iPlate and Phone problems

Tacitus · Oct 31, 2008, 07:54:07

Not strictly related to iDNet but here goes.

The other day I tried fitting an iPlate for a friend. Did it all as per the book, but afterwards the main phone - plugged directly into the NT5 let out a screech, rather like feedback - when it was put back on the hook. Couldn't fix it or find out the cause of the problem so I took the iPlate out and replaced all back to normal.

However, the extension phones don't now work, no dial tone nothing. Simple you might think. Loose wire needs replacing, but the modem which is on the same extension line chugs away as if nothing has happened. Since I only fiddled with the NTE5, I would expect all to work or none. The phone plugged in to the NTE5 works OK, since that is straight through.

Any ideas? I'm wondering if the ring wire came loose, but surely this wouldn't affect the dial tone.

kinmel · Oct 31, 2008, 09:06:51

Will you confirm that you have connected the extension wires to terminals 2 (usually blue/white) and 5 (white/blue)

The bell wire is terminal 3 (orange/white)

Rik · Oct 31, 2008, 10:02:25

It's possible for ADSL to 'jump' a small break in the wire, while the voice side cannot. Is the ADSL speed down a bit?

Tacitus · Oct 31, 2008, 11:03:20

Quote from: kinmel on Oct 31, 2008, 09:06:51
Will you confirm that you have connected the extension wires to terminals 2 (usually blue/white) and 5 (white/blue)

The bell wire is terminal 3 (orange/white)

Yes the wiring is as standard...

Quote from: Rik on Oct 31, 2008, 10:02:25
It's possible for ADSL to 'jump' a small break in the wire, while the voice side cannot. Is the ADSL speed down a bit?

No it looks more or less as normal - not sufficient change to make me think something is wrong. I did wonder about a break in a wire somewhere at the back of the box. A b.....r to find without completely renewing the cable which would be a major task. I'll have another look later on.

Rik · Oct 31, 2008, 11:08:02

It may be as simple as removing and replacing the wires with an IDC tool, Tac. Possibly one of the connections hasn't made properly.

Tacitus · Oct 31, 2008, 11:29:49

Quote from: Rik on Oct 31, 2008, 11:08:02
It may be as simple as removing and replacing the wires with an IDC tool, Tac. Possibly one of the connections hasn't made properly.

I went through them before I put the plate back Rik, so I'm inclined to the broken wire theory. Still like to know what caused the screeching sound though. It sounded like feedback as the nearer the phone got to the rest the louder it became. Very odd.

The extensions were installed by an ex BT bloke, who should have known what he was doing...

Sebby · Oct 31, 2008, 11:35:09

I thought the whole point of the iPlate is that no wiring has to be touched, so I don't see why fitting it should have caused this. You can sometimes get this kind of buzz when wires 2 and 5 are round the wrong way, but as you haven't touched those, I'm a bit baffled.

Rik · Oct 31, 2008, 11:38:32

Possibly the wires dislodged or broke when moved, Seb, old cables can get quite brittle.

Sebby · Oct 31, 2008, 11:39:46

That's true.

Inactive · Oct 31, 2008, 11:49:26

Quote from: Rik on Oct 31, 2008, 11:38:32
old cables can get quite brittle.

Vince wouldn't be happy to hear that..

Rik · Oct 31, 2008, 11:52:57

Inactive · Oct 31, 2008, 11:55:38

Tacitus · Oct 31, 2008, 12:05:50

Quote from: Sebby on Oct 31, 2008, 11:35:09
I thought the whole point of the iPlate is that no wiring has to be touched, so I don't see why fitting it should have caused this. .........

My thoughts entirely. Simple job I thought, but it's building into a right saga.

Rik · Oct 31, 2008, 12:08:13

I didn't realise you were a Viking, Tac.

hairyman · Oct 31, 2008, 21:54:40

Quote from: Rik on Oct 31, 2008, 12:08:13
I didn't realise you were a Viking, Tac.

Ref Saga , maybe Tac is over 50?

I use them for all my insurance needs now I am nearer to 100 than 0 yrs old.

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 04:54:28

In's so old he's on his third Saga.

Inactive · Nov 01, 2008, 09:04:36

Quote from: Rik on Nov 01, 2008, 04:54:28
In's so old he's on his third Saga.

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 10:58:25

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Inactive · Nov 01, 2008, 11:08:19

I'll let you off.

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 11:10:49

Tacitus · Nov 01, 2008, 12:00:08

Quote from: Rik on Oct 31, 2008, 12:08:13
I didn't realise you were a Viking, Tac.

Late back to this thread but.... I'm the one with a red beard

Been back to check the setup. It turned out to be a broken wire although the insulation was intact. Once I tried easing it out of its seating the wire broke completely. Reseat both it and nos 3 and 5 (iPlate filters 3) and job done. All is back to normal with a slightly higher sync although not enough to get excited about.

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 12:01:14

There you go, classic 'ADSL leap'.

Tacitus · Nov 01, 2008, 12:18:34

Quote from: Rik on Nov 01, 2008, 12:01:14
There you go, classic 'ADSL leap'.

I was surprised it's possible since I imagined either it 'all' worked or it didn't.

You might be able to tell me, what size are the machine screws that are used on NTE5s? Are they 3mm or 3.5mm? In the absence of either, I once tried using self tappers but the brass insert must have been strong as it chewed the thread off the screw and ruined the whole box.

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 12:23:36

Absolutely no idea, Tac.

The 'leaping' phenomenon is down to the voice circuit being DC, and needing and 'end to end' connection. The ADSL, otoh, operating at radio frequencies can jump across - the same phenomenon that allows RF noise to be a problem.

Inactive · Nov 01, 2008, 12:33:21

Quote from: Tacitus on Nov 01, 2008, 12:18:34

You might be able to tell me, what size are the machine screws that are used on NTE5s? Are they 3mm or 3.5mm? In the absence of either, I once tried using self tappers but the brass insert must have been strong as it chewed the thread off the screw and ruined the whole box.

Are they not the same as those used in light switches/sockets?.

If they are, I seem to recall that they are " ba " ..either 2ba/4ba or something like that.

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 12:34:37

2BA springs to mind, In, but I have a feeling they went metric.

Inactive · Nov 01, 2008, 12:35:21

Possibly/probably Rik.

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 12:36:07

That's some fence, In.

Inactive · Nov 01, 2008, 12:37:17

Tacitus · Nov 01, 2008, 16:00:50

Quote from: Inactive on Nov 01, 2008, 12:35:21
Are they not the same as those used in light switches/sockets?.

TBH I don't know which is why I was asking

Might be worth trying although they are usually just long enough to attach a switch/socket plate.

Vague feeling I've seen them referred to as "M3" which suggests 3mm. Reason I ask is that I want to get hold of some longer ones than those normally supplied with either the iPlate or the ADSL Nation replacement faceplate.

Inactive · Nov 01, 2008, 16:20:05

If they are the same as the switch/socket type screws, you can certainly get long versions of them, I've seen them in them little plastic bubble packs in B&Q.

M3 does ring a bell, now you mention it.

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 16:36:18

It's handy for getting to Southampton too, In.

Inactive · Nov 01, 2008, 16:51:55

Rik · Nov 01, 2008, 16:57:45

Sorry, couldn't resist.

g7pkf · Nov 03, 2008, 12:31:52

been outta the loop for a while.

whats an iplate?

Rik · Nov 03, 2008, 12:36:27

It's a device that sits between the test socket and the front plate of an NTE5, Dean, which serves to disconnect the ring wire. I find a small pair of pliers cheaper, neater and just as effective.

Sebby · Nov 03, 2008, 12:40:05

More here, Dean.

g7pkf · Nov 03, 2008, 13:34:16

seems a bit of a waste of time why not just disconnect the ring wire?

you have to remove the faceplate anyway to fit this one so just cut or pull the wire out.

does not seem to make sense to me.

and why is everything getting called i this i that.

iphone ipod iplate what next idnet?

Inactive · Nov 03, 2008, 13:40:17

Quote from: g7pkf on Nov 03, 2008, 13:34:16

iphone ipod iplate what next idnet?

Even Birds.i

Sebby · Nov 03, 2008, 13:46:41

Quote from: g7pkf on Nov 03, 2008, 13:34:16
seems a bit of a waste of time why not just disconnect the ring wire?

you have to remove the faceplate anyway to fit this one so just cut or pull the wire out.

does not seem to make sense to me.

You have to remove the ring wire from every socket, though.

Quote from: g7pkf on Nov 03, 2008, 13:34:16and why is everything getting called i this i that.

iphone ipod iplate what next idnet?

I agree, it's so annoying! It apparently stands for "Interstitial Plate".

Inactive · Nov 03, 2008, 13:58:25

Quote from: Sebby on Nov 03, 2008, 13:46:41

I agree, it's so annoying! It apparently stands for "Interstitial Plate".

Why didn't they call it, I am sure we all know what that means..

Rik · Nov 03, 2008, 14:08:11

Quote from: Sebby on Nov 03, 2008, 13:46:41
You have to remove the ring wire from every socket, though.

The thing that troubles me about the iPlate, though, Seb, is that it doesn't do that job.

Rik · Nov 03, 2008, 14:08:24

Quote from: Inactive on Nov 03, 2008, 13:58:25
Why didn't they call it, I am sure we all know what that means..

Well, we do now.

Rik · Nov 03, 2008, 14:08:50

Quote from: Inactive on Nov 03, 2008, 13:40:17
Even Birds.i

That's a load of cods, In.

Rik · Nov 03, 2008, 14:10:13

Quote from: g7pkf on Nov 03, 2008, 13:34:16
you have to remove the faceplate anyway to fit this one so just cut or pull the wire out.

It has a cut-out, apparently, Dean, so there's no need to disconnect any wires. That's about its only virtue as I see it.

Inactive · Nov 03, 2008, 14:18:15

Quote from: Rik on Nov 03, 2008, 14:08:50

That's a load of cods, In.

It is that Captain..

Rik · Nov 03, 2008, 14:26:44

Arr!

Sebby · Nov 03, 2008, 14:54:05

Quote from: Rik on Nov 03, 2008, 14:08:11
The thing that troubles me about the iPlate, though, Seb, is that it doesn't do that job.

It doesn't remove the ring wire from every socket, but it terminates the ring wire at the master socket. Does that mean, then, that disconnecting the ring wire at extension sockets is not necessary (if you weren't using the iPlate, that is)?

Rik · Nov 03, 2008, 14:58:38

I think it is necessary, Seb, so to me the iPlate is a second-rate solution.

Sebby · Nov 03, 2008, 15:00:04

Now I'm thinking about it, though, why would the ring wire connected to extension sockets be an issue? If it's not connected at the master socket, it's not making a circuit...

Rik · Nov 03, 2008, 15:00:49

It's still picking up interference, though, so it can still affect the overall circuit.

Sebby · Nov 03, 2008, 17:16:42

Is that possible if there's no circuit? I genuinely don't know.

Rik · Nov 03, 2008, 17:20:27

It's still connected to the signal wires at the extension end, as I understand it, Seb.

Sebby · Nov 03, 2008, 17:22:47

Hmm. I'll do some digging.

Rik · Nov 03, 2008, 17:23:54

Try to avoid the water mains.

Sebby · Nov 03, 2008, 18:18:28

Too late...

Tacitus · Nov 03, 2008, 18:41:09

There's a breakdown of what's inside the iPlate and how it works here

Sebby · Nov 03, 2008, 20:39:59

Thanks, Tac.

Den · Nov 03, 2008, 21:17:11

Quote from: Inactive on Nov 03, 2008, 14:18:15
It is that Captain..

Many years ago Ricky Tomlinson auditioned for Capn' Birds Eye and did not get the job. He was really upset at the time as he thought he was a better choice than the guy that got it and did nothing but moan about it at the time. The way his career took of after that he is now glad he did not get it.