Why you should install an xDSL master splitter

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Why you should install an xDSL master splitter

RunningMan

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#112849 23-Dec-2012 18:29

A lot of people come to this forum, and ask why they should spend the $150 - $200 to have a master splitter (filter) installed for their xDSL connection. I thought I'd post the before and after results for a fairly typical home, so you can make up your own mind.

This installation was in a 1970s built house that had 3 phone jacks connected in the usual daisy chain configuration. One outlet was unused, one had a phone with a plug in filter, and the other had the phone and modem with a plug in filter. The wiring was in pretty good condition, no major problems.

To start with, here's the line stats.
Downstream attenuation 34 db
Downstream sync rate   11098 kb/s
Upstream Attenuation    15 db
Upstream sync rate        868 kb/s

Open up the ETP

New run of Cat5 from the ETP to a new outlet for the modem, and the filter installed. Note this is an old 2 pair filter - current ones have 3 pairs - 1 connects to the lead in, 1 for voice, 1 for DSL.

And finally, the new line stats
Downstream attenuation 34 db
Downstream sync rate   13942 kb/s
Upstream Attenuation    15 db
Upstream sync rate        996 kb/s

A 26% increase in download speed, and 15% increase in upload speed.

I know Coffeebaron will do this work in Auckland and the Waikato, I'm sure there are other Geekzone members who provide this service in other areas of NZ.

DarthKermit

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#736697 23-Dec-2012 21:32

I installed one for our house a few weeks ago. We don't have an external ETP, so I just installed the master splitter at the end of the land line cable that I had earlier routed into a cupboard.

Two wires to the land line, two wires to the internal phone line star wiring junction point and two wires to the ADSL modem/router plug.

Our speed seems to be a bit bitter, but the main benefit is the damn DSL connection doesn't disconnect each time we receive or make a phone call. It used to do that almost always with the plug in filter we had before.

I paid about $30 for the master splitter off trademe.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

coffeebaron

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#736702 23-Dec-2012 21:54

More to come on this. I got a message from plambrechtsen @ Telecom recently wanting to do some before an after tests from the network side. Results in a post or blog coming soon.

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plambrechtsen

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#736706 23-Dec-2012 22:17

Yep.. got pretty before and after pics... Working on but Christmas doesn't help :)

andrewbnz

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#737031 24-Dec-2012 23:59

Does a master filter make a difference if you are using naked dsl? eg: Xnet Fusion

My line currently comes in straight to a single jack point. Would I see any benefit from a master filter?

johnr

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#737037 25-Dec-2012 00:45

If only one jack point and no other wiring then no you don't need one

sbiddle

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#737057 25-Dec-2012 08:08

andrewbnz: Does a master filter make a difference if you are using naked dsl? eg: Xnet Fusion

My line currently comes in straight to a single jack point. Would I see any benefit from a master filter?

If you are using Naked DSL, the answer is yes.

However if you only have your inmcoming one terminated to a single jackpoint there is no need.

Many people wrongly assume the sole purpose of filters is to split voice and data, something that's not actually correct. While filters do this, a master filter eliminates issues caused by multiple jackpoints which basically act as a bridge tap and cause the DSL signal to be reflected back and ultimately degrade the DSL signal.

If you have xDSL and have multiple jackpoints in your home but no master filter it's not a matter of if your internet is being degraded, but to what extent it's being degraded. There is no magical calculation for working this out, and depending on the condition of your wiring and distance from the cabinet or exchange this could vary from a few hundred kbps right to to 10+ Mbps gain in sync speed.

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RunningMan

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#737078 25-Dec-2012 08:58

In the example above, the phone wiring was pretty basic, 3 outlets daisy chained, with cat 3 cable in good condition, installed in the last couple of years. Just by isolating this wiring segment from the DSL signal gave a 25% increase in throughput.

If you have only one outlet (not simply just using only one outlet), and know there are no extra runs of cable off where there used to be outlets or splices, then you may get little benefit from a master filter. In pretty much every other case, you should get some improvement, be it increased throughput, or increased stability.

coffeebaron

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#737139 25-Dec-2012 12:34

I've done plenty on naked DSL splitter installs, all with very good results. I've seen some with 200-300% gain in sync speed.

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Johnk

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#737276 26-Dec-2012 08:53

Further more I think its safe to say roughly installed filters can also be fixed, My father recently moved into a new house, and sure enough it had a master filter installed, but by the looks of the quality of the install, id say a sparky who didn't really care or know installed it.

took a photo of original install with line stats, then I swapped out the filter, installed a new one without 240v connectors in the mix and line stats look a lil bit healthier.

So what im saying is, make sure if you want a master filter installed but dont really know what your doing, it will pay off to get someone in to do it.

Before:

Stats before:

Stats after: