Can I move my Master BT Socket?
This is a question I get asked repeatedly.
Can I move my Master BT Socket?
Is it legal to move the main BT socket?
There is no law regarding your master
BT socket. Just a contract.
When it was originally installed,
sometimes in such a ridiculous place,
you will want to move it.
Sometimes the wiring has been installed by the builder or electrician,
with no thought to the end users requirements.
Who wants a master socket installed behind their front door or on a window sill?
As the house owner you can have it
where you want it.
No one can tell you different,
it’s your house.
In regards to the original BT installation, that was to suit the person before you.
The contract in place is to protect the supplier from bad installation practices, It does not protect you.
BT Openreach, also do not hide wiring and ugly installations are commonplace.
Drilling through door and window frames, wires on show down internal walls.
Wires clipped to skirting boards and many more amateur techniques.
Want to move your master BT socket?
The place it is in presently, does not work for you?
This is no problem, as long as the work is competent.
It will not interfere with your service,
causing unnecessary call outs.
Who’s going to know? Will it work?
There are no records of every wire installed in every house in the UK.
Once the incoming wire crosses your boundary – You are responsible for it.
As long as it is a competent installation,
it will be fine.
Is it dangerous?
No, It’s scarier crossing a London road.
Am I breaking the law?
What law is there to break?
You are in a contract with certain requirements.
Openreach are not the law,
just another large corporation.
If the cable comes from overhead,
“Do Not” lower its height,
there are legal safety heights to respect.
Attach to where it meets your property and reroute to where you want it.
Does anybody really care?
I suggest “not really”, the socket is where you want it to be now.
You are what matters.
It is not a gas or electric meter
Touching it will not affect you.
You are only bound by a “contract” protecting the provider.
There is not a common law, involving the Police, about shifting a BT master socket.
Don’t be fooled by gossip.
Know the facts about a telephone socket & a piece of wire.
It’s not illegal to change it, move it or
open it.
Would you really expect the police to be interested??
BT boundary for your wiring responsibility
The picture below, taken from the Openreach website clearly shows the way they see your contract. It states:
BT Home Improvement Service – information and charges
We won’t be able to tell you if there’s a charge
until after an engineer visits your premises.
It’s free of charge if the problem is with our network
outside the boundary of your premises.
As you can see, the purple line denotes that you are responsible for any wiring
after the boundary line of your premises.
Moving the master makes no difference to the contract scenario.
You’ll still be responsible regardless of it being moved or not.
Can I move my Master BT Socket to a new location
Here is an installation of a master socket that the homeowner
was not at all happy about.
Would you be?
The Openreach employee had no idea of what they was doing, drilling from outside,
in to the house.
Damaging the window sill, leaving a loop of wire on show and showing how “not” to install a BT master socket
On this occasion, BT engineer London, removed the socket,
pulled the wiring back through and shifted the telephone cable
to where it should have been when first installed.
Down near the skirting and next to a power socket.
A reasonable place for any home and no damage to the property.
Openreach would not come back and fix their bad work:
Instead they quoted £130+vat + £69 per hour as a call out – plus parts to replace the socket.
Can I move my Master BT Socket? Yes..!
My master socket is in the wrong place
I have seen master sockets installed in various strange places.
BT engineer London can move any socket to any location you require.
If your master socket is in the wrong place, we can move it.
This installation by Openreach shows a situation you don’t have to put up with.
The client was told by the
Openreach employee,
“the incoming wire comes through at the top of the window, the master socket needs to go at this point“.
This is not the case, you can have the socket anywhere you want within the guidelines set out by your provider, during installation.
Rectifying the above was an easy fix.
Removing the BT connection boxes, pulling out the incoming wire,
then re-cabling it closer to the front part of the house.
Drilled through the wall and installed the socket in a more acceptable location.
It now sits behind the TV in the lounge.
Can I move my Master BT Socket? – Of course you can!
Just don’t mess it up…! Or it could cost you.
Need to ask a question?
Not happy with your installation?
Leave a comment below
All the above scenarios were easily rectified and a professional job completed for the home owners.
You don’t need to put up with an ugly wire drilled through the window or on show along the wall.
This makes so much sense. Thanks for the write up. It puts it all into perspective. A master BT socket is really a piece of wire with a box on the end. I have since moved mine and couldn’t be happier. The original must have been installed 30 years ago and was completely in the wrong place. Thanks again.
Hi, 30 years ago broadband wasn’t about, Im sure it was time for an update. Im glad it helped. Bob
I read some comments online regarding this scenario, my master socket was installed by BT a few weeks back, so many said “it’s illegal to touch it”. I cannot believe people listen to such rubbish. Anyway the workmanship by Openreach was so terrible I had no choice other than to do it myself. Great write up.
Theres nothing worst than seeing wires on show when they can be easily hidden. Best of luck. Bob
I need to move my master socket (now on windowsill). But the outside supply cable is not long enough to move socket near to skirting. How can I use a new continuous longer length of supply cable?
You would need to get some external grade telephone cabling & a waterproof joint to extend it.
Better than that if you’re London or Essex bound, give us a call.
Thanks Bob.
Hi Bob, my master socket is in the hallway & I also have an extension socket behind my TV but when i connect my router to it, it doesn’t work. Can you kindly advise.
Cheers
Thanks for your enquiry. You may have an SSFP socket in the hallway (Service specific Front Plate). It’s a socket that stops the broadband from continuing down the line. Email a pic of the hallway socket & I can advise. Best regards.
I want drill a hole for curtains but my master socket is in the way. It’s a 5c mk4 and I need to drill about a foot above it. Does the wiring in wall run down to the ground or up through the ceiling? Many thanks
Hi, sorry I would have no way of knowing how the original cable was put in. It could go either way. When installing a BT master socket to your premise you can generally see the cabling come from outside to in. If you have a “new build” then generally an electrician or builder will run the cabling of which becomes your property. If it is fitted into the wall, you could undo the retaining screws of the telephone socket and see which way the cables run. Thanks for your enquiry.
If I am wanting to move my master socket who do I use would it be an electrician? Or someone more specific to phone lines etc? Thank you in advance.
Hi Leanne – Why would you use an electrician?? Would you use a gardener makes as much sense?
Always use the skilled trade:
A telephone engineer will be able to test your connection on completion. A telephone engineer will have the correct tools.
A telephone engineer will know how to correct any related broadband problems to give you the best speeds possible.
An electrician does electrics not communications.
Thanks for a good and honest post Bob. Our master socket is near window sill in the corner of the house and also extended internally to a tv connection point. Now while both are in living room, we struggle with wifi signal at fsr corners of the house. So ideal place would be near entrance porch to put a router, as its in center of the house. The best way to do this would be to extend the wire externally and move the socket. So hopfully entire house gets enough signal. Please advice.
Hi Sid: All housing construction is different, thicker walls, foiled insulation etc.- Wifi signals in general, if sent from a central point in the building are transmitted more efficiently around the area. Saying that though, it will depend on the size of your property. Wifi isn’t infinite – It has a send & receive range.
Yes is the answer to your question: At the incoming point of the BT wire, install a new comms wire to the new location. If the wire is to be used externally get an external grade wire.
Hi, my original socket was in my hallway & when I went with BT a few years ago they suggested I use the socket in my bedroom as the main socket, as at the time my PC was in the bedroom. Since then I have left BT and want my socket in the hallway to be the master. Everything we use that needs WiFi is downstairs.
When I asked a Sky employee about this he said “BT had done something to my socket and I’d have to stick with using the one upstairs.
This causes issues when we all need the internet at the same time.
Can you please advise?
Many thanks Alison
Hi Alison – This can be easily rectified. The Sky employee is not a telephone engineer.
Any local Ex-BT engineer would be able to do this for you quite easily.
Have you tried finding a local ex BT engineer? What area are you in?
Try here: http://ex-btengineer.co.uk/
Lets get it sorted for you – If you need any assistance in finding someone, let know via email: btengineerlondon@gmail.com
Thanks.
Hi,
Have recently been discussing the possibility of moving (or at least duplicating) my NTE5C Master socket which is currently in a small room at the front of my property. I want to have it in the lounge where it would be more accessible and central. My first inclination was to purchase a new NTE5C with VDSL MK4 and a VDSL MK4 for the original MS. I intended to connect a CW1308 cable to the A&B on the original Master socket replacement faceplate and run it to my lounge. At that point, I intended to connect the CW1308 to the ‘service’ side of the relocated NTE5C and then plugging in the VDSL MK4 faceplate. However, I have been told that this would create a dual filter scenario and would stop my signal as the A&B connection on the VDSL faceplate at the original site is filtered. Is this correct? Would I not be able to relocate in this manner?
Many thanks. John.
Hi John
Yes – you will be filtering a filter.
For the correct functionality of your service you must have a direct, main feed to a master socket at connections A & B.
This, I assume will now be, the routers new position, fitting the Mk4, (dual faceplate). At this Socket the service will be split, Bbnd one side & dial tone the other.
Using the extension outlets inside the Mk4 socket, dial tone can then be extended on CW1308 using terminals 2 & 5.
If you are going to feed another master socket from this point (Not a Mk4 dual plate, no need as there will be no Bbnd to deal with) – only use 2&5. Should it feed a slave socket use 2,5 & 3.
If you need someone local to your area for a visit: Use http://www.ex-btengineer.co.uk to see if they can help.
Thank you
Hi,
Many thanks for your prompt response. So, in a nutshell, I cannot do what I intended, link one NTE5C to another NTE5C via the A&B terminals. So, what would the situation be if I removed the existing NTE5C, and;
1. Replaced it with a BT80A; then
2. Run the cable, I assume I would need specific cable rather than CW1308 – please advise, up into the loft and down into the lounge; then
3. Connect the cable to the A&B terminals on the back of the NTE5C; then
4. Insert the VDSL MK4.
Would this work, and what consequences would I face from Openreach should they ever come out to check the installation for any faults?
Your help is much appreciated as currently the location of the Master socket is in a small room at the front and I have to run power leads from one side of the room to the router and cordless base station. Consequently these power leads cross the doorway which is dangerous for my wife who is blind and continually trips over them.
John.
Is it possible to remove the BT wiring & socket completely?
I haven’t used BT for over 10 years and the socket is on my front window sill.
I am just about to have new windows and the room plastered and would like to just remove the socket as I have no need for it .
Can I do this?
If you have no contract with any supplier using the BT network, there is nothing stopping you from removing any unwanted equipment.
It’s your house – Not theirs.
If you want a new connection sometime in the future, a provider will fit you a new line & socket when required.
Some may have a free connection offer – Some may have a fitting charge.
When I’ve had a porch added to my house the builder noted that the cable running down from the eaves had perished (which would explain some intermittent issues we’ve had over the years), but when Openreach came out to replace the cable for a small fee they noted that because the porch stops them simply going up a ladder we would have to pay substantially more to move the overhead wire.
Is this correct? Or can my builder rewire from the box at the eaves down to the master socket??
Thanks very much
Yes you can repair yourself.
Any BT telephone wire on your property can be changed quite easily.
As long as you use an external grade telephone wire, it should be quite an easy replacement.
Thanks for your enquiry.
Hi,
We currently have our master socket in the lounge in a position which leaves the hub either behind the sofa, or plugs and wiring on display. Can we have the wiring diverted externally and relocate the hub in
a bedroom. This is probably more central in the house so I wouldn’t think it would effect the Wi-Fi signal much.
Hi Dan yes you can.
The BT telephone wire that connects to your property can quite easily be shifted to suit you.
The new BT telephone wiring can be run externally to a new location & fitted where you want it.
Thanks
My master socket is behind the tv in the living room. The tv is now mounted in the wall which exposes the sockets below, one being the master socket. I want to fit a floating tv unit to the wall to hide the sockets but the master socket is above the rest.
How would I move the socket 4” down and 4” to the right? This will be the other side of a wooden wall stud and this is an internal wall in a new build house
Thanks
Hi Scott – Seeing a picture would make your question a little easier to answer. – Please email to: btengineeerlondon@gmail.com
You would just need to extend the wiring from point A to point B – I dont think that’s the answer you’re looking for, so as I say, a pic can speak a 1000 words.
Thanks
Thank you for the speedy response. There was just enough wiring to reach to point B. I just drilled a hole in the stud and poked it through.
Thanks again
Scott
I have a few extra telephone ports coming off of the main line but would like to relocate the master and remove the additional boxes. How do I wire the master box in order to ensure I do a competent job when relocating it?
Hi Jake – There are various YouTube videos to search for this telephone wiring enquiry.
Without being at your premise I couldn’t give you an exact step by step scenario I’m afraid.
Hi, I have an old junction box which the incoming orange and white cable feeds into. It sits just above the master socket.
From the old junction box I can feed into the master socket.
The old junction box is unsightly. I have no use for extensions to other parts of the house.
Am I right in thinking I can just rewire the orange and white direct into the BT telephone socket connectors then get rid of the old junction box?
Hi Jake – Yes the BT master socket can be wired directly onto the feed colours as described.
I have a similar situation with the orange and white cables and want to remove the junction box – which colour feeds into the A socket and which to the B if I fit a new NTE5C master socket?
Many thanks
Hi Neil – The BT landline telephone sockets (Not telephone systems) for the UK, the A & B are not polarity conscious. They can go into either connection.
My wire coming from the BT junction box between me and my neighbour is old and has a cracked sheath in many places which is letting in water when it rains . I’ve used pvc tape to patch the cracks up and prevent water ingress. Would this be open reach or BT’s issue as it’s the main wire to my master socket.
The connection works ok, but I fear that more water will enter my socket
Hi Graeme – Thanks for your enquiry.
It would appear you have the wrong grade of cable installed at your premise. An external grade cable would not split or corrode.
Eventually the cable will deteriorate & I expect your telephone line would suffer crackling & general interference + broadband dropouts.
If it is the cable that feeds your house from the DP or pole, then “Yes” your service provider would be responsible for it.
Although you will not get a site callout for an “upkeep / maintenance” issue.
The only time someone would come out from your SP: would be to fix a fault, that has stopped your service from working.
Sometimes, we have found, they will charge, even though you are not directly responsible, it puts you in the situation of trying to claim back for works under their guarantee of service.
Hello,
Do you have an email address I could contact you on?
Thank you,
Hi, please send any enquiries to: btengineerlondon@gmail.com
Thank you
Hi
I have my telephone wires going into my house(2 joining the house wires) I wish to branch off these at that point is that possible? The 2 wires go to my mastersocket inside my house.
For the best efficiency of any telephone / broadband service – You never want to “tee” into the cabling & make it “star wired”.
It should always run from the master to the extension socket. Unless of course you are doing away with the original master & making your new wiring the master feed cable.
I need to move my socket 6 inches to create a door opening. If I disconnect the incoming cables to my socket will that cause any problems with connectivity
Hi John – If you disconnect the incoming cables to the BT telephone socket – It will not work.
If you mean “disconnect the cables” – Then “reconnect” them because you want to move it to a different location,this should be ok & you will only lose service whilst the wires are disconnected.
I want to move my main line, tv company said I’d need to ask bt to do this … I’m guessing from this thread that I can move it but I’m happy for bt to move it… roughly how much do they charge, literally it’s from one side of the bay window to the other( where sockets are!)
Hi – I have no idea of the charges Openreach set. Usually they’re quite expensive compared to a self employed tech.
I do know that they dont hide the cables. They clip them visibly on show and don’t make a neat job most of the time.
(Also – there’s no come back if you’re not happy – You have to explain yourself to a call centre)
If you use a local telephone engineer, you’ll definitely get a better price & someone who cares about the task at hand.
Take a look on http://www.ex-btengineer.co.uk for a local specialist.
I will be having full fibre line installed in my house. I want Openreach to follow the same path of my existing copper line which goes along the eaves and then continues to the side eaves of the house with entry into the back of the attic where router is located , there is no drop to the bottom of the house at all. I doubt Openreach will follow this path claiming h&s and might ask me to relocate the router to front of house for an easier install Would a local telephone engineer be more accommodating?
Hi Hamish
The fibre being installed is unlike a copper cable connection, with copper you can cut it and rejoin it in several places.
This fibre optic installation has to be one continuous length and no joins are permitted within its length.
I expect your estimation, of the way Openreach installs, is correct.
I doubt very much they are going to try and accommodate an “eaves” entry service to the rear of the house.
All I can advise is that you get the path to where you want it, as safe and accessible as possible.
Maybe even offering to put the “fibre tubing” in place yourself, if they don’t want to help get it where you want it to go.
Your question of “would a local telephone engineer help” is out of remit for this situation.
If the fibre service ends up going to an easier “installation” area – Then a local guy could help, by installing an ethernet link to where you need the service to go.
Hi, my BT master socket is in the hall and I want to move it to the other side of the same wall partition, in the living room, so effectively only moving it a few inches. I’d also like to swap the master socket to a silver one (which I’ve bought)
Is this just a simple case of checking the colours of the wires coming into the current socket, installing the new socket in the wall and popping the wires back in the same numbers? Will I get a shock from the wires at all?
Hi “yes” just put the colours back like for like.
It’s a 50V DC battery feeding the circuit – No, you don’t get a shock under normal conditions.
Although if someone rings the line, whilst touching the bare wires, you can get a…”kick” from it.
If you are actually moving the master point – Be aware that you will not have a genuine test socket fitted now.
Should a telephone fault occur, you put yourself in line for possible charges from your provider.