Is there any way to know where my Master socket is?

[Isitme]

The bit inside the circle is not the Test socket. You don't get one on this type of faceplate. As Scubbie says, you should not have 2 master sockets. Check where the line comes into your house and the first socket on that line is the master socket. The exception to this would be if the external line was passing through a junction box, then feeding 2 sockets. This is not a good idea with broadband.

[skyuser2011]

This is clearly going to be less than straight forward I'll have to think it over but if changing the master socket is the best thing my dad is a electrician and would be able to swap it over.

Did I identify the test socket correctly or do my sockets appear to have none?

BTW thank you Isitme for that link at least I know understand what most of the parts in the socket are.

[skyuser2011]

The bit inside the circle is not the Test socket. You don't get one on this type of faceplate. As Scubbie says, you should not have 2 master sockets. Check where the line comes into your house and the first socket on that line is the master socket. The exception to this would be if the external line was passing through a junction box, then feeding 2 sockets. This is not a good idea with broadband.

We used to have a junction box in the loft (who had the bright idea to put it there I'll never know) but it was removed due to being difficult to access. Does this change anything or is it still safe to replace the second Master socket?

[Scubbie]

Yes you have identified the sockets correctly.

We used to have a junction box in the loft (who had the bright idea to put it there I'll never know) but it was removed due to being difficult to access. Does this change anything or is it still safe to replace the second Master socket?

I would trace all the telephone cabling first.

With normal voice calls only, it didn't impact the connection that much when the telephone line was split in strange places. You may have had a little 'hiss', but most people put this down to the outside wiring.

ADSL benefits from a single point of entry leading to a single master socket. The shorter the line between your home and the exchange, the better. The better the line quality, the better.

Most internal extensions are not made from the best copper material. Connections can deteriorate and faults can develop.

[Isitme]

Have a look inside the other socket. If it only has one cable going into to it, that confirms it is the extension. You could also remove the ring wire from the Master if it is not already removed. This is connected to the number 3 terminal on the faceplate, it was originally used to power the bell in older phones but is now not required. It can badly effect your broadband. Take your stats, remove the wire, take the stats again and see if it makes a difference.

[skyuser2011]

This is the second master the one nearest to the box on the outside wall it is also the one the router is plugged in to.

[Isitme]

That looks like it only has one wire connected to each terminal, if this is so, it is the extension.

I would say the orange wires in the master are going to this extension and the blue wires in the master are the main incoming line.

[RUNITDIRECT]

That looks like it only has one wire connected to each terminal, if this is so, it is the extension.

I would say the orange wires in the master are going to this extension and the blue wires in the master are the main incoming line.

Certainly looks that way. What you ideally want is an NTE5 where the main cable is coming in(blue pair?), fit a filtered faceplate to this and connect the wiring that goes to the other socket (orange pair?) to 5 & 2 on the ADSL faceplate.

[skyuser2011]

Well I called Sky late yesterday and they manually reset my speed everything was fine but when I woke up today my speed had dropped like a stone so I thought I would reboot the router to see if that would help it did. Sky said to call them after 24 hours to confirm everything was working correctly so I did when I explained about my speed dropping earlier the guy said my line was on DLM again (the previous person never said that would happen) I was surprised because I thought that once the speed was manually set that would be it but apparently not and to top it all my speed has just dropped again and after my first experience I am not hopeful of a positive outcome. The guy on the second call said that the chances of me getting a bad result a second time around are not very likely and if I do it wuld indicate a problem with the wireing so it looks like another possible 10 days of this nonsense before even getting to the potential hassle of sorting out the potential mess with the phone sockets.

Thanks for all your replies guys at least if this fails again I know what course of action is probably going to have to be taken.

[Scubbie]

...the guy said my line was on DLM again (the previous person never said that would happen)...

Under specific conditions DLM will kick in again automatically.

Typically these are caused by line issues or frequently restarting the router.