how close would it be to the power cables in the new location?

Jase2985:

how close would it be to the power cables in the new location?

kyonz:

Jase2985:

 

how close would it be to the power cables in the new location?

 

This is around a metre below where power attaches to the house, Vodafone cable already exists at this height just wanting fibre run along the same path.

There are rules around working near power lines. I'm pretty sure current rules are that you shouldn't be working within around 3m of power lines whether overhead or a a lead-in to the house, but this will obviously depend as well on the type of cable you have.

There are also level requirements around separation between power and other services - I'm not 100% of these off the top of my head but at pretty sure these are over 1m.

There are a few electricians on here so somebody who knows the rules off the top of their head might be able to confirm or correct these figures.

Interesting. Only valid reason I can think of would be, as sbiddle pointed out, the requirements around keeping away from power cables. I can’t remember the exact specs off the top of my head but 1m vertically does sound about right.

Even if there are existing services that are closer to the power (copper, or in your case Vodafone cable). The current requirements say we must keep any new services a minimum distance away.

@kyonz can you flick us a PM with your address? I’ll follow up with the tech and see if I can’t get an explanation as to why he wants to terminate so far away. ^Richard

Thanks @ChorusNZ, have PMd you my details and a photo - really appreciate your input.

If the distance from power is an issue I'd understand that, the installer was under the impression that he wasn't allowed to deviate from the copper path at all due to policy, calling Visionstream they gave me the exact same messaging.

If what the more direct path doesn't meet spec of course I'm happy to consider other options, not trying to be overly burdensome or anything just would rather the cable not take a long route down the front of the house.

cyril7:

 

As snnet says, if its over head now, its over head, unless you pay for an OHUG conversion, this may set you back a k or two. If its as simple as you say then it may be less, but if its means spade work its going to cost.

 

This ruling is as I understand it part of the funding negotiation between the fibre co (Chorus in this case) and Crown fibre how fund the UFB

 

Cyril

 

 

 

Not always so.

Had fibre installed in Auckland about 30 months ago. Existing copper went overhead to power pole on one street. I wanted fibre to be run underground down our driveway which goes to a different street. This was done by Chrous subcontractors at no cost to me. They grubbed the micro ducting into an edge garden running down driveway but they still had to cut a  slot in concrete in one part. I estimate the distance down the driveway right up to the house to be 2 to 3x greater than the distance the aerial copper followed from the other street.

chevrolux:

 

Yep installer needs their head checked.

 

Probably just can't be bothered putting a new hook on the house and wants to re-use existing hardware.

 

What the installer is doing is following the rules.  The installer is required by the rules to follow the existing copper whereever possible.  Its basically butt covering, if the rules are broken and something subsequently happens then it might turn out to become their problem (expense) down the track.

EDIT: Having to follow the existing copper is what I was told by VisionStream, the installation plan designers (Wilson Hurst), and also Vodafone help staff.  Reading other replies now makes me not entirely sure it is in fact a hard rule.

@duckDecoy its complicated (ain’t everything 😋).

In terms of, aerial vs underground we follow like for like. If your property was provisioned aerially for the copper then we will plan and provision your Fibre aerially. Same for underground.

However the exacting path that this follows is down to the specific factors of the address in question. Just because your existing copper runs through a conduit does not necessarily mean that this is how you want or how we will run the cable. Technicians should be taking into account the requests of the owner (it is your property) and trying their best to accommodate (within reason, this is a free install after all).

In this specific case, although I suspect the tech didn’t want to work close to a power cable. It sounds like perhaps the tech is just misinterpreting the letter of the rules. ^Richard

So figured I'd post an update - not much has changed. Thankfully I'm in no rush (and hyperfibre is a long way away) so going to play this out to its conclusion.

Visionstream have said
"Our complex support team confirmed what the customer wants is not the Chorus standard (customer wants the cable on LHS of house). If the customer insists to run cable directly on LHS of house, it will be a non-standard installation and will be chargeable to the customer."

I'm trying to get VisionStream to tell me how much it'll cost me for them to run the cable the easier prettier way. If they had have started the conversation with $100 and I'll run it the way you want we wouldn't be in this mess but it appears customer service isn't their strong point.

@Chorusnz have been pretty awesome with their communication so huge props for that.

Thanks all who have chimed in on this - will let you know how I get on.

That's what they wanted to do at our place, so we decided to dig our own trench since we didn't want it going overhead because we would probably end up breaking it with a tall load since it would go over the driveway. 

They were very willing to put it through our duct and didn't charge any extra and they got it all done in a day. 

Fantastic result.

Cheers Cyril