Old GPO connection box

[StephenCheek]

Back in 1981 I used to have a phone system with jack sockets all around the house (I think it was called Plan 4) .  When, in the 1980s,  BT upgraded the system to the new style plugs and sockets, they left the old GPO connection box (see picture) and tapped off that to a new Master socket.  The wiring from the Master socket then comes back into the connection box for further distribution to other extension sockets.  This arrangement means that I have wiring and connections in the house BEFORE the Master socket, which on the one hand BT tell me that I may not touch, but when it suits (i.e. if there is a fault on an extension) they will claim that it is my responsibility. Can anyone advise on how best to deal with this?

[licquorice]

You haven't said what you actually want to do.

[StephenCheek]

I want to remove one or more of the extension sockets together with their associated wiring.

[licquorice]

As long as you don't disconnect the connection between the incoming cable and the cable to the master socket, just remove the extensions and their wiring.

The extension cabling is your responsibility in any case. 

[StephenCheek]

When BT converted the system they used multicore cable which as well as taking the incoming pair up to the Master socket, also contains the wires coming back to the box to be sent out to extensions. I therefore cannot remove the cable. There is also an old legacy loop in the system, before the Master socket, feeding an external bell. Ideally, what I want to achieve is for just the incoming pair from the connection box to go unfettered to the Master, but I can't see a way to do this myself legally.  I also do not feel that I should have to pay BT to come and sort out the rather tangled installation that they themselves have created!

[licquorice]

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@StephenCheek wrote:

When BT converted the system they used multicore cable which as well as taking the incoming pair up to the Master socket, also contains the wires coming back to the box to be sent out to extensions. I therefore cannot remove the cable.

You wouldn't be able to even if it only contained the incoming pair. You said you wished to remove extensions, that can be achieved by simply disconnecting the second pair coming back from the master socket leaving the incoming pair connected.

There is also an old legacy loop in the system, before the Master socket, feeding an external bell. Ideally, what I want to achieve is for just the incoming pair from the connection box to go unfettered to the Master, but I can't see a way to do this myself legally.  I also do not feel that I should have to pay BT to come and sort out the rather tangled installation that they themselves have created!

I don't think the serious crime squad will come knocking on your door if you untangle the wiring. You simply need to ensure that the 2 wires coming from the street get to the master socket either via the existing junction box and cabling or new.

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[StephenCheek]

Thanks for your continued dialogue!  Not sure about disconnecting the pair coming back from the Master socket - they appear to be hard-wired into the 'user-inaccessible' back. Could I just cut them as close as possible?

[licquorice]

The pair carrying the extension wiring should be terminated on terminals 2&5 on the removable faceplate of the master socket. The incoming pair will be terminated on the A&B terminals at the rear. The incoming pair should be the blue pair and the extension the orange pair.

I wouldn't cut any wires unless you are absolutely sure what they are. If you disconnect wires in error at least you can re-terminate them.

[StephenCheek]

Hmm.  That doesn't seem to match up with what I am seeing.  I'll investigate further. Many thanks for you help thus far.

[Bob1001]

@StephenCheek  Although as stated you can do what you like with the extension wiring in this case you have to be careful as Openreach own the wiring up to the master socket so you should not touch the old GPO terminal block. It seems to be wired incorrectly as extension wiring should not go via the GPO box.

I would talk to BT and hopefully get so someone who understands the problem, they should have the wiring corrected for no charge, as you don't want the extension wiring they will probably just disconnect it for you and you can then remove the extension wiring.

Make sure you get confirmation that they are going to do it FOC for you. I had a similar problem when I was forced to change to DV as my master socket was incorrectly wired, in my case BT not Openreach came and sorted it out FOC.