Chopped phone line!

[Guineafowl]

Just had the broadband/phone set up in the new house, but no go.

Outside, the 4-conductor (2 pair?) cable has been cut twice as it snakes through a hedge - PO didn’t use the line, so probably didn’t realise.

I could do with it up and running tomorrow. Are these the right things to get? (Screwfix is on the way there):

Philex 8-Way IDC Junction Box - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Ideal for joining 2, 3 or 4 pair telephone and alarm cables, as well as Cat 5e ethernet cables. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Time White 2-Pair 4-Core Unshielded Telephone Cable 50m Drum - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Low voltage. Not for mains use. Suitable for use with telephone outlets. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Philex Spring Action Punch Down Tool - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Lightweight, easy to use tool for wiring most IDC connections. Includes built-in cutter. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Just to get me up and running. I see the joiner and line are not suitable for outdoor use, but that won’t matter short-term.

 

[Barking Mat]

Surely your provider should be fixing it, not you ?

 

[sparkysy]

Get some gel crimps from your local wholesalers CEF stock them. Then get some gel filled boxes and insert the gel crimps and outer sheath into that. Should last for years!

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/4306119-uy-2-port-butt-type-gel-filled-idc-connector-pack-of-25

Raytech Gel Cover 6 2-Entry 3-Pole IPX8 Mini Gel Joint Green - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Pre-filled joint designed to snap shut to ensure safe electrical connections. Accommodates 3-core flexible cables up to 6mm straight though and 1.5mm branched or 4-way. Alternatively can accommodate 2-core flexible cables up to 4mm straight through. Reuseable and...

www.screwfix.com

 

[Guineafowl]

Surely your provider should be fixing it, not you ?

Oh, yes, but when would that be?

 

[Agrismith]

Visit arbtalk and you will see anything from wagos to automotive crimp connectors will get you going.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Jelly crimps are really the only suitable method.

 

[Mark 5]

Just had the broadband/phone set up in the new house, but no go.

Outside, the 4-conductor (2 pair?) cable has been cut twice as it snakes through a hedge - PO didn’t use the line, so probably didn’t realise.

I could do with it up and running tomorrow. Are these the right things to get? (Screwfix is on the way there):

Philex 8-Way IDC Junction Box - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Ideal for joining 2, 3 or 4 pair telephone and alarm cables, as well as Cat 5e ethernet cables. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Time White 2-Pair 4-Core Unshielded Telephone Cable 50m Drum - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Low voltage. Not for mains use. Suitable for use with telephone outlets. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Philex Spring Action Punch Down Tool - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Lightweight, easy to use tool for wiring most IDC connections. Includes built-in cutter. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Just to get me up and running. I see the joiner and line are not suitable for outdoor use, but that won’t matter short-term.

You say it's short term, I understand, but there are so many reasons why the way you wish to proceed is unsuitable but your method will work for a short while.

Depending on length of cable run purchase something like this, it has all the tools including an almost useless plastic punch down tool but will do the job.

Don't forget to use the nylon ties, the box is IP nothing but will grip the cables better and wrap the whole lot in plastic or a couple of plastic bags, got to keep the water/moisture out.

You will soon be repeating the exercise, next time around with the correct materials but the repair above will get you out of trouble.

Why you are not using a better method/material you have not explained.

 

[Guineafowl]

I’ll call the engineer out, but I doubt he’ll turn up for a while. This is just to keep me going for tomorrow and the next week or so.

I imagine the copper will be corroded, so I’ll have to strip back a bit, hence need extra cable. If I’m picking that up, I may as well get some junction boxes and punch-down tool. Might be handy for extending the line in the future, or doing ethernet stuff.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I’ll call the engineer out, but I doubt he’ll turn up for a while. This is just to keep me going for tomorrow and the next week or so.

I imagine the copper will be corroded, so I’ll have to strip back a bit, hence need extra cable. If I’m picking that up, I may as well get some junction boxes and punch-down tool. Might be handy for extending the line in the future, or doing ethernet stuff.

All unnecessary. Jelly crimps are designed for the job, fully waterproof and IDC, even without a housing. You can punch them down with a pair of pliers. Maybe chat up the next Openreach bunny you spot and see if he will give you a handful?

 

[Guineafowl]

Sounds reasonable, but I’ve just checked the local CEF, an hour’s diversion, and they’re out of stock of all gel crimps. So are the surrounding ones.

 

[Mark 5]

Sounds reasonable, but I’ve just checked the local CEF, an hour’s diversion, and they’re out of stock of all gel crimps. So are the surrounding ones.

You can do all of this correctly using eBay.

External BT Drop cable from either eBay or Screwfix, ( spare pairs are always useful however ), and one of these from eBay.

 

[Guineafowl]

You can do all of this correctly using eBay.

External BT Drop cable from either eBay or Screwfix, ( spare pairs are always useful however ), and one of these from eBay.

Ebay ordered now will come Tues/Weds, that’s the problem. Note my location.

 

[m_c]

If it's just a temporary fix, just use whatever you have to join the wires back together.

Gel is used as along term thing, but if it's only for a few days, whatever you use isn't going to corrode in a few days.

 

[Dave-sparks]

If it's a temporary until the phone provider can send an engineer to do a proper repair then pretty much anything that connects the two wires together will work.

Even a twist and tape will work for that scenario.

Just be aware that the 50Volts on the line can give you a bit of a surprise if you make contact. And if any phones are left off the hook it gets even more surprising as it can rise up to nearer 100Volts.

 

[Guineafowl]

If it's just a temporary fix, just use whatever you have to join the wires back together.

Gel is used as along term thing, but if it's only for a few days, whatever you use isn't going to corrode in a few days.

Can I use some spare cat5 cable to make up the length? Got some of that, and some teeny terminal blocks or wagos. That would save buying anything.

I’d solder/heat shrink it, but probably too tarnished.

 

[Dave-sparks]

Can I use some spare cat5 cable to make up the length? Got some of that, and some teeny terminal blocks or wagos. That would save buying anything.

I’d solder/heat shrink it, but probably too tarnished.

Yes, cat 5 is higher grade of cable than telephone cable so will be fine

 

[brightspark]

If it's just a temporary fix, just use whatever you have to join the wires back together.

Gel is used as along term thing, but if it's only for a few days, whatever you use isn't going to corrode in a few days.

yep just use some red crimped conectors chucked in a chocbox in a polly bag taped up i did it on a 50 meter run using internal white 4 core along a hedge was there 6 month before we ran external cable with proper joints in ducting

 

[Guineafowl]

Thanks all - that’s saved a lot of faff. Cider time.

 

[ukracer]

Raytech Gel Cover 4 2-Entry 2-Pole IPX8 Mini Gel Joint Green - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Pre-filled joint designed to snap shut to ensure safe electrical connections. Accommodates 2-core flexible cables up to 4mm straight through, or 2-core 1.5mm cables branched or 4-way. Reuseable and suitable for permanent submersion or burying. Can fit 2 x Wago 221...

www.screwfix.com

 

[colnerov]

If it's a temporary until the phone provider can send an engineer to do a proper repair then pretty much anything that connects the two wires together will work.

Even a twist and tape will work for that scenario.

Just be aware that the 50Volts on the line can give you a bit of a surprise if you make contact. And if any phones are left off the hook it gets even more surprising as it can rise up to nearer 100Volts.

Ahh yes, the good old back EMF.