Openreach Master Socket location is crucial

[#1]

This thread is to help other people having the same trouble with dropouts that I have had over the last 5-months: -

The master socket is located on the skirting board under my desk in such a position that it is too easy to touch it and cause dropouts. I never realised just how sensitive to touch it is. If you look at the 'Dropouts by me' photo you can see the voyage of discovery I have had. The slightest disturbance of the DSL wire or the Master Socket bodywork is enough to cause a dropout. Just a light tap with a finger on the side of the box is enough.

I have taped up the DSL cable to keep it away from possible contact with my feet.

I have screwed a protective footboard to my desk to cover the socket.

I have removed wood from the skirting board underneath the socket to create a gap so that impacts to the skirting board do not get transmitted to the master socket.

Never allow Openreach to install a master socket under your desk (as I did) or anywhere that it is possible to touch by accident.

[#2]

Hi @Madeleyite 

Those Openreach NTE5C snap on faceplates are very sensitive to being knocked.

A very poor design in my opinion.

The front plates appear to come loose by looking at them!.

At my late Mothers house I gave up and discarded the front plate using a plug in micro filter instead.

Then covered the untidy wiring behind a wooden cover.

Regards

Richard