CityFibre Installation & Kitchen Cabinet

[pharwood]

I have a CityFibre installation scheduled for later this month. I want the ONT box installed inside a kitchen base unit the side of which is flush with the external wall. Can the ONT box be installed on the inside of the kitchen unit, or would it be better to cut a decent sized hole in the side of the cabinet to expose the internal wall?

[Cynric]

@pharwood I'd think of somewhere else

- it may need better ventilation

- what happens if you alter the kitchen in the future

- what happens if a subsequent owner finds the location unhelpful

[pharwood]

Thanks for the advice.

Indoor operating temperature of the ONT is 0° to 40°C so I don't think it's going to overheat in a cool, dark kitchen cabinet that is not exposed to full sun.

I won't be altering the position of the cabinet.

Not concerned about any subsequent owner.

Can anyone answer my original question?

[Ripshod · Accepted solution]

Yes, the ONT can be fitted anywhere you want. But it's up to the individual engineer and the suitability of the location (local power, external access, etc). Some engineers will just not listen to your request. If you then say "no" the engineer will refuse and you will be charged for the wasted visit. 

[pharwood]

Thanks. That's what I was thinking. Probably best to expose the internal wall and see if the engineer will fix it there.

[pharwood]

I ended up cutting a small panel out of the kitchen cabinet to expose the internal wall. Engineer had no complaints when I showed him where I wanted the ONT. He even offered to mount the ONT inside the cabinet once he had drilled the hole for the cable, but I decided to have it mounted on the exposed wall.

I did ask him if he could have drilled through the cabinet and wall if I had not exposed the wall and he said probably, his only worry being that he might damage the cabinet when drilling the hole (which would have been very unlikely).

[Ripshod]

I'm happy to see you found yourself a diamond geezer rather that a "fresh off an 8 week course" comms engineer. I use the engineer term loosely here as I believe engineer should also be an experience-based qualification, not just a short course. 

[Cynric]

@pharwood  I was wondering if the ONT would heat the closed cupboard above 40°C.

[pharwood]

Does the ONT generate a lot of heat?

[CrimsonLiar]

The OpenReach ONT create much heat.  It has its vents but the airflow doesn't seem much and the plastic case is just warm to the touch.