filter questions

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amigo

161 posts

Master Geek

#18584 15-Jan-2008 13:29

Hi

I set up ADSL broadband for my mum the other month. Since then she's had a few random problems with her phone and caller ID. The caller ID unit has started to chew through new sets of alkaline batteries within days. Today she found her phone dead a couple of times and then it came right.

The modem came with 2 filters, so this is how I used them:

• ADSL modem directly into socket (without filter).

• Filter on phone in bedroom.

• Filter in wall socket in lounge, then a double adaptor connected to the filter to allow for phone and caller ID unit on the same filter.

• Unplugged the Sky connection (she never buys movies)

Before I tell her to complain to Telecom, I thought I'd check that what I've set up is OK. Here are my questions:

1) Is it OK to attach two phone devices to the same filter as I have done, or must the double adaptor go into the wall socket and then two fliters be used?

2) Does the ADSL modem need to pass through a filter?

3) Is it OK to have a wall socket unfiltered if nothing is plugged in?

Thanks

grant_k

3539 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 124

Trusted

#104973 15-Jan-2008 13:38

amigo: 1) Is it OK to attach two phone devices to the same filter as I have done, or must the double adaptor go into the wall socket and then two fliters be used?

Theoretically, it should be OK, but if you are having problems, it would be better to use 2 filters with the double adaptor straight into the wall socket.

amigo: 2) Does the ADSL modem need to pass through a filter?

No filter is needed for your ADSL modem, it should be plugged straight into the wall socket.

amigo: 3) Is it OK to have a wall socket unfiltered if nothing is plugged in?

Yes, perfectly fine. But please also do a check around your house to make sure there are no other phones/faxes/Sky Decoders/Alarm Monitoring devices plugged into sockets without filters.

amigo

161 posts

Master Geek

#104976 15-Jan-2008 13:53

grant_k:
Theoretically, it should be OK, but if you are having problems, it would be better to use 2 filters with the double adaptor straight into the wall socket.
sockets without filters.

I'll try disconnecting the bedroom phone and using the two filters to see if that helps.

There are no other devices/alarms etc.

One other strange thing was that after swithcing to BB, I couldn't get her old dial-up modem to run (on a filter) to cancel her old account, even without the ADSL modem attached at all. It would dial, connect, but then not complete the handshake properly, then disconnect and try again.

The phone had been working fine for a few weeks though.

Is there any easy way to check if a filter is faulty?

Thanks

grant_k

3539 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 124

Trusted

#104977 15-Jan-2008 13:59

amigo: Is there any easy way to check if a filter is faulty?

If the presence of the filter causes:

- Your sync speed (as reported by your ADSL modem) to decrease more than just slightly i.e. say more than 1 or 2%

- Your phone to go all crackly or with a hissing noise (due to the ADSL)

- Your broadband connection to drop completely or slow down when the phone is off-the-hook

If any of those things is happening, your filter is suspect, so try a new filter in place of it, and hopefully that should fix it, unless there is something wrong with either your line, or the DSLAM/ISAM at the exchange.