Keep Calm and Keep Browsing
No master socket? – No problem! There’s nothing mysterious about them – they are just a socket! I recently removed a G.P.O junction box dating from the 1930s. Surprisingly, it was carrying high-speed, fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband. It resembled pre-war power station switchgear. However, it was streaming Netflix. Astonishing! Basically, your master socket is like any old socket or junction box with a pair of wires carrying a service. However, that’s not its only job
The Big Issue
Its main function is to mark the boundary between you and Openreach’s network. Furthermore, Openreach’s engineers use it as a testing point. Also, You can also use it yourself to test the line. It may just avoid strife between you and your provider, pointing the finger back at their network.. However, it’s harder to do the test if you don’t have one… I’ve written lots on other blogs about master sockets.
You Are Not Alone
Don’t Worry There are plenty of cases on the net of non-existent master sockets. Google is your friend – simply search “no master socket”. It’s a common problem. (Did I say that already….?)
Typical Problems Are…
You Have an Old One, Which Looks Like Any Other Socket.
It may be adjacent to where cable enters house. It is typically by the front door. Carefully remove the front of the socket. You will find a specific component (a surge arrestor). It’s a small silver and white fuse-like thingie – it’s visible in the link below, on the back of the socket. The presence of the surge arrestor will identify this socket as the first point of entry. Typically these are found in pre-1980s properties, often pared with a junction box in the shape of a bar of soap.
It May Have Been Removed and Replaced with Plain Cable or a Junction Box
The socket may have been removed and a piece of cable spliced in, probably with a poor joint (usually hidden) If this was done by builders, painters, floorers or another tradesman, it is time to call in an independent engineer to refit cable, joint and master socket. Then send the invoice to the culprit. They damaged your property.
It May Be Hidden.
Often, particularly in hallways, these are built around. They have been boxed in for neatness. Usually, this happens in shops and pubs!. However, if the cable is visible externally, all is not lost. It can be traced and the socket found.
Will My Service Provider Get Openreach to Install One?
Unlikely for a one-off free visit if the service is performing as expected. However, if you are getting a new provider and router, then probably a latest version will be installed. The Openreach engineer’s objective is to get the best quality of service to your house. Modern NTE5s have a better specification than the older ones and would normally fit straight on.
Where Did My Extensions Go?
If there are other extensions attached to it, the Openreach engineer is within their job specification to leave these unattached in case they cause intermittent faults if they change a socket.. Time to call an independent engineer to test your wiring, improve as necessary, and reattach to the network
Who Are These Independent Engineers Anyway?
There are many self-employed, ex-BT engineers located across the U.K. No master socket? No problem. Please be in touch if you need to find an engineer,
