Current Sky Installation Cabling Requirements

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Handle9

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#105182 28-Jun-2012 20:22

So we've decided to get back on the sky bandwagon. Our current house hasn't ever had Sky so it's a new install.

I'm planning on cabling the install myself because I want no part of Sky's fugly installation running up the outside of the house. I know in the past they've used dual RG6 runs but is that still the case? I'll probably run 2 anyway.

I was planning on running it from a blank flush box, down under the house and up into the ceiling space. I figure at that point the tech will be happy to work with me seeing I'll have saved him a stack of cash/time.

Thoughts/feedback would be appreciated.

bda

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#647835 28-Jun-2012 21:08

I wired a single run of RG6 to my own lnb and dish. I have other dishes and receivers also. The installer was happy with that but confirmed it with Sky and wrote on the receipt " customer supplied lnb, dish & cable". He also advised me I would be charged for callouts if the fault was with my equipment (dish or cable), but thats only fair.

Niel

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#647858 28-Jun-2012 21:37

When our house was built last year the Sparky did the cables from the TVs to a central point in the ceiling. It is a high pitch roof where I can actually stand upright (I'm 1.85m) so I don't mind it being there. The Sky installer fitted the dish with quad LNB and run a single cable to connect to the one that the electrician marked for him. I think there was mention on the invoice that some cabling was done by the electrician, can't remember, but there was certainly no mention to me that I would be billed for call-outs if a fault is on my side of the joint. I can't see how that could be billable if the cable is Sky approved/specified, or if it is then it needs to be in the T&C or a signed waver.

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Niel

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#647863 28-Jun-2012 21:40

Oh, just realised BDA supplied the dish and LNB which is obviously not Sky approved, that is different so Sky would not warranty it or the workmanship and then it could be chargeable. Cabling on the other hand is a different story if it complies with Sky requirements and that is why there are cable standards.

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mthand

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#647961 29-Jun-2012 07:55

Sky will provide a quad port LNB. they will just run one cable by default. Usually they are pretty cool on running another one though if you ask nicely :o)

They use compression fittings, not the twist on ones or hex crimp.

The other thing is they must have a phone port. This I find is when the latent cowboy in sky technicians comes out and they cobble together whatever solution will work and will ruin the aesthetics in any installation. I recommend installing this yourself if you don't have one nearby.

Handle9

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#647966 29-Jun-2012 08:02

mthand: Sky will provide a quad port LNB. they will just run one cable by default. Usually they are pretty cool on running another one though if you ask nicely :o)

They use compression fittings, not the twist on ones or hex crimp.

The other thing is they must have a phone port. This I find is when the latent cowboy in sky technicians comes out and they cobble together whatever solution will work and will ruin the aesthetics in any installation. I recommend installing this yourself if you don't have one nearby.

I'll do the cable runs myself otherwise it'll be a pretty ugly install.

They won't be putting in a phone socket - we don't have POTS, we're a VOIP household so that's a waste of time.

dukester

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#648019 29-Jun-2012 09:13

I think you will find Sky would run a dual RG6 cable if you get myskhdi. When I upgraded from the original myski to myskihdi the installer run a new dual rg6 cable as I briefly had multiroom. The original cable ended up going to the multi room box.

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Jaxson

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#648027 29-Jun-2012 09:30

For the similar effort, it's probably best to run two.

illicit

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#648183 29-Jun-2012 13:20

dukester: I think you will find Sky would run a dual RG6 cable if you get myskhdi. When I upgraded from the original myski to myskihdi the installer run a new dual rg6 cable as I briefly had multiroom. The original cable ended up going to the multi room box.

I think you'll find they wont run dual cable these days, they have scrapped the second satellite idea (for now) - the installer in your case was probably just using up the last of his dual cable.

cyril7

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#648189 29-Jun-2012 13:33

The dual run requirement was withdrawn at least 18months ago, however if you cable route is a bit tricky and your doing it yourself then I would run two for future proofing. Typically run two, one for Sky, other for UHF/FreeView, if sky need a 2nd feed in future then they can diplex into the UHF run, job done.

Cyril

Handle9

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#648389 29-Jun-2012 19:09

Thanks everyone. Twin RG6s sitting in my ceiling cavity now. Sky are pretty impressive with the turnaround. Install is set for monday.

Handle9

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#649609 2-Jul-2012 15:29

And we're all installed and working well- the sky tech was great and seemed stoked to have the cabling run for him.