Broadband connectivity issue; Filter? Wiring?

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timjak

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#138387 1-Jan-2014 19:16

I am getting ADSL disconnects whenever I dial out on my phone. This is a new problem and I haven't changed my network. I have a splitter installed at source (MM3200B) so my ADSL jackpoint is in theory isolated from all my phone jackpoints. I've swapped phones, I've swapped my router, I've even tried putting filters on all the jackpoints (in addition to the splitter). I've taken the adsl jackpoint apart and rewired it. Nothing works. The splitter is a completely sealed unit - is it likely it's failed? Or the gel connectors, or the wiring? I'm a bit reluctant to start rewiring everything....
My ADSL stats are fairly typically:
xDSL Line Status
Mode ADSL2+
Latency Interleave
Trellis Coding Enable
Status SHOWTIME.L0
Power Level L0
Uptime 00:17:00
Downstream Upstream
SNR Margin (dB) 12.0 12.0
Attenuation (dB) 8.5 6.0
Output Power (dBm) 11.0 8.0
Attainable Rate (Kbps) 16244 945
Rate (kbps) 13962 945
K (number of bytes in DMT frame) 173 14
R (number of check bytes in RS code word) 16 16
S (RS code word size in DMT frame) 0.39 7.50
D (interleave depth) 128 8
Delay (msec) 12.66 15.00
FEC 321 0
CRC 3 0
Total ES 2 0
Total SES 0 0
Total UAS 0 0
Total LOSS -- --

Full Init 0
Failed Full Init 0
Last Link DS Rate 0
Last Link US Rate 0
TX frames 120
RX frames 120
Synchronized time (Second) 1039
Synchronized number 1

Have I missed something obvious? Any suggestions appreciated.....

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#960073 1-Jan-2014 19:17

Is the filter a master filter? You should not use line filters if you have a master filter installed

DarthKermit

5346 posts

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Trusted

#960075 1-Jan-2014 19:17

Are you sure that your master filter is wired in correctly?

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

RunningMan

8955 posts

Uber Geek

#960097 1-Jan-2014 20:33

The MM3200B is an old filter, and given that the issue has only just stared, I assume it's been installed for some time and working OK.

There isn't much to these filters, but they can fail.

If you can disconnect the wiring to the input side (orange, should be connected with 3 way scotchloks) and just connect a single jackpoint to your incoming line and use a plug in filter to connect a single phone and your modem, that will isolate the filter as being a problem. Make a phone call and see what happens.

If there's still a fault, log an issue with your telco to get the line checked.

The problem is most likely caused by a corroded or marginal quality joint somewhere along the cable though.

timjak

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#960237 2-Jan-2014 11:50

Thanks , johnr & DarthKermit it has been the only filter on the line for the last 5 years or so and given the problem has only arisen recently I'm pretty confident it's installed correctly.

RunningMan: The MM3200B is an old filter, and given that the issue has only just stared, I assume it's been installed for some time and working OK.
There isn't much to these filters, but they can fail.
If you can disconnect the wiring to the input side (orange, should be connected with 3 way scotchloks) and just connect a single jackpoint to your incoming line and use a plug in filter to connect a single phone and your modem, that will isolate the filter as being a problem. Make a phone call and see what happens.
If there's still a fault, log an issue with your telco to get the line checked.
The problem is most likely caused by a corroded or marginal quality joint somewhere along the cable though.

Thanks RunningMan; indeed as it has been working flawlessly for some time so I'm pretty confident it is installed correctly. I will try your suggestion.

timjak

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#960386 2-Jan-2014 18:36

OK so problem is fixed but not altogether sure why. Disconnected the filter and tried just with ADSl + phone through a filter. No problems. So had a look at the wiring and replaced a joiner further down the line that was maybe dodgy; temporarily reconnected the filter and bingo - it worked fine. So reconnected the filter in its permanent position and....it stopped working again. Very odd. So disconnected the filter and reconnected it in the previous temporary position and it worked fine again. So I've moved it there. The only difference is that the demark point, where the incoming line connects to my wiring was sandwiched (<100mm) between my mains cable and copper outlet pipe from my water cylinder and now it's maybe 1 metre away. So some weird induction effect at the joint from the proximity to the mains cable and pipe? Anyway works now so thanks for the help.

RunningMan

8955 posts

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#960393 2-Jan-2014 19:05

Most likely one of the joints was a bit marginal

webwat

2036 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#961562 5-Jan-2014 16:26

Doesn't sound like a weird induction effect at all, sounds like a completely normal and predictable induction effect enhanced by the joiners acting a bit like an aerial in close proximity to the magnetic field. Maybe it was just the position of the wires had moved and picking up a bit more noise. Glad you got it fixed.

Time to find a new industry!