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mileena2
join:2005-04-08
Collegeville, PA

mileena2

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BBU: Can VZ hard-wire it to the service panel?

I am having FIOS installed soon (converted single large Victorian type home with three apartments inside). The problem is there is no electrical outlet in the basement near where the telephone lines enter the house (or at least one I am allowed to use (on my own electrical account)).

So can the Verizon tech simply hardwire the battery back-up (BBU) to the electrical service panel?

Or should I string an extension cord from my first floor apartment to the basement (about 50-60 feet)?

Or is the cord that comes with the BBU long enough so that we can just route it along the radiator pipe up to my first floor apartment, just like the cable guy did?

I don't want to string an extension cord from my apartment to the basement, due to security reasons (anyone could then tap into my outlet).

Thanks!
mileena2

mileena2

Member

Also, the plug on the cord for the BBU won't likely fit through the hole where the radiator pipe enters my first floor apartment. Can the tech just cut the plug off and reattach it after we route the wire?
JohnA
Premium Member
join:2003-09-16
Pittsburgh, PA

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It's the power supply that plugs in. It has a preformed plug on it, so that is what you'll want to stay in your apt. The other end of the PS gets a custom wire, created on site, going back to the ONT. That can take the cable path as long as the jacket on the wire won't melt up against the pipe. The BBU can stay in the basement, as it's power comes back from the ONT on a separate wire. Your CAT5e to the router/computer should also be able to follow the cable path, again, if it won't melt the jacket on the wire.
mileena2
join:2005-04-08
Collegeville, PA

mileena2

Member

Thanks John for explaining this! This is good news for me.

John1989
join:2005-04-15
Glen Mills, PA

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There is a limit to how long the wire can be between the power supply and BBU though. I believe it is 50ft, but don't hold me on that one.

telcotech
IBEW 2222 Boston, MA
Premium Member
join:2004-09-02
united state

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If you look at the »Verizon FiOS FAQ hosted here on BBR. You'll find the answer to this and many other questions & situations. It's not a long technical read, but has been updated by folks who have lived it & technicians that install it.

Good luck!

sinistertim101x2
@169.139.x.x

sinistertim101x2

Anon

In other words, stop asking so many questions

telcotech
IBEW 2222 Boston, MA
Premium Member
join:2004-09-02
united state

telcotech

Premium Member

said by sinistertim101x2 :

In other words, stop asking so many questions
No, not at all. I merely wanted to let the person know there's a FAQ about this, and other questions he/she may have. I'm not trying to stifle anyone - just trying to help by getting people and the information they want together.

John1989
join:2005-04-15
Glen Mills, PA

John1989

Member

There was another post like this explaining how a distance there can be. I'll try to find it.
John1989

John1989

Member

Here is one. There are others floating around too.

»ONT install in different location than NID?
mileena2
join:2005-04-08
Collegeville, PA

mileena2

Member

said by John1989:

Here is one. There are others floating around too.

»ONT install in different location than NID?
Thanks John! Good read.

From that thread:

As long as the ONT can be properly bonded to a suitable ground within 10 feet of the ONT, the ONT can be anywhere that has good access on the outside of the home or garage. It's not hard to find a nearby phone jack to back feed the dial tone into in most cases if the ONT locates far from the NID.

So, would anybody know if this would mean that the ONT cannot be installed outside on the second floor wall?

And can they run fiber line from the ONT outside the house to the "NID", which is about 25 feet away? I put "NID" in quotes since I don't have an NID. The reason I ask is because there is no telephone jack on tha wall or in my office (I have strung telephone wire from the other side of my house to my office).

Also, can the power supply and BBU be left on the floor, rather than mounted to the inside wall, since the inside wall is a finished wall. (It would be nice if they could mount the ONT right outside my office on the second floor, so they wouldn't have to string 50 feet of wire or so from the basement to my second floor office, where the power supply will be.)

The PSU/BBU don't have to be located in the same place either. Attics are off limits for FiOS equipment, and a power cable length of 50 feet is the suggested maximum. Again, a few instances of techs violating company policy in mounting them in attics has happened.

Out of curiosity, what if the attic has been converted to an apartment, like mine, which forms the third floor of the house?
mileena2

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said by telcotech:

If you look at the »Verizon FiOS FAQ hosted here on BBR. You'll find the answer to this and many other questions & situations. It's not a long technical read, but has been updated by folks who have lived it & technicians that install it.

Good luck!
Thanks Steve!

I did look at that FAQ, namely the "install" and "day of the appointment" sections.

A: After you have set up an appointment date that suits your schedule, you should do the following the things:

1. Provide easy access to your computer.

* Provide an unused 120 volt receptical inside the home as close to ONT/NID as possible for the Battery Backup Unit." (Not having a receptical may result in rescheduling the install until one has been provided.)


The reason I posted was because I do not have an electrical outlet in the basmeent wall opposite where the ONT would most likely be installed. The FAQ does not mention how far it can be away from an outlet. I know now the distance is 50 feet. I do not want to have to be rescheduled.

2. Have an idea of where you want the ONT (Optical Network Terminal).

* The ONT will probably replace or be installed adjacent to the existing NID (Network Interface Device); requesting a different location may result in delays.


The FAQ does not go into details on how far the NID can be from the ONT, so that is why I posted. Plus, I don't have an NID.
zerog
join:2002-02-10
Carrollton, TX

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Q: can the verizon installer wire the Battery Back Up into your circuit breaker panel (aka electrical distribution panel)?

I highly doubt it.

Verizon installers are not licensed electricians. I think just about every state in the union requires commercial/residential work to be done by licensed electricians (or helpers). Even if you do the electrical work yourself it has to be to electrical codes (i dont recommend unless you absolutely know what you are doing)

[and somebody please correct me if Im giving wrong or bad advice, as my experise is in aircraft electrical systems]

They will probably tell you something along the lines of "Sorry Sir/Maam, but our installers cannot perform electrical wiring work on your premises. Verizon recommends that you hire a licensed electrician to install any necessary power outlets where you want the ONT installed. Thank you sir/maam and have a nice day!"

couple of other notes:
1. not a good idea to run a power cable more than 20-30 feet for this purpose.
2. the electrical power draw for the ONT/BBU is fairly low. maybe you can "convince" somebody to allow you to plug into it? (i wouldnt tell you to do anything that violates verizon TOS, but just use your imagination with the following words: wireless + neighbor + co-operation)
3. if your ONT/BBU installation point is near (10-20ft) to a circuit breaker panel, then it would probably be fairly inexpensive to get an electrician to add a simple outlet near the panel.

Good Luck
BD11goal
join:2004-03-13
Huntington Station, NY

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i worked as a helper in the past and i know most of the codes, and depending how many outlets you have in your basement you might not be able to run bx to another one and tie it in. and if there are no outlets in your basement, what an electrician would do is put in a new 15 amp breaker and run bx to a new outlet where you wanted it. any way you look at hiring an electrician to do it your looking at 200-250 dollars. you could always do it yourself, its fairly simple. go to home depot pick up a 50ft roll of 1/4" bx, a box of 90's to tie into the panel or other outlet, a 1090 box and an outlet. you don't need redheads cuz its not commercial.

telcotech
IBEW 2222 Boston, MA
Premium Member
join:2004-09-02
united state

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said by mileena2:
said by telcotech:

If you look at the »Verizon FiOS FAQ hosted here on BBR. You'll find the answer to this and many other questions & situations. It's not a long technical read, but has been updated by folks who have lived it & technicians that install it.

Good luck!
Thanks Steve!

I did look at that FAQ, namely the "install" and "day of the appointment" sections.

A: After you have set up an appointment date that suits your schedule, you should do the following the things:

1. Provide easy access to your computer.

* Provide an unused 120 volt receptical inside the home as close to ONT/NID as possible for the Battery Backup Unit." (Not having a receptical may result in rescheduling the install until one has been provided.)


The reason I posted was because I do not have an electrical outlet in the basmeent wall opposite where the ONT would most likely be installed. The FAQ does not mention how far it can be away from an outlet. I know now the distance is 50 feet. I do not want to have to be rescheduled.

2. Have an idea of where you want the ONT (Optical Network Terminal).

* The ONT will probably replace or be installed adjacent to the existing NID (Network Interface Device); requesting a different location may result in delays.


The FAQ does not go into details on how far the NID can be from the ONT, so that is why I posted. Plus, I don't have an NID.
Yes, it seems like yours is not even close to a typical installation. Verizon is determined to make these installs "work". The techs will do all that they can to get it done as scheduled.

The drop is made up prior to being on site - this means the ends are not field connected, and as a result, if you need the ONT significantly further than was originally planned, the drop cable wouldn't reach. That would mean rescheduling would be required. As far as the plug goes, I think in a pinch you could provide a 120 volt extension cord to power the BBU, rather than a long low voltage cable between the BBU & ONT. The ideal situation is to have the 120 volt "right there", but this is not a perfect world.

I saw your post about 15M/2M service - I went with it & am glad I did. Anyway, best of luck to you.

Telcoguru
Premium Member
join:2005-08-22
Fresh Meadows, NY

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No, Verizon can not hard wire the battery back-up unit. It can be installed 50ft away from the ONT unit. If no outlet is within 50ft you must have an electrician install one.
johnsp
join:2001-02-07
Syosset, NY

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I'm surprised you're OK'd for service. Don't you have multiple apt's and phone service there already. I thought VZ would not give you the green light if the home is an apt. Yea, your own dedicated outlet is gonna be required. Have them put in a single receptacle outlet like the ones for AC units, so no one else can plug into your line.

John1989
join:2005-04-15
Glen Mills, PA

John1989

Member

Have an electrician install a receptical and then have the fios installed. Once they have all left cut off the plug from the wire going to the fios and open up the recptical box, remove the receptical, run the wires into the receptical box, attach them to the red, black, and ground wire,and then buy a blank metal face plate and screw it onto the box.

No receptical so no one steals power, it's easy to do, and it's the same as having it hard wired directly into the circuit box. Also if it is done cleanly with a blank face plate put over it then Verizon techs will probably never hassle you over it.
waiting4fios
join:2005-04-08
Howell, NJ

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Just an FYI, the restrictions on Attics are being removed. So anyone with or in an attic need not worry. I'm not sure exactly when the restrictions will be lifted but I'm sure its within the next few weeks.