Power source for new ONT

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Power source for new ONT

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#213943 20-Apr-2017 11:30

I've got a UFB order in the pipeline (waiting on consents) and I'm keen to get the ONT location prepared before the install happens.

Currently, I have VDSL with a Spark-supplied Technicolor modem, bridged ASUS router, and a wee D-Link security camera all placed on top of a 2-metre-tall bookcase, for a good, central wi-fi signal for my 2-storey house (works fantastically). The VDSL cable comes up through the floor behind the bookcase. The powerpoint they all plug into is at floor level right beside the bookcase. This powerpoint is on the critical load circuit for my SunGenie solar system (is powered by battery backup if the grid goes down) so is essentially a UPS. At the moment it's just one powerpoint, with a single-plug surge protector in it, then a powerboard with a long cord plugged into that, which sits on top of the bookcase with the modem, router, and security camera plugged into it. It's aesthetically good because all the cords are hidden behind the bookcase (which is far enough from the wall that nothing is squashed) and the powerboard is obscured from view by the modem and router sitting in front of it.

When the ONT is installed, it'll be on the wall beside the powerpoint, so close to floor level. It'll need one plughole. Then I'll need a second to plug in my powerboard which will now only be needed for the router and security camera on top of the bookcase (since no modem is required with an ONT). I've been debating two options. The first is to get the powerpoint replaced with a 2-socket surge protected outlet. I've had a quote for this - $212, which is a bit outside my budget right now. The second is to get a 2-outlet surge protector to plug into the powerpoint, and then plug the ONT and the powerboard into that. Is that safe? The surge guard has a maximum load of 2400W, so I don't think those three devices would exceed that. Is there a third option that I've not considered?

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

1 | 2

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

#1767818 20-Apr-2017 11:37

A surge protected power board will be just fine. I wouldn't suggest plugging a power board into a double adapter etc, but as long as they are of good quality it should be OK.

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1767823 20-Apr-2017 11:41

ubergeeknz:

A surge protected power board will be just fine. I wouldn't suggest plugging a power board into a double adapter etc, but as long as they are of good quality it should be OK.

Thanks! I was looking at a Belkin product. Are they good enough? My issue is that I can't use a single power board because the ONT is low down and the other devices high up, hence the need to use a double-plug surge guard directly into the powerpoint, then run a powerboard up to the top of the bookcase for the other two devices.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

RunningMan

8955 posts

Uber Geek

#1767824 20-Apr-2017 11:43

Just have a double outlet fitted and don't worry about the ont being through the surge thing.

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1767827 20-Apr-2017 11:50

RunningMan: Just have a double outlet fitted and don't worry about the ont being through the surge thing.

Does it not require one? That would be helpful. I should ask Vector if there's any surge protection built into the SunGenie.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

richms

28172 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1767831 20-Apr-2017 12:00

Are you sure they will install the ONT to that central location? Usually they only want to go for outside walls.

Richard rich.ms

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1767857 20-Apr-2017 12:29

richms:

Are you sure they will install the ONT to that central location? Usually they only want to go for outside walls.

Do you mean they put it on the outside of the house, or the inside of an exterior wall? I was going to ask them to put it there because that's the only critical-load powerpoint that's not in the kitchen, and there is super-easy access to it through the ceiling of my carport. The front part of my house is on poles and you park underneath the living room, so they just need to poke a hole in the underfloor insulation and go straight up through the particle board. Is access the reason why they prefer exterior walls?

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

RunningMan

8955 posts

Uber Geek

#1767874 20-Apr-2017 13:01

They should put it wherever you request within reason

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

richms

28172 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1767876 20-Apr-2017 13:06

Ah thats ok then, most houses are on a slab so its hard to get to internal walls.

Richard rich.ms

timmmay

20579 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1767887 20-Apr-2017 13:23

The ran my fiber where I asked. Overhead entry, down a duct down the side of the house, under the house, up a duct I supplied, across the roof cavity, down into a cupboard. This weird route was because I planned to move the location of the ONT later and it would be easier that way.

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1767893 20-Apr-2017 13:30

Yeah, I'm lucky in that you can reach most of the walls of my living room by standing on a stepladder in the carport :) I'm pretty sure they won't mind putting it there. It's kind of vital because the SunGenie needs to be plugged into the router, and the Ethernet cable for that is also coming up through the floor in that spot. So now I just need to decide what to do with that powerpoint. I'd obviously prefer the cheapest solution but I don't want to compromise on safety.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

richms

28172 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1767896 20-Apr-2017 13:37

Why do you need a surge protected outlet or surge protector anyway? You live rural and have problems? I would have thought the sungenie would have something in it thats at least as useful as the 10c varistors's in a typical powerstrip surge protector.

Richard rich.ms

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1767899 20-Apr-2017 13:53

richms:

Why do you need a surge protected outlet or surge protector anyway? You live rural and have problems? I would have thought the sungenie would have something in it thats at least as useful as the 10c varistors's in a typical powerstrip surge protector.

I just always thought it was best practice to have a surge guard on expensive or essential appliances. I live on Auckland's North Shore, so very not-rural. I've emailed Vector to find out if the SunGenie provides a modicum of surge protection. If that's the case, I shall modify my query - would a product like this be acceptable to plug the ONT into one socket and a powerboard (to go on top of the bookcase) into the other?

Edited to add: Vector just emailed me back - the critical load circuits are already surge protected. Yay!

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

richms

28172 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1767910 20-Apr-2017 14:14

Not when most products will already have the same 10-15c component that junk consumer surge protectors have inside them already, and downstream of a fuse so when they go crazy hot at end of life, the fuse will blow, whereas a powerstrip has to pass the full 10A people might plug into them so typically are unfused.

Cheap powerstrips with surge protection are a firehazard. You are counting on them using adiquitely flame retardent treated plastic to not let the whole thing catch fire at end of life of the surge protectors.

Or else they put a tiny fuse ahead of the LED and active components so that the first time the MOV's have to conduct, the fuse blows, the light goes out and you go and buy another one.

Richard rich.ms

timmmay

20579 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1767912 20-Apr-2017 14:18

If you have to put it somewhere else the Sentry Lite DC UPS for ONT is suitable. Mine powers my ONT and router/modem.

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1767913 20-Apr-2017 14:18

I'm glad the ones I do have were not cheap, in that case! At least I don't have to worry about it for this particular powerpoint now. Just have to work out the most cost-effective way of splitting the power between the ONT and the devices sitting five feet above it :)

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

1 | 2