Does an in-line filter affect the broadband connection?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Does an in-line filter affect the broadband connection?

HairyScot

182 posts

Master Geek

#139120 28-Jan-2014 16:07

I recently had a problem where I lost both my home phone and broadband connections. The techie at Flip suggested that my in-line filter might be the cause.
Since the filter is in-line after the split between the phone cable and the cable to to the modem I was a bit puzzled by this but decided to give it a try.
This achieved nothing and as it turned out the problem was that a cable had been dug up by a builder and the whole street was out.
When Chorus fixed the problem I was left with a noisy telephone so I decided to reinstate the filter but when I did I lost the ADSL connection.
I though this my be due to my not making the Scotchlock connections properly so I retried a couple of times but with no success.
So now I wonder:-
"Can the filter affect the ADSL signal, or are my connection skills really bad?"
"Should I just leave out the in-line filter and go with a filter on each phone connection?"

Thanks in advance for your inputs.

RunningMan

8961 posts

Uber Geek

#976014 28-Jan-2014 16:10

By in-line, do you mean a master filter?

Any sort of filter that is faulty can have a detrimental effect on phone or xDSL - e.g. if it went closed circuit and shorted the connection, then neither would function.

EDIT: Properly installed master filter is far superior than individual plug in filters. Have a go at getting it right. If you look at the back (clear) side of the scotchlok, you should be able to see if the wires are all the way in and making good contact when you crimp it.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#976017 28-Jan-2014 16:13

In line filter plugs into the telephone jack point and the modem plugs into it, If you don't have a telephone plugged into that in-line filter get a different cable (Dick Smith) and plug modem direct into the telephone jack point

Behodar

10509 posts

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#976025 28-Jan-2014 16:20

johnr: In line filter plugs into the telephone jack point and the modem plugs into it

Either I'm more sleepy than I thought, or that's the wrong way around: You don't want to plug the modem into the in-line filter because it'll filter out the DSL signal.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#976032 28-Jan-2014 16:25

Behodar:
johnr: In line filter plugs into the telephone jack point and the modem plugs into it

Either I'm more sleepy than I thought, or that's the wrong way around: You don't want to plug the modem into the in-line filter because it'll filter out the DSL signal.

Either I have not explained it well or something else,

The in-line filter plugs into the telephone jack point and then the modem plugs into the DSL port on the filter,

Behodar

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#976034 28-Jan-2014 16:27

Oh, I haven't seen a filter with two ports but I'll trust you that they exist :)

HairyScot

182 posts

Master Geek

#976044 28-Jan-2014 16:40

RunningMan: By in-line, do you mean a master filter?

Any sort of filter that is faulty can have a detrimental effect on phone or xDSL - e.g. if it went closed circuit and shorted the connection, then neither would function.

EDIT: Properly installed master filter is far superior than individual plug in filters. Have a go at getting it right. If you look at the back (clear) side of the scotchlok, you should be able to see if the wires are all the way in and making good contact when you crimp it.

Yes, a master filter.

I can see the wires are properly seated and once I crimp they are definitely being held by the Scotchlok.
So it looks like the filter must be faulty.
I have two or three plug in filters so I'll give those a try until such time as I can get around to buying a new master filter.

Thanks.

SCM

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#976050 28-Jan-2014 16:48

Whats the chances that Chorus didn't fix the broken cable properly and that is the cause of your dirty line...

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

RunningMan

8961 posts

Uber Geek

#976058 28-Jan-2014 17:00

The way you have described your wiring suggests one of the older 2 pair filters (orange and blue pairs). May have died from old age. New filters have three pairs (orange blue green) and can be got for under $30 retail if you think it needs to be replaced.

If you connect the modem direct to the oncoming line with nothing else attached you should be able to determine if the external fault has been sorted.

webwat

2036 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#978475 1-Feb-2014 11:18

RunningMan: The way you have described your wiring suggests one of the older 2 pair filters (orange and blue pairs). May have died from old age. New filters have three pairs (orange blue green) and can be got for under $30 retail if you think it needs to be replaced.

If you connect the modem direct to the oncoming line with nothing else attached you should be able to determine if the external fault has been sorted.

And the phone would need an inline plug-in filter until the master filter goes back in. DSL modem does not need to go on a 2 port filter since the filtered port is only for the phone anyway. I have some RJ45 filters if you need one though.

Make sure the scotchlok is crimped down hard and connected to the correct wire without untwisting more wire than you need to. Check the wire goes all the way to the end of the scotchlok before you crimp it.

Time to find a new industry!

nakedmolerat

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#978478 1-Feb-2014 11:24

You know what will be helpful, upload some photos for us

HairyScot

182 posts

Master Geek

#978483 1-Feb-2014 11:33

Thanks for all the tips and info.

The ADSL connection is fine but I am still having issues with the phones and filter.
Have been in touch with CoffeeBaron (one of our members) and requested his professional assistance.

DarthKermit

5346 posts

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Trusted

#978600 1-Feb-2014 17:44

HairyScot: Thanks for all the tips and info.

The ADSL connection is fine but I am still having issues with the phones and filter.
Have been in touch with CoffeeBaron (one of our members) and requested his professional assistance.

CoffeeBaron will see ya right.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?