Extension engineer

[jameslawrence89]

I've just had BT Infinity installed, however the engineer said that the router couldn't be used on one of the extension sockets. I need it to be used on the socket next to the TV for my BT home hub, however BT have said that I will need an extension engineer for a cost of £130. Is this not something that comes with the service/is it normal practice for this to be charged for? If I get an extension engineer out what would they actually do, presumably they wouldn't run a cable along the wall to the master socket?

[licquorice]

I presume the socket next to your TV is the master socket. If it has a filtered faceplate, i.e there are 2 sockets, one for a phone and one for a router, then yes the router can only be plugged in there unless your wiring is re-arranged. If your master socket just has one socket in which you plug a filter and then connect the hub to the filter, you can use the hub in the extensioin socket.

Any interenal wiring beyond the master socket is your responsibility.

[jameslawrence89]

I don't have a filtered faceplate - the main faceplate (which is the one in my utilities cupboard, the one with the router fitted, not the one by the TV) is a single socket, and therefore has a filter attached. I have tried plugging it into the extension socket but it didn't work.

How easy is it to rearrange the wiring myself? I guess I need to pay for the engineer, or buy a powerline.

[licquorice]

Does a phone work in the extension socket?

The removable lower faceplate of the master socket should have wires connected to pins 2&5 that go to the extension socket.

[jameslawrence89]

We don't have a phone to test. The engineer said that there was a connection there but he couldn't get it to work.

[licquorice]

I suggest you buy a £5 phone to test with, it will also be invaluable for troubleshooting if you have problems with your line. Telephone/broadband wiring is extremely simple, just 2 wires. If he couldn't get it to work, there is a problem with the cable between the master and extension. Are you sure the cable is continuous and hasn't been cut/disconnected somewhere.

[jameslawrence89]

It's a new build property so I assume it hasn't been cut somewhere, but can't be 100% sure. Do you know whether powerline adapters are strong enough to be used for youview boxes?

[licquorice]

Are you sure it has been connected at all?  Yes, you can use Ethernet powerline adaptors for youview boxes. Something like these will give you Ethernet and wifi connectivity. https://www.shop.bt.com/products/bt-mini-wi-fi-home-hotspot-600-kit-084288-BVFF.html

[jameslawrence89]

To be honest I'm not sure it's been connected - isn't that something the engineer would have been able to do today though, or do you mean physically connected (i.e. there is no actual wiring between the two)?

[licquorice]

Openreach are only responsible for providing service to the master socket. Any wiring beyond the master socket is your responsibility. If the engineer had a quick look at your wiring it was just as a favour and not part of his remit. Are there wires connected to pins 2&5 on the lower removable faceplate of the master and the same coloured wires connected to pins 2&5 of the extension?