Installing NBN Socket in an Apartment in Miranda

Overview

We were called out to an apartment in Miranda where the customer had no NBN sockets to connect to the internet. During the initial inspection, it appeared there might have been an existing socket hidden on the kitchen wall, but it had been covered up during renovations. The customer was given two options: either break into the wall to locate the old socket or run a new cable to install a new NBN socket. The customer chose to install a new cable to avoid the mess and potential complications of breaking into the wall.

The Challenge

The apartment was on the ground floor, with the Main Distribution Frame (MDF) for the building located on the floor above. The main challenge was to run a new cable from the MDF to the customer’s unit in a way that was both functional and visually discreet. Initially, the plan was to use surface-mounted ducting along the walls, but this would have been time-consuming, and the visible ducting would have detracted from the appearance of the apartment.

Solution Implementation

Step 1: Rethinking the Cable Route

After reviewing the initial plan, we decided on a more effective approach: running the cable underneath the carpet rather than along the walls. This would minimise the visual impact, save time, and ensure a cleaner finish.

Step 2: Running the Cable Under the Carpet

The cable was routed under the carpet along the edge, between the underlay and the smooth edge (the wooden strip used to secure the carpet). This allowed the cable to sit neatly out of sight and protected it from potential damage from foot traffic. The cable was carefully snaked through a small channel in the underlay, keeping it securely in place as it was fed towards the required location.

Step 3: Navigating the Door Frames

A tricky aspect of the NBN installation was getting the cable through the door frame and into the apartment without leaving exposed sections. To resolve this, the cable was routed up and over the door frame, maintaining a discreet appearance and ensuring that the cable remained protected.

Step 4: Connecting to the NBN

Once the cable was routed into the apartment, it was connected to a new NBN socket installed at the customer’s desired location. On the next floor up, we tied the cable into the MDF, secured it in place, and tested the connection to ensure everything was functioning correctly.

Outcome

The project was completed successfully without needing to break into walls or compromise the apartment’s aesthetics. The cable was hidden entirely under the carpet, making the installation both neat and functional. The customer now has a fully operational NBN socket, providing the internet connectivity they needed without the mess and hassle of major construction.

Key Takeaways

1. Adaptive Planning: Switching from surface-mounted ducting to running the cable under the carpet allowed us to deliver a cleaner, more efficient solution tailored to the customer’s needs.
2. Minimal Disruption: By concealing the cable under the carpet and over door frames, we maintained the apartment’s visual appeal and avoided the need for intrusive modifications.
3. Practical Problem-Solving: Overcoming structural challenges, like routing the cable around door frames without visible ducting, was critical to maintaining both functionality and aesthetics.

This project highlights our commitment to providing tailored solutions that blend functionality with minimal disruption, ensuring customers receive the service they need without compromising the look and feel of their living space.

More Of Our Case Studies