Noise on Telecom line - possible causes?

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ajobbins

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Topic # 17351 22-Nov-2007 15:39

Since we moved into our new apartment we have had a kind of crackling, static type noise on the line that seems to come and go. We have DSL on the line and so I have replaced all of the filters in the apartment in case it was one of these, as well as disconnected all equiptment connected to the line and tried them one at a time. Still the noise is present.

The building is brand new and all the phone wiring runs over Cat5e cable, so there really shouldn't be any issues with the internal wiring I would hope.

Does anybody have any item what causes this kind of noise, and if it is likley to be a Telecom issue or an internal wiring issue. I dont want to call Telecom out and then have to pay them to fix something internal (As this should be done by the property developer if the wiring is shotty).

There are currently 5 devices on the line, 2x cordless phones, 1x DSL modem (unfiltered of course), 1x Fax Multifunction and the Sky decoder. Everything is filtered other than the DSL modem. We also seem to loose our DSL sync alot, moreso when on a phone call but sometimes just randomly. Phone calls are never cut off but both parties can hear the noise, which seems to come and go as it pleases.

I have recorded a sound byte of the noise by calling my VFX line from the Telecom line and leaving a voicemail message with the Telecom line handset on mute. Its here. (124KB wav file)

Also, here are my DSL stats, which are apparently good as we are close to the exchange.

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Reply # 96409 22-Nov-2007 15:52

I know you would have tried different filters (???) but perhaps a full wiring option may solve this?

nzbnw

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Reply # 96410 22-Nov-2007 15:57

nzbnw: I know you would have tried different filters (???) but perhaps a full wiring option may solve this?

nzbnw

Yeah I went out and replaced all of the filters yesterday in case one of those was causing an issue. When I spoke to telecom faults the lady said to unplug everything (especially the DSL modem) from the line and plug a corded phone into one socket, without a filter and see if the noise is present (It was). The noise also does not sound like DSL noise. She said if there is still noise on the line with the modem unplugged and nothing but a corded phone on the line with no filter it shouldnt be DSL related.

cyril7

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Reply # 96415 22-Nov-2007 16:30

Listening to your wav file it sounds to me like a bad joint, which as most of us know can give headaches. It could be any of your sockets in the flat, or more likely in the patch bay/Krone block in the basement or any other point in the buiding where the cables are joined. I suspect as you have no access to the building cabling other than your own flat you will need to get a tech to trace the line.

Cyril

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Reply # 96417 22-Nov-2007 16:44

cyril7: Listening to your wav file it sounds to me like a bad joint, which as most of us know can give headaches. It could be any of your sockets in the flat, or more likely in the patch bay/Krone block in the basement or any other point in the buiding where the cables are joined. I suspect as you have no access to the building cabling other than your own flat you will need to get a tech to trace the line.

Cyril

Below is a photo of the room where the Telecom lines come into the building and are wired to the apartments (There are 6 apartments in the building but at present only 3 have Telecom connections. The red and black wires stuck to the piece of paper are for the doorphone connection, which is yet to be conneted to the doorphone. The big black wires are the incoming Telecom lines. The blue Cat5e goes to the 6 apartments and 1 to the doorphone (Not yet connected).

Our connection is the blue and white wires you can see just beside the white piece of paper.

This room is only a couple of metres from our front door and so I have taken the cordless phone out and jiggled the wires. This makes no difference to the noise on the line. If there is no noise at that point in time it does not cause any, likewise if there is noise on the line it doesnt stop it.

I have an insertion tool and I have checked all the internal jackpoints to make sure all the connections are good, which they all are.

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Reply # 96421 22-Nov-2007 16:53

Gee there are some rough bug6ers about, leaving the cable hanging like that is asking for trouble. If it were me at this point (but maybe not you), I would cut your room line from the incoming line (black cable) and attach a phone directly across that line, if the noise is still there then its either at the demarc point outside the building or back down the street eitherway, not your cost to fix. Once your done reconnect with a couple of gel clips, or get a couple of krone blocks and neatly bolt and loom it to the wall.

Cyril

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Reply # 96425 22-Nov-2007 17:07

cyril7: Gee there are some rough bug6ers about, leaving the cable hanging like that is asking for trouble. If it were me at this point (but maybe not you), I would cut your room line from the incoming line (black cable) and attach a phone directly across that line, if the noise is still there then its either at the demarc point outside the building or back down the street eitherway, not your cost to fix. Once your done reconnect with a couple of gel clips, or get a couple of krone blocks and neatly bolt and loom it to the wall.

Cyril

Where do you get the gel clips from? I assume that is what they are connected with now

cyril7

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Reply # 96427 22-Nov-2007 17:11

MasterTrade/Corey, electrical wholesalers generally, I think even DSE has them, be sure when you use them that wires push fully home, first squezze them with your fingers then finish off with a good squeze with a pair of pliers.

And yes that does seem to be whats holding things together now.

Cyril

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Reply # 96508 23-Nov-2007 08:10

sounds like you've proven everything internal is fine, equip wise.
internal wiring? i would doubt
its most likely at the dmarc where the noise is found, possibly in contact with earth? otherwise its in the st somewhere.
some cases, can be found at exchange or local cabinet where tech's can place some sorta choker to get rid of noise.
anyways, im a noob, just adding my 5 cents.
suggestion, get a tech out, if proven internal wiring, have ur landlord or admin pay for that.
:)

alvstar2001

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Reply # 96532 23-Nov-2007 09:52

I'm gonna pick up some gel clips from Rexel on my way home tonight and see if I can find out if the noise is still on the line at the point it enters the building. That should rule out an internal fault.

Wob

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Reply # 96536 23-Nov-2007 10:29

Two port Skotch-Loks, if you were in Dunedin, I'd give you a handfull.

What a disgrace!! If I had left a building demarc in that state when working for TCL, I would have had my arse kicked!!

Please send your photo into Telecom and get them to do something about it. And copy in TUANZ and the Commerce Commission.

Now based in Perth WA.

Check out my blog
Any comments or posts are not necessarily the opinion of my employer - who are bloody marvelous by the way.

cyril7

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Reply # 96538 23-Nov-2007 10:53

What a disgrace!!

Agree totally, there are rules and obligations regarding the quality of wiring that a telco must adhere to, this does not meet the mark by a long way. In a MDU like this I would expect at least a single 25way krone block to terminate inbound and appartment lines allowing cross patching, in larger MDUs maybe several blocks.

Cyril

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Reply # 96562 23-Nov-2007 14:01

I tested the line by connecting a phone directly to the telecom line at the demarc point and the noise was still present. Telecom are sending out a technician this afternoon.

cyril7

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Reply # 96572 23-Nov-2007 15:06

Good one and while he is there ask him if he thinks the install is satisfactory, maybe if he has the inclination he might spring a krone block and tidy it up.

Cyril

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Reply # 96587 23-Nov-2007 15:49

The tech just called before. He was going to the exchange first and will try and trace the fault back from there. He might not even need to come here. If he does ill mention the state of the demarc.

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Reply # 96595 23-Nov-2007 16:40

They sent 2 techs. One to the exchange and one to here. They swapped the pairs between the demarc and the exchange and it seems to have solved the problem. They didn't seem to think a krone block was necessary.

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