Forum Topic

BT socket

My BT master phone socket is damaged and needs to be replaced. Anyone suggest a good local tradesman? I dread to think of how much BT would charge.

David Eales ● 5156d14 Comments

BT "Wholesale", otherwise known as OpenReach, are responsible for fixing faults, and the rule is that the engineer should totally fix the fault, no matter what is the cause, and however long it takes to cure. There will be an internal inquiry if there is a recall for the same reported fault within 28 days. BT OpenReach charge a set minimum fee (of about £200?) to the retail provider, either BT Retail or any other supplier, if the fault was due to the customer or could be shown not to exist, which causes all providers to reconsider reporting faults.

Chris Bell ● 5151d

At least if they screw up changing over the BT socket the penalty is just a bill to fix the problem accompanied by a good ticking off from BT and not death or a fire!

Tony Colliver ● 5151d

From my experience the population appears to have been dumbed down to the point that they hardly capable of doing anything for themselves, and BT would rather they do not even try.

Chris Bell ● 5151d

It is not the replacement socket that is at danger of blowing the line fuse in the exchange but the act of swapping over to a new socket when performed by someone unpracticed in the manual dexterity required.Said dexterity is not required at a particularly high level, but it can still be a daunting experience for those who never became entirely comfortable with wiring up their own 13A plugs - a surprising and growing percentage of the population I think you will find.

Tony Colliver ● 5151d

Is it so completely broken that it can not be glued or taped together well enough to work?

Chris Bell ● 5154d

The other thing is that if it is BT property that needs repairing from the master socket back to the exchange then I think that you do not have to pay for repaits, it is part of the service. Anything after the BT master socket in your house is outside their service contract and so you would need to pay for it. BT's responsibility includes the master socket as that is part of the service it is delivering.I do not think that you would have to pay to have the master socket itself repaired or replaced.

Marc Races ● 5155d

The other thing is that if it is BT property that needs repairing from the master socket back to the exchange then I think that you do not have to pay for repaits, it is part of the service. Anything after the BT master socket in your house is outside their service contract and so you would need to pay for it. BT's responsibility includes the master socket as that is part of the service it is delivering.I do not think that you would have to pay to have the master socket itself repaired or replaced.

Marc Races ● 5155d

A good point.Not that I could advocate this, but genuine (with the logo) BT master sockets are available on a very well-known internet auction site for under ten pounds each.

Nigel Brooks ● 5155d

I am sorry, I didn't explain myself well enough. If there is another fault on the line, e.g. a line fuse blowing or something else and the BT engineer check your master socket and finds that it is not a BT master socket then you will find that you are in breach of your contract, and then you may become liable for other things. I am all for DIY wiring (just follow the instructions), however, be aware of the risk involved.

Marc Races ● 5155d

The OEM copies are frequently identical apart from the markings which identify those actually installed by BT.

Chris Bell ● 5155d

The OEM (copy) sockets from reputable suppliers are typically made by the same people that make them for BT (e.g. Austin Taylor) so 'fuse blowing isn't an issue.As to BT charges, the listed (Section 15 of the current BT price list) charge for a BT engineering visit is £108.33 +VAT.Is it any wonder people do their own wiring?

Nigel Brooks ● 5156d

BT only supply a master socket that is clearly identified as their property and installed by them, they are not available anywhere else with the same marking.

Chris Bell ● 5156d

With Care! The master BT belongs to BT as does the wire running into the socket. If something goes wrong that for example blows the line fuse at the exchange and you do not have a BT-originated master socket then they have the right (I do not know if they would actually bother to charge though) to charge you for fixing that fault. Everything up to and including the master socket belongs to them with quite clear legal demarcation lines involved. They are responsible for the upkeep (free-of-charge) of their property. I suspect that they will probably change the socket free of charge if you say it is accidental. Please ask them before landing yourself with further problems.

Marc Races ● 5156d

DavidIt is a really easy DIY job, really easy.If you buy a new master socket (make sure it is a master, if in doubt your old socket will have a code stamped in it, normally something like NTE5) they often come with the little 'punchdown' tool, if not these are available for under £2 on the web.All you have to do is note where the two (or three) wires go on the old socket and simply replicate it.It really should take you no more than 10 minutes to fix (including a congratulatory cuppa).

Nigel Brooks ● 5156d