Line tests during the night affecting burglar alarm

[#1]

We've been having trouble with our burglar alarm during the night. The alarm engineer's said it's the phone company running tests during the night, it's disconnecting the line and being registering on the system as a fault.  

Does our line get tested at night on a regular basis? Is this something BT can solve or is the alarm that needs adjusting?

Thanks.

[#2]

Hi there, 

No, we don't test the line unless we're contacted by yourself about an issue so I'm not sure why they think that might be happening. 

Do you have a phone plugged into the line? if so I'd check to see if there's any audible background noise, you might want to try a quiet line test by dialling 17070 too. 

[#3]

OK thanks.

There is a phone on the same line but there's no noise that I can hear at the moment.

[#4]

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@adamwalker wrote:

No, we don't test the line unless we're contacted by yourself about an issue so I'm not sure why they think that might be happening. 

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BT certainly used to - maybe Openreach still do it.

[#5]

We're still having problems on and off.

The alarm company inform me we've had line regular drops this month on the 3rd, 8th and 13th July. So 5 days apart, all around 1:15am or 2:15am (not sure if it's GMT or BST). It's only for a 15 seconds or so but enough for the alarm to register it as a voltage drop and apparently they can't just tell the system we have to ignore it. 

There's no fault to report and I understand Plusnet don't do regular line tests but can you investigate whether BT are doing this please? If so, can they be stopped or made less frequently? Thanks.

[#6]

I’m not aware of BT peforming tests but I am not sure if they do.

You just need to rule out a fault. I wonder if PlusNet could post a RADIUS log graph and whether that shows drops around the same time as the alarm company say?

[#7]

Hi there, Openreach don't do any kind of automated or periodic line test either. Whatever issue the alarm company are seeing isn't affecting your broadband at least as you've had a 69+ day connection which is really good. 

OK for me to test your line for faults? I ask as it might cause the alarm to drop out briefly. 

[#8]

OK. Yes you can do a line test.

[#9]

Hi @BigDaz 

I've just tested your line and there have been no issues flagged by either a GEA or WLR3 test. 

@Alex - Below is a RADIUS read out showing a constant session without drops in connection for over 70 days, hope this helps.

I'm afraid we are not finding anything which could corroborate the information your Alarm Company is stating. 

Thanks

[#10]

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@adamwalker wrote:

Openreach don't do any kind of automated or periodic line test

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This thread would suggest otherwise.

Also interesting to note that the solution in that case was to adjust the 'line fault delay' time on the alarm system.

Maybe there's a similar adjustment facility on the OP's alarm system?

[#11]

Our suppliers would only run a line test on the back of an order or fault and there's none open.

[#12]

OK. Thanks for the info chaps.

[#13]

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@198kHz wrote:

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@adamwalker wrote:

Openreach don't do any kind of automated or periodic line test

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This thread would suggest otherwise.

Also interesting to note that the solution in that case was to adjust the 'line fault delay' time on the alarm system.

Maybe there's a similar adjustment facility on the OP's alarm system?

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Apparently our system doesn't have that feature. A new system would but they won't replace it because it's not broken. They'll fit a new one if we pay them a lot of money 😕