ONT coming off the wall...

So I have FTTP from Zen. The ONT was installed (the small Huawei one) on my wall with double-sided tape.

It's pretty [censored] and the ONT has fallen off the wall now since the slack on the fibre cable pushes the ONT. I've tried sticking it back but it just falls off again.

Any recommendations? Should I just get different tape?

In reply to a post by adowson:

So I have FTTP from Zen. The ONT was installed (the small Huawei one) on my wall with double-sided tape.

It's pretty [censored] and the ONT has fallen off the wall now since the slack on the fibre cable pushes the ONT. I've tried sticking it back but it just falls off again.

Any recommendations? Should I just get different tape?

I thought the normal process was to put two screws in the wall then hook the ONT onto them, was there a reason the engineer didn't do that to yours?

I thought the normal process was to put two screws in the wall then hook the ONT onto them, was there a reason the engineer didn't do that to yours?

I have no idea. This is my first FTTP install. I didn't even know it was taped. He didn't mention any reason so I assume he was just rushed which to be honest is understandable.

2 x raw plugs and screws.

If you can't put holes in the wall (rental for instance) buy some double sided 3M tape or gorilla mounting tape is great.

In reply to a post by adowson:

I have no idea. This is my first FTTP install. I didn't even know it was taped. He didn't mention any reason so I assume he was just rushed which to be honest is understandable.

If it was me I would go down the two screw route rather than more double sided sticky tape, if you do make sure you power off the ONT leaving the cables still plugged into it and ensure its put in a dust tight bag before you get the holes drilled for the two screws, I would create myself a template so I know where to drill the holes.

As John says, two rawl plugs, and two screws .. IF it is safe to do so.

My guess as to why it wasn’t fitted this way was the engineers cable tracer picking up electric cabling in the vicinity where the ONT was agreed to be mounted.

Which means the OP needs to be sure the engineer was wrong? So your bold "If" is very important.

Would water pipes also be detected?

Edited by RobertoS (Wed 23-Dec-20 11:01:28)

Which means the OP needs to be sure the engineer was wrong? So your bold "If" is very important.

Yes Bob.


There are other reasons why double sided tape might have been. But the important reason is safety.

If the water pipes are metal, yes, the new plastic pipes are a [censored] ...

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

My guess as to why it wasn’t fitted this way was the engineers cable tracer picking up electric cabling in the vicinity where the ONT was agreed to be mounted.

As far as I'm aware, there's nothing there. It's an old Victorian terraced property and all the water pipes are in the cellar below. The electrical cabling is also down towards the cellar so I don't believe any wiring would be there.

The only thing that might be there is the TV aerial wire, but I'm not sure if that would be detected.

I will try get a wall scanner or something to confirm if that wall is safe, but I believe the engineer was just in a rush. They needed to re-allocate me to a different telegraph pole so the engineer had to re-attend at the end of the day.

Does anyone know the wall plug size needed?

In reply to a post by adowson:

Does anyone know the wall plug size needed?

The right one for the size of screw.

There is that ..... but please be very careful.

As Bob says, the size of the screw dictates the rawlplug size. However if the heads on the screw you use is too large, they can be a right faff to mount.

I favour the yellow plugs and an inch 8 screw.


Have you tried raising the issue with the CP, have them send Openreach back out to mount it properly ?
If you damage the fibre, you’ll get a hefty bill for fixing it.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

I favour the yellow plugs and an inch 8 screw.

Interesting I always use the red (6mm) raw plug with those.

Different strokes Dect innit.

Depends on brand of plug! Some are 5.5, others 6.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Different strokes Dect innit.

Of course Zarjaz was just saying

In reply to a post by adowson:

I thought the normal process was to put two screws in the wall then hook the ONT onto them, was there a reason the engineer didn't do that to yours?

I have no idea. This is my first FTTP install. I didn't even know it was taped. He didn't mention any reason so I assume he was just rushed which to be honest is understandable.

If you can't drill and rawl plug it, then as an alternative I'd recommend "3M Command" strips which will allow the ONT to be removed off the wall, and stuck back on securely (should that ever be needed) but also very secure and wont damage underlying surface / paint etc.

I've used them on several items where drilling isn't a goer.

In reply to a post by adowson:

So I have FTTP from Zen. The ONT was installed (the small Huawei one) on my wall with double-sided tape.

It's pretty [censored] and the ONT has fallen off the wall now since the slack on the fibre cable pushes the ONT. I've tried sticking it back but it just falls off again.

Any recommendations? Should I just get different tape?

Am I the only one who would be straight onto my ISP and have them come out and fix this? Raise a complaint with your provider, let them figure it out. They installed it poorly. I'm not in the business of fixing other tradespersons poor work.

Am I the only one who would be straight onto my ISP and have them come out and fix this? Raise a complaint with your provider, let them figure it out. They installed it poorly. I'm not in the business of fixing other tradespersons poor work.

No.

Link fixed . (Fell asleep in front of TV).

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Am I the only one who would be straight onto my ISP and have them come out and fix this? Raise a complaint with your provider, let them figure it out. They installed it poorly. I'm not in the business of fixing other tradespersons poor work.

No.

Thanks Bob.

I hope you are able to finish early today. Most supermarkets seem to be 6 or 7pm.

Off today Bob. Shopping all complete already.

Have a good one Bob.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Off today Bob. Shopping all complete already.

Have a good one Bob.

Time to spare ... you could always call round and do some prep work ready for January!

About 3pm this afternoon OR van pulls up outside. Checking out for putting in the fibre next month. He did mention we are 'out in the sticks' and can get FTTP, he lives in the nearest decent size town, and there is no FTTP there.