that I am hoping to install.

I am not a BT customer at the moment. The previous owners had NTL and there is an NTL "white box" in the living room.
I was told that there is no connection between the two phone points.

My question(s) are:

a) Does this require BT to do this - or can anyone do this (not prepared to climb a ladder myself)

b) How much do BT charge - would it be the £125ish that they quote for installing a new line

mepone9

get a electrician to do it, easy job just run phone cable from existing point to where you want the new phone point

Scottie_2

If the previous owners were on NTL you will need to be reconnected to BT. Diy stores sell extension kits but given your aversion to ladders it may be easier to get a professional in.

star1_2

Phone points are easy ....

Your phone company will provide your incomming line on two cables .... one will be connected to connection 2, and the other on connection 4. (the numbered connections on the back of the socket)

Your extensions are then connected from connection 2 (from the master) to connection 2 on the extension, and connection 4 (from the master) to connection 4 on the extension, and then also connect 3 (on the master) to connection 3 at the extension. Master sockets are denoted by being of a split type design that has a removable lower part (that you attach the onward extension wiring to), or a faceplate with capacitors on the back. Extensions do not have any capacitors.

You can repeat this as many times as you wish, either directly from the master, or onwards from extensions. The only thing you need to make sure is that the REN (Ringer equilivant number do not exceed 3-4 REN), as thats about the maximum voltage that the phone company provides. Unless a device specifies it, assume that a phone, an answering machine etc - each has a REN of 1.0

Now - turning to your instalation .... It sounds like you need to join the wiring, so all points are live on the BT cabling, and you wish to disconnect NTL. To do this you'll need to run a length of 4 core (called 2 pair) cable, between the two points - but then disconnect the reduntant suppliers incomming cabling. For neatness this should be done at the master socket, so as to leave the suppliers cable terminated on the master. If necessary install a new secondary socket.

The parts for this shoud'nt cost much, around £10 for a drum of cable, and about £3 per socket.

If you have any questions or I can help - just PM me, or post a question.

Hope that helps.

Ditto

I do not know why you need a ladder.
As star1 says it easy to add additional sockets, you can buy them from B&Q with instructions on the back - plus you have access to the internet, the font of all knowledge!
You might require cable grips/stapler to keep the cable tidy unless you are putting the cable under a carpet.

Do a google search for more detailed instructions.

wdywuk

James's_Dad wrote:

I do not know why you need a ladder.
.

The BT socket is in a 1st floor room, the wire goes from the mast to that room (roofline) and then down to the room.

Normally I would expect it to go down to a living room.

I am assuming that I want all this external phone line to be re-directed, rather than having loads of extension leads around the hallway into rooms etc.

flang

Btw you can have 3 phone sockets running off one phone line so y not just spur off your existing socket, its a real simple job!

Micklebring

You can have as many sockets as you like. You can only have upto 4 REN which stands for Ringer Equivalence Number. A cheap and cheerful handset will probably have a REN of 1 but most answerphones and cordless phones have a REN of 1.5 or greater.

You can have more but the other phones will tinkle when you dial.

You cannot move your original BT master socket (well, not contractually anyway) but you can spring any number of additional sockets from it. Shop around for extensions. We have a local electrical parts retailer (All Types Electric in Rotherham. No connection but too cheap to be believed) who sell cable by the foot and sockets for coppers. DO NOT BUY from BT shops, B&Q, PC World et al. They'll rob you.