Untidy fibre install - what can I do with these cables?

Hi all,

I recently had fibre installed at my house.

When the engineer arrived, they said that the existing conduit which the copper line was coming through was too tight for the fibre cable and so they advised entering the property elsewhere.

Another entry point was identified around the side of the house - however this would require cable to be run from the front of the house to the side. I asked the engineer if he could run the cable underneath the stones around the house but they said that wasn't possible (not sure why!?) and instead said that he'd go underneath the window sill, but it wouldn't be visible from the road.

Anyway, this is what I was left with...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GjWRSPGLj2vQU5QB6

I think it looks really messy, and I don't like the idea of someone being tempted to come along and snip the cable.

So my question is now, can I unclip the cable and bury it in the stones (inside split conduit, wrapped in waterproof tape/sheeting)?

Or does anyone have any other ideas?

The fibre is pre terminated at the ONT end and spliced in the grey box outside (CSP).

The only way you'll be able to drop the wire to ground level would be to unclip the fibre from the wall and remove the downpipe clips.
You would need to hope they have left you enough slack for that.

In reply to a post by j0hn83:

The fibre is pre terminated at the ONT end and spliced in the grey box outside (CSP).

The only way you'll be able to drop the wire to ground level would be to unclip the fibre from the wall and remove the downpipe clips.
You would need to hope they have left you enough slack for that.

Yes, that's a concern!

I'd hope that running it along the ground, and not having the cable climb the wall first, would provide additional slack.

Do you, or anyone else know if there's any problems with burying the cable under stones? The engineer said he couldn't do it.... but I think that might have been a laziness problem, rather than a logistical one.

Someone (window cleaner, painter) standing a ladder on it, tripping over it etc

Bottom line - mechanical damage and/or trip hazard.

In reply to a post by BLACKBIRDSR71:

Hi all,

Anyway, this is what I was left with...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GjWRSPGLj2vQU5QB6

I think it looks really messy, and I don't like the idea of someone being tempted to come along and snip the cable.

So my question is now, can I unclip the cable and bury it in the stones (inside split conduit, wrapped in waterproof tape/sheeting)?

Or does anyone have any other ideas?

From the pictures moving it to ground level is doable if you unscrew the black conditut thing. but clipping it to the wall with some more gravel to hide it. The fibre install does look a mess so it might be worth in the first instance to see what your isp says.

the cable from my untrained eyes looks very tight going into the csp as well.

As long as there is enough cable and you are very careful with the bend radius etc. I can't see why not? I'm guessing the engineer didn't want to dig up and replace all the stones!

My understanding is that underground installs require specific ducting similar to what virginmedia use https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9...

If unavailable they can only do above ground.

If you can get ducting and lay underground this would be a best option subject to cable length.

You won't be able to do that for an existing terminated fibre though. Maybe some flexi tube split all along its length, but it's not going to give much protection.

Personally I think it's better left as-is.

"standing a ladder on it, tripping over it etc"

How can something attached to a wall be a trip hazard?

Yeah, that was my idea originally - to run it in split flexible tubing under the stones, close to the wall. I'd wrap the tubing in some kind of waterproof tape/membrane.

It's a lot of work, but at least it would be tidy.

I'm tempted to go down that route.

Watch the great British workman. He can be ingenious.

In reply to a post by BLACKBIRDSR71:

...this is what I was left with...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GjWRSPGLj2vQU5QB6

I think it looks really messy, and I don't like the idea of someone being tempted to come along and snip the cable.

So my question is now, can I unclip the cable and bury it in the stones (inside split conduit, wrapped in waterproof tape/sheeting)?

Or does anyone have any other ideas?

The current installation looks OK to me - feed to the CSP is best left undisturbed since you probably don't have sufficient slack to bury the fibre cable (together with improvised wrapping ) in an adequate manner.

Any consideration regarding an alteration to the current installation really should be addressed to your ISP if you believe it to be "messy" and potentially vulnerable to vandalism or accidental damage.

Good luck

Edited by 4M2 (Tue 09-May-23 16:38:33)

And in years to come when the fibre gets damaged ?

Would it not be easier to just paint the cable a concrete grey and take some of the visual impact away (I'm presume it's a visual thing that concerns you most)?

In reply to a post by aquiss:

Would it not be easier to just paint the cable a concrete grey and take some of the visual impact away (I'm presume it's a visual thing that concerns you most)?

Yes, but definitely not brick red LOL!

Its not the straightest cable I've ever seen but I would personally leave well alone as it could go from bad to worse if you have to explain what you've done if things go south.

In reply to a post by BLACKBIRDSR71:

Or does anyone have any other ideas?

Ignore it, looks a lot better than cabling on many older homes elsewhere in the UK.

shrug your shoulders and blame the previous owners if it is sufficiently long ago

Do you, or anyone else know if there's any problems with burying the cable under stones? The engineer said he couldn't do it.... but I think that might have been a laziness problem, rather than a logistical one.

Yes, I do.

Unless through a robust conduit, any pressure/weight above will squeeze the fibre, and eventually it will cause a fault. Seen it happen often enough with copper.

I’d be ringing the ISP you ordered via, and have them get it rectified.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

I’d be ringing the ISP you ordered via, and have them get it rectified.

quite. I think the op has a case for it to be redone, but also i think the op many need to extra for what he wants. Which is actually reasonable, i can see why he's upset

I get the feeling the OP is not going to be happy unless the fibre cable between those two points is put underground so if the OP can get the ISP to get Openreach back they will need to have a workable solution that the engineer is willing to implement. Maybe the OP needs to preinstall some 25mm ducting as I can't see the engineer doing it.

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

My understanding is that underground installs require specific ducting similar to what virginmedia use https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9...
<snip>

VM ?? My external cable is just about under the grass sods in the garden and yes, there is NO conduit or trunking of any sort. I still look out the window and wonder what "drunken man" did the most crooked cable laying I've every seen. Still, it's good for a laugh and the grass will cover it up soon enough.

Edited by Adduxi (Wed 10-May-23 12:39:05)

I completely agree, Dect. What he's asked though isn't unreasonable, its just that its not really part of the install (for that installer).

I'm not sure if there's a route for him to have the work done foc but maybe on paid basis, but i think even then premium install doesn't cover it. With copper he could have got that sorted out but with pre-terminated fibre, you are more or less stuck with the external cabling. Has anyone ever got their external fibre cable moved?

I doubt where the cable is somebody is going to snip the cable but i see why he doesn't like it - it looks horrible.

In fairness, if the cable and clips were pulled off, and refixed with some kind of proper workmanship, with equally spaced clips, all the correct way with the cable pulled taught, that would improve things.

As it stands, it does look a bit like a scenic railway.

Edited by Alucidnation (Wed 10-May-23 16:49:06)

Looks like a pretty normal install.
You could put some metal protective trunking around it maybe if you want to protect it but it will look worse.