jcm4242
join:2012-12-12
Nokesville, VA | New demarc box for cable I'm moving into a new (to me) house and just had a structured wiring system put in. The installers ran a multipart cable (2xRG-6U plus 2xCAT5e) from the inside wiring enclosure outside to the area where the cable and telephone companies have existing demarc points. They did not terminate or connect the cable to anything as I don't yet have either service.
I'd like to install my own demarc box to terminate this cable so I have some flexibility to connect an OTA antenna to one of the RG-6U links. My limited research seems to indicate the Keptel CG-1500 (»www.arrisistore.com/product.php?pid=706098) is a popular choice for demarc boxes. Does anyone have experience with these boxes or recommendations for suitable substitutes?
I understand I would also need to terminate and ground the RG-6U cables inside the enclosure. Assuming that the cable company keeps their demarc and simply connects their demarc to mine, would there be any issues with grounding? Both demarcs would be connected to the same grounding point at the entrance to the house.
Other comments on the general wisdom of this idea welcome. I just don't want to end up unable to use cable I paid for because the cable company locks their demarc. |
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 DarkLogixTexan and ProudPremium
join:2008-10-23
Baytown, TX
kudos:3 | I'm not sure how the cable co where you're at does their demarc but here its just a grounding block without any box so I'd think on the cable front you're fine so long as you have your box opened when they install. (its of course ideal to use the lowest number of connections possible to obtain the best signal)
Though personally I'd want the 2nd coax run into the attic so I could mount an OTA ant in the attic instead of running a coax along the outside of the house to get to where ever you might mount it.
Is there currently a grounding block at the end of the cables? if not I'd get one from »www.mjsales.net/items.asp?Family···at2ID=97 and put that in your box, then make sure the cable ends are all compression fittings (not hex-crip or some cheapo type)
Also (though this part is clear overkill) I'd get a metal box to help minimize RF interference at the weak point (the connectors) then run a copper rod through the box and use it to pass the ground through as well as grounding the box itsself.
(side note I do like overkill and even have RG-11 from my grounding block to the cable modem)
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»www.change.org/petitions/create-···imcity-4 |
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sk1939Premium
join:2010-10-23
Washington, DC
kudos:9 Reviews:
 ·T-Mobile US
 ·Verizon FiOS
| said by DarkLogix: have RG-11 from my grounding block to the cable modem
Your cable installer must have loved you... |
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lutful... of ideasPremium
join:2005-06-16
Ottawa, ON Reviews:
 ·TekSavvy DSL
| reply to jcm4242
said by jcm4242:Does anyone have experience with these boxes or recommendations for suitable substitutes? The CG stands for the initials of manufacturer CableGuard. Primex is another popular choice for US/Canada telcos.
We deployed wireless ISP radios inside CG1500 - they are OK.
»Re: Outdoor Enclosures
said by jcm4242:Other comments on the general wisdom of this idea welcome. I just don't want to end up unable to use cable I paid for because the cable company locks their demarc. You can use a plastic box with grounding block(s) just for telco demarc purposes. Mount a separate metal box right beside it and do all your for DSL/POTS/Cable splitting inside that box. 
I strongly suggest adding surge protection on coax and cat5 cables. You can bond the protectors' ground lugs to the metal box and ground the metal box very well.
I mentioned this US distributor because I used to buy from them and they have both enclosures and surge protectors.
»www.l-com.com/nema-enclosures
»www.l-com.com/surge-protector |
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| reply to jcm4242
My cable company supplied that box that says Cable Guard on it. They don't lock the box. I also have a double ground block like the second poster linked to. One feed is from the DirecTV and the other is from the cable (Internet/Phone).
I guess it varies from area to area, but here we just use a zip tie to keep the box closed. |
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DarkLogixTexan and ProudPremium
join:2008-10-23
Baytown, TX
kudos:3 | reply to sk1939
said by sk1939:said by DarkLogix: have RG-11 from my grounding block to the cable modem
Your cable installer must have loved you... I provided the RG-11 and the connectors
and ran the cable
all the tech did was replace the connectors because it seems I'm crap at putting RG-11 connectors on.
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»www.change.org/petitions/create-···imcity-4 |
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| reply to jcm4242
said by jcm4242:My limited research seems to indicate the Keptel CG-1500 (»www.arrisistore.com/product.php?pid=706098) is a popular choice for demarc boxes. Does anyone have experience with these boxes or recommendations for suitable substitutes? Those cabinets are the ones used by Comcast and are quite rugged, they also are designed to be pad-locked by the end user and still allow access by the CATV company via a tamper resistant hex tool.
Internally the posts match the spacing of the commonly used CATV surge protectors making for a quick and easy installation.
Don't know what kind of on-line price you might be quoted, but you may find you can get a considerably lower "cash" price from the CATV sub-contractor when he comes out to work your installation...  |
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