Dropped connection problem solved

[lozcart]

The last two weeks I've had a dropped connection usually over night but sometimes during the early evening. This is after about a eighteen months of no connection problems. Nothing had been added or altered to my wiring, network or computers so I was at a loss.

At first I thought it could be the filters, changed these but no joy, so maybe the router was starting to pack up. The last few days I've been monitoring my noise margin normally its between 6-8db so didn't seem a major problem. But tonight saw it drop to 3db and then the connection drop.

I then went hunting for the culprit. Two weeks ago a bought a new power adaptor for my laptop, the transformer part of the adaptor when plugged in rests over the top of the phone line extension cable. I charge my laptop in the evening or overnight. When turned on the adaptor causes noise on the line and the connection eventually drops. I proved this by turning adaptor on (noise margin 3.5) and off (rises to 6.2)

So if anyone else is experiencing dropped connections check for any transformers on or near your phone line!!

[Lance]

Glad you got it sorted, and thanks for posting how! It's best to keep the phone cable away from anything else as far as possible, and if crossing cables, to do so at 90 degrees rather than alongside.

Lance

[Inactive]

Nice tip lozcart, thanks.

[Rik]

From an ADSL point of view, it's a shame that everything else doesn't run on batteries! 

[lozcart]

I'm still having a problem with the laptop charger causing the line to drop.

I moved the charger into the kitchen some 20ft away from any phone line or router but when turned on it causes my noise margin to drop, not as much as when placed near the line but enough to cause a disconnection overnight. I don't know enough about electric's but I guess it is effecting the mains circuit?

Is there any filter? or suppressor? I can use to stop this.

Many thanks.

[Rik]

It depends whether the power supply is radiating an RF signal, or putting noise on the mains. Try using a battery powered AM radio, de-tuned, and moving around the power supply, listening for noise. If you pick it up, switch of the power supply and see whether it ceases. If it does, you need an RF filter and these are normally something which BT fits.

[lozcart]

Thanks Rik I will give that a try later today and report back.

[lozcart]

Rik,

I have tried the radio set on AM trick and it is picking up noise from the adaptor, so I guess it is a RF problem.

How do you go about getting BT to fit the RF filter you mention? Or is there a RF filter I could buy and fit?

Many thanks

[Rik]

The RF filters are normally wired in by BT on their side of the master. However, they may well decline to fit one to deal with your own equipment. Can you possibly get another power supply? If you can't, have a word with support, but I fear you may be facing a BT bill in excess of £160.

[lozcart]

For £160 I could buy five power supplies and check which one was the best for my connection! 

I think I will reposition the adaptor around the house and find where it interferes with the line the least. Another job for the weekend

[Rik]

I think I will reposition the adaptor around the house and find where it interferes with the line the least. Another job for the weekend

Sounds like a plan.

[MoHux]

For £160 I could buy five power supplies and check which one was the best for my connection! 

I think I will reposition the adaptor around the house and find where it interferes with the line the least. Another job for the weekend

Can you find a tin box to mount the charger in?  Making sure air can circulate of course.  This should be sufficient shielding for your purpose.

But I also think that if you explained to the makers, they would replace it, because it shouldn't radiate RF to that extent (By law).

Mo

[lozcart]

It took longer than a few hours at the weekend but I think I'm now sorted.

I knew my extension wiring was in a poor shape with taped junctions and damaged cable but it was like this when we moved in to the house some nine years ago and I never got around to sorting it out. Always something more important to do.

That is until now, I've fitted a NTE5 face plate and replaced all my wiring with cat5e shielded cable. what a difference noise margin a steady 6.3db (not picking up any interference) and data rate of 6752 (previously lucky to get 4500), now waiting for my profile to rise

Thanks all for your suggestions, it kick started me into doing something I should have done ages ago.

[Rik]

Well done, I'm glad it's working for you.

[Lance]

Another person to be jealous of...!