Connecting Digital Voice

[WSH]

I’ve not read the rest of this (rather lengthy) thread, so forgive me if I’m cutting across anyone here…

I thought the whole idea of the NTE5C was that the extension wiring connects to the removable lower faceplate.  If that is the case, it should just be a matter of unplugging the lower faceplate*, pulling the extension wires out of the IDC connectors and then plug the faceplate back in.  Job done.

@Confused52  *As you said, this isolates the extension wires, so there is no voltage on the extension.

EDIT:  Also, while I think about it, you can actually buy replacements for the lower faceplate off Amazon.  Why not just fit a replacement faceplate?  I can't post a commercial link, (the mods will slap my legs), but I've just tried Amazon with the search term "nte5a master socket" and lots of examples came up.

[Confused52]

The extension wires are not on the removable faceplate. They are underneath the shell on the NTE5C, there also can be more than one cable plugged into the IDC if the master socket is not at the end of an extension run. Therefore pulling out the wires is not a proper solution.  I have ordered a replacement from Amazon to see what the construction is and what I have to do to have a proper solution which is the extension wiring disconnected from the exchange line when the faceplate is inserted into the body of the NTE5C. 

The faceplate appears to connect the extension and the master socket to the output of the NTE circuitry when plugged in. The arrangement of the connectors is such that the only way to proceed is to remove the connectors which contact the extension wiring which leaves the master socket on the faceplate live on the exchange line circuit and the extension wiring connected to the SH2. Since I have no use for the master socket in the hall this work suit me if it works. A solution that would be better is the discontinued FTTP VOIP R-insertion faceplate which no doubt also connects the faceplate master socket to the extension wiring, so that the SH2 VOIP output can be inserted with a double ended 413A cable.

Frankly any decent telecommunications engineer would have already worked out that such devices were needed and have them ready and for the edge cases fitted a new device with a visit. However DV is a change that is clearly run on the understanding that annoying and disappointing customers is almost a requirement rather than a danger. I don't need to re-insert voice at the master socket so I would like to make a clean looking solution rather than the non-Oenreach re-insertion kit. 

Presumably the exchange line is still actually working with Soft Dial tone, in which case it can be used to make emergency calls until the line cards are actually pulled out. When will that happen?

[licquorice]

I have no idea why you are trying to make something that is extremely simple so complicated.

Far more effort is required in any of your solutions than simply disconnecting 2 wires.

[WSH]

No offense, but it sounds like the original setup was a bit of a lash-up and that is at the root of the problem now.  You don't put two sets of wires into an IDC connector.  That is not what they are designed to do.  I'm surprised it's not caused problems before now.

[licquorice]

Regardless of any lash up, all that is required is disconnecting  the incoming 2 wires. Simples.

[Confused52]

I wouldn't know if it is a lash up as I have not looked at the wiring or modified it in any way.

If I could physically remove the wires I would have already done. I can't because of a disability which I cannot change.  At a desk I can possibly sever and insulate the pads on the faceplate but I cannot bend down, unscrew the terminal, cut and insulate two wires, refit and screw up the terminal again - no matter how easy you find it to do so.

[licquorice]

Yes, I appreciate that, but if you are not able to do that you neither would you be able to do anything else which will of necessity involve accessing the NTE.

Just get your son to carry out the task.

[iniltous]

If your extensions were always incorrectly wired from the rear of the NTE5 rather than the removable consumer panel , (so you could  completely remove the panel and take it anywhere as it’s was never  restrained by a extension socket cable ) and you have successfully connected your router phone port to your one of your extension sockets any everything seemingly works , and it’s only a cosmetic issue with the ‘look’ of the NTE without  the consumer panel fitted  , as you have apparently confirmed no extension wiring was connected to the consumer panel , this panel fitted or removed makes no operational difference , any ‘line’ conditions  from your extensions are currently connected to the Openreach pair (because the extension cabling was never correctly installed) and any line condition from ‘outside’ is currently presented to your extensions and the router phone port , but  all of which appear to be working satisfactorily, which suggests no line conditions are actually on the external cable pair any longer , and never likely to be again .

If it’s only a cosmetic issue , put the consumer panel back onto the NTE , your internal extension network is no worse off as it is now with the panel removed, but the aesthetics are restored to how they were previously , which presumably is the reason you posted.

[Confused52]

Let us correct a few things for the benefit of others. I got my son to take a photo of the NTE5C without its faceplate. The three wire extension wiring is in the singular, however contrary to what was said earlier it is possible to put two extension cables in to the Cam locks on the outer face of the main body because they are shaped to allow that. 

In my installation the one set of three wires enters from the back through the large hole in the  and turns into the cam lock.

So for VOIP re-insertion at the far end of the extension cabling the appropriate action might be to flip open the cam lock and apply a small piece of insulation tape to each wire, close the cam lock and re-fit the front plate. No unscrewing or snipping of wires needed. If there were two extension cables they would need to be twisted together, and possibly soldered, before taping.

[COMPANY-PENSIONER]

Make sure you access and enter a 'pin' to hear your Voicemail remotely; otherwise, come the day that you lose your DV for any reason, you won't be able to retrieve your Voicemail. Those repairing your fault, leave voice messages, you might not be able to obtain . . .