Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable? (UK)

Subject: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable ?
From: GUEST,Frustrated with BT customer service
Date: 19 May 09 - 01:52 PM

hi, please quick expert mudcat advice required..

I just wasted another hour being passed around various polite but very useless BT call centre departments !

I've got an extension cable wired from downstairs to upstairs, about 10 to 12 metres long, wired permanently through walls and floors.
Its a standard UK 4 wire cable.
The problem is the plug on the downstairs end is broke and needs replacing.
How easy is it to buy and replace.
Can I just cut off the old plug and get a new one that just crimps on, or would it need soldering and be best done by a BT technician
[at probably exhorbitant call out fee]?

also the cable is at least 10 to 15 years old, so even if I can fix it easily myself,
is it still up to fit spec for the purpose of modern digital Gap compatible phones?

cheers mates.

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable ?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 May 09 - 02:02 PM

You can buy a plug AND a crimping tool in Maples !! Unless you've got a SERIOUS Moisture problem , the cable should be OK for at least another six months ! LOL

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable ?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 19 May 09 - 02:03 PM

You can get a new lead for a few pounds from Wilko, B&Q etc. At the same time buy a 4 way chocolate block connector- like this.

Chop off the end of your present lead, and chop the new lead in half. Strip out a short length of lead in each one (caution: you didn't say if the BT end was upstairs or downstairs... make sure it's not connected to line - 90V at 25Hz feels awful if someone calls while you're holding the end!) The colours should match up, so just connect them via the choc block.

If the colours don't match up, first panic then post again and we'll go from there.

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable ?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 19 May 09 - 02:09 PM

I'm not clear how you are organised but with our house, the broadband connects to the main bt socket. There was an extension to another room but I got rid of it opting to use DECT phones which we could have in 3 locations instead. Broadband was quicker without extension.

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable ?
From: GUEST,Frustrated with BT customer service
Date: 19 May 09 - 02:22 PM

thanks for fast response mates !
I'm looking at Maplin site now.
Basicaly, the BT phone/broadband box is downstairs;
at the moment I already have a 6 or 7 years old Dect transmitter/answer phone plugged in to it, but its on its last legs as 3 of the 4 phones no longer work properly due to wife's carelessness.
So I've just bought a new 4 phone dect system.
This time I'd prefere to have the transmitter/answerphone upstairs in my work room [maybe I'll get a stroner signal ?].

Which is why I'd like to use this long dormant extension cable which was already wired in the house [and broken !!!] by a previous owner.

so you guys reckon I'll be able to find just the kit I need to fix it cheap and easily ? thats good news.

---

Please remember to use a consistent name when you post. People who use multiple posting names, risk having ALL their posts deleted.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable ?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 19 May 09 - 02:29 PM

OK I see why you are going that way.

5 + a crimp tool on ebay
here

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable ?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 19 May 09 - 02:33 PM

Then you'll need this page to tell you which colours to put where.

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable ?
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 19 May 09 - 04:35 PM

Had to wire one once, pretty easy with the crimp tool.

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable? (UK)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 May 09 - 09:35 PM

How many wires are needed for UK phones? In the U.S., it's usually just two, green and red - but phone cables usually have four to six wires so there's room for replacement of bad wires, or for an extra line.

Telephones and other equipment are connected to wall by means of an RJ11 modular plug and jack. Are the RJ11 plugs used in the UK?
I thought that the ordinary voltage on phone lines is 24 volts normally, with a 50-volt ringer, but I was wrong. http://www.tech-faq.com says this:

According to AT&T, the ringing signal is an 88v 20Hz A.C. signal superimposed on 48v nominal D.C. supervisory voltage.

The RJ11 plugs and jacks are quite handy, but they're difficult to replace. If the plug comes loose, you might as well replace the entire cable. I suppose you could get a crimper and get in the business of fixing cables, but I've never had much luck with crimped electrical connections.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable? (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 20 May 09 - 07:46 AM

Common BT has 4 wires, keep the old plug when you cut it off so you can get the same wire sequence for the new one. The Maplins plug and crimp work just fine, Had to do this a couple of times before our kitten got the message.

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable? (UK)
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 20 May 09 - 07:49 AM

Two wires but there is a 3rd "ring wire". Refer to the link Paul Burke gave above.

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable? (UK)
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 20 May 09 - 07:53 AM

Missed a bit. RJ11 is used to connect to other equipment, eg. a modem. We'd use a cable with a BT plug one end and and RJ11 the other for that.

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable? (UK)
From: Bernard
Date: 20 May 09 - 08:23 AM

Most supermarkets stock cheap extension kits with all the bits you need - screw terminals rather than crimps or Krone IDC. Removes all the guesswork!

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable? (UK)
From: GUEST,Brian
Date: 20 May 09 - 08:30 AM

What ever you do 'GUEST,Frustrated with BT customer service' don't, and I mean DON'T involve BT.

This is an internal extension (and therefore your equipment) so if you have BT come to fix your problem they will charge an 'arm and leg' and all the bits in between just to come and knock on your door. They then charge for their time, and parts. The ******** tried to charge us £200+ for 10 minutes work repairing their own equipment. It took 9 months of fighting and being shoved around 'Customer Services' (BT = Bullshit 'n' Transfer) before getting the charge dropped.

Assuming the old cable is in good condition crimping a new plug onto it is fine, other wise buy and feed in a new cable.

Subject: fixing extension cable? (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 02:41 PM

please help me to fix extension cable

Subject: RE: Tech: Replace Plug for phone extension cable? (UK)
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 03:51 AM

I'll be round in a few minutes.