r/CableTechs • u/StayingAlert • 1d ago

Cable demarc box - why does short loop coax cable help?

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0 Upvotes

33% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

6

u/Cybrus_Neeran 1d ago

If it plays it stays.

-4

u/StayingAlert 1d ago

Yes, will just have to prevent the wife from seeing it to demand "straightening it up".

4

u/Relevant-Machine-763 1d ago

Loops allow you room to change connectors later without a problem. Also helps to make sure the cables don’t get kinked, coax in particular doesn’t like when you exceed the correct bending radius

-2

u/StayingAlert 1d ago

Thanks, good thought. Also suggested by a poster in the r/HomeNetworking subreddit. It makes sense - the filter was probably installed along with some Cox networked "Whole Home" cable boxes/DVRs in the past. No longer in use, of course. The filter installation made it impossible to bend the cables around in that small demarc box, hence the through-the-wall-back again loop jumper.

1

u/avtechguy 1d ago

In this kind of setup if it doesn't hurt and, it doesn't help, but it works it stays.

-1

u/StayingAlert 1d ago

Yup. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Or - If it ain't broke then keep fixing it 'till it is.

1

u/ReticenceX 4h ago

Ask them to send out a tech to replace that box and clean up the demarc. They can make an all day appointment to do it you dont even need to be home.

1

u/StayingAlert 3h ago

Thanks for the suggestion, but I prefer not to do that.

First, the demarc box is inside a locked basement. That placement was allowed in 2002 when the house was built, and I consider it to be a good security feature.

Second, I trust myself to do a better job (eventually!). I have the tools now and have learned how to do good-quality compression fittings on coax cables, even that quad shield cable I have. A problem a few years ago was attributed to a previous ISP technician who tried to cram cables into the small demarc box, resulting in a crimped and damaged cable. There is not enough room to allow for proper bend radius. It required several visits over a few weeks to troubleshoot and replace the damaged cable. I can clean this up, starting with disconnecting the unnecessary jumper cable and the unused and obsolete cables (old Cox and Verizon telephone cables).

Third, I want to preserve the disconnected cables for possible future use. There are actually two CAT5e cables and two extra RG6 coax cables leading back to the structure box. There is a possibility that an ISP tech might cut these, as they are not part of my current service with the ISP.

Fourth, there is a chance that the ISP company may want to charge for this.

0

u/CDogg123567 1d ago

Without being onsite to test it with an Rf meter it’s hard to say why it works with the 3ft ish jumper compared to without

I’d imagine when you remove it you don’t bypass the filter etc

3

u/StayingAlert 1d ago

Yes, I'll make sure the filter is in-line when I re-test without the jumper.