Phone ringing fault - possible BT £130 charge

Parkhall · 31 August 2017 at 9:53AM

My phone will not ring properly when connected to the normal socket. When I plug it into the test socket it rings perfectly.

So I assume that the fault must be in the Openreach master socket and I reported this to BT via their chatline. The BT guy suggests that the problem could be "my wiring" and that they would charge £130 if this is the case.

Surely the problem must be within the master socket and hence it must be BT's responsibility to fix it ?

Neil_Jones · 31 August 2017 at 10:08AM

If the phone works fine in the hidden test socket (when you take the bottom part of the master socket off) but not when the bottom part is connected then the problem is on your side.

What taking the bottom of the master socket off does is disconnect the extensions that are wired into the back of the socket. If your phone didn't work connected to the test socket then it's a BT issue. The socket is designed this way for this reason.

If the master socket / cable to the master socket was at fault the phone wouldn't ring at all, nor would you get a dial tone.

Parkhall · 31 August 2017 at 10:15AM

Thanks Neil. So is it possible that I have a fault on an extension line ?

Browntoa · 31 August 2017 at 10:34AM

yes, if you look on the back of the plug in facia that goes into the test socket your extension wiring is there , there should be wires on connectors number 2 and 5 (3 used to be used for the "bell" wire but no longer needed

http://www.wppltd.demon.co.uk/WPP/Wiring/UK_telephone/uk_telephone.html

Browntoa · 31 August 2017 at 10:35AM

see here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaKTUF4UoEI

you don't need the special tool , a small flathead screwdriver will push the wires in

Parkhall · 31 August 2017 at 10:48AM

Thanks Neil & Browntoa - very useful to understand this.

I disconnected an old trailing extension lead which was connected to an extension socket in a back bedroom and the phone seems to be ringing fine now. I'm guessing a bit of corrosion at the socket/plug caused the problem.

cajef · 31 August 2017 at 1:42PM

Browntoa wrote: »

you don't need the special tool , a small flathead screwdriver will push the wires in

Sorry but have got to disagree with that, a screwdriver can and often does splay the connectors apart and can cause further problems, just buy a cheap IDC connection tool.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IDC-PUSH-DOWN-INSERTION-TOOL-RJ45-NETWORK-AND-BT-TELEPHONE-CABLE-SOCKETS-KRONE-/231871541214?epid=1088865332&hash=item35fc9eefde:g:5KIAAOSwh-1W3-xz

teddysmum · 31 August 2017 at 2:57PM

If there is an unsolvable without engineer problem, it's probably cheaper to buy a set of connected cordless phones, so no extension is required.

Mister_G · 31 August 2017 at 3:04PM

Remember that cordless phones do not work in a power cut.

decbel · 14 September 2017 at 10:34PM

Parkhall wrote: »

My phone will not ring properly when connected to the normal socket. When I plug it into the test socket it rings perfectly.

So I assume that the fault must be in the Openreach master socket and I reported this to BT via their chatline. The BT guy suggests that the problem could be "my wiring" and that they would charge £130 if this is the case.

Surely the problem must be within the master socket and hence it must be BT's responsibility to fix it ?

The problem lies in an extension/s.

They start at £130.............£

Phone ringing fault - possible BT £130 charge

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