Microfilters are Important for a Great Broadband Connection

patwa_2

Hi just to add my agreement with this sentiment. We had one microfilter connected to the upstairs extension with Tiscali and it worked fine. Moved to TalkTalk (8Mb up from 2Mb) and suddenly the modem would not find an ADSL signal.

Installed a microfilter on the master socket, and after looking at an online diagram, realised the upstairs filter was incorrectly placed in relation to the other extensions/doublers. Changed it to the way it should be and now all works fantastically.

So yes, sometimes it can be a sinple issue. BTW, one symptom that indicates possible microfilter trouble is the ADSL light on the modem flashing, or connecting and then disconnecting after a few seconds. the lack of microfilters or their incorrect placement especially with higher ADSL speeds can make the signal strength fluctuate wildly giving the above symptom.

H.

creditcardshuffler

I have a work colleague who repairs and builds computers and he is always really busy after lightening storms replacing "BLOWN" modems etc.
I now use an 6 gang electricity socket thingy with surge protection to protect my computer and printer etc. I also have my cat5 extension cable plugged into this surge protector and then onto the router.

• My question is.........
• is this necessary
• is this recommended practice

I realize that the more connections that are made will reduce the quality of any signal but is it worth the risk of losing a router to lightning just to gain a little more line speed???

I shall have to test my line speed now with and without this setup and post back later:rolleyes:

deefadog

That's a good point actually, never thought of protecting the incoming cable.

I have a power extension gang but not for the telephone, can you get these seperatly?

RocketMagnet

Where posible always plug your router directly into your master socket - minimise any cable extensions length as much as possible if you have to use em.
I'd run a long network cable rather than a long extension and site the router near the main socket.

Yeah alot of surge protector strips come with phone protection. Site the strip near the socket and make up as short as possible phone extension to the strip protector and plug your filter into the strip. When you think about it - if all your pcs are on surge protectors but are connected to a router physically by a network cable its a route in for a surge. So Wireless does have an advantage in this instance.

Savings_Dave

I've only had one incident with a cheap ADSL microfilter (which was faulty) and do prefer the BT ones...I've set up many broadband connections for people over the years and its sometimes tricky getting things right what with extensions, filters, converters and adaptors :mad: also the number of other devices you have on your phone line can affect your broadband connection / DSL signal. Always best to unplug all phones first and just start with the modem / router.

Today I've been moving my router, telephone and network cables as I have a Netgear Gigabyte Switch on the way...

Please bear in mind that surge protectors do not protect your from direct lightning strikes...a bolt of lightning can carry several million volts. They are a must to protect from noise, surges and spikes. I have four surge protectors (a mix of Belkin, Stanley and MicroMark). My phone line is plugged into one of them (I recommend you do this if your protector has a telephone input)...the BT microfilter is connected to this via the output and I have a 2m DSL cable running to the router. Thankfully everything is now working fine after the move and cable changes.

[Deleted User]

RocketMagnet wrote: »

Where posible always plug your router directly into your master socket - minimise any cable extensions length as much as possible if you have to use em.
I'd run a long network cable rather than a long extension and site the router near the main socket.

I can't even do that as I don't have any power outlets near the master BT socket

bathgatebuyer

I have a similar situation. 3 days ago I suddenly lost the ability to connect to Talk Talk whome I've been with for a few years now. At times the Speedtouch Modem I use is showing the ADSL light as flashing, although I've managed to connect twice in the past few days - after about 20 or 30 times of rebooting and unplugging, etc. The Error says 'No dial tone' although there has not been a problem previously - the suggested solution on the website is to connect directly to the master socket - which isn't near a power socket.

hamish72_2

LOST wrote: »

all six sockets have a telephone attached - but only 4 of those telephones are ever used regularly - so I could just unplug the unused ones if its going to cause probs

Never mind how many filters you may have to many phones check their Rens

Ringer Equivalence Number (REN)
This system was introduced at the same time as the Plug and Socket system to reduce problems with too many telephones on one line circuit. This is because customers could then connect any approved (and unapproved) apparatus into the new style sockets.
The REN value is based on the impedance of the ringer circuit and the current consumption, when idle, of the telephone.
Each telephone is given a REN value and the total REN of a BT line is assumed to be 4. The standard BT telephone No. 746 (with a 4000 ohm ringer) has a REN of 1. It can therefore be assumed that 4 of these telephones can be fitted with no problems.
Problems
The REN value can be misleading. Sometimes if different telephones are mixed, this can cause ringing problems. Mixing magneto bells and electronic ringers will no doubt cause lots of problems as the magneto ringers tend to hog the current. Mixing GPO Trimphones with any other telephone is a no – no.
The answer is to try and see what happens and work from there.
Remember, that the REN is only generally relevant for incoming calls and telephones need not be counted if the ringer is disabled.

lauraocal

Can I just suggest that all extension cables are removed from the line... set up like this....
Master socket - Microfilter - DSL cable & extension for phones. Try not to put too much on the one socket as you'll get problems.
Static or a poor phone line indicates microfilter issues too.

espresso

lauraocal wrote: »

Can I just suggest that all extension cables are removed from the line... set up like this....
Master socket - Microfilter - DSL cable & extension for phones. Try not to put too much on the one socket as you'll get problems.
Static or a poor phone line indicates microfilter issues too.

Not true, the best way is to use one ADSL filter to cover the whole property. Too many filters can cause problems!