How to cut a hole on the NBN box?

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/42227#Comment_42227

Thanks, @EricL, it makes a lot of sense. I will reconsider the decision to cut a hole in the box. Thanks for your help.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/83247#Comment_83247

https://www.nbnco.com.au/content/dam/nbnco2/documents/authority-to-alter-facilities-on-resdential-and-small-businesses-premises.pdf

Hate to have to tell you this but it is illegal for you to modify the box (I'm a registered cabler)

I'll try to link the document but here is a small extract....

2.2.1.2 Criminal Code 1995 (Commonwealth) A person is guilty of an offence under Section 474.6 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth) if:

• the person tampers or interferes with a facility owned or operated by a carrier or a carriage service provider

Even as a registered cabler I am constrained by this....

nbn may bring a claim against a Registered Cablers who interferes with or damages nbn facilities or services resulting in nbn suffering a loss.

Full document here.....

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/106498#Comment_106498

Thank you so much, @R4addZ . I don't know that it is illegal. 😱

I am trying to build a smart home system on my own. It would be great to set up a small equipment rank in my garage, next to the NBN box. What's your suggestion if I want to run some cable out from the box to connect those smart home devices? As you can see from the photos below, it's a mess now 😅

Much appreciated.

IMG_1737 Large.jpeg

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/120439#Comment_120439

Ok so that box is a slightly different matter, Can you give us a shot of the inside of it? The box pictured may not be the property of NBN (in fact it is unlikely it is being built in as it is). Is the wall Plasterboard or brick?

I should qualify anything said from here on. As there is no obvious way of getting cables simply out of the box, this likely would require you to need the services of a Registered Cabler to stay within the letter of the law. That said, I'm happy to discuss how it could be done but need to know what's inside and the wall type to go into anymore depth.

A little background, That enclosure is along the style of a Hills Home Hub and they were a nightmare to deal with due to the depth, flush fit and no easy way to get cables out or mount equipment inside hence the need to see just what is inside.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/120439#Comment_120439

Good morning @rickychan

Firstly what else is in the box? I actually havnt seen one like that for NBN installs before.

If you look in the bottom of the box you may find some punch out holes with metal blanks over them.

Depending on the plugs that are on your IOT devices you could run them down through the punch out and then exit through the wall using this

DETA White Brush Wall Cover Plate - Single Pack

I have used it for running cables up the wall for my tv and sound system. and it is a tiidy solution.

However to get around any issues with modifications to the box or wall installs I would go down the rout of a seperate router and connect it wirelessly somewhere out of sight and near a power point.

Dave

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129033#Comment_129033

Thank you for the photo @rickychan !

I had no idea what an NBN box was.

I though it was a desk router thingy. 😔

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129032#Comment_129032

Hi @R4addZ @Dave-1 ,

I am sorry I did not use the right terms to describe this "box" thing. Yes. This is the enclosure or the NBN connection in my home. I placed some network equipment inside it already. However, I still want to connect some smart home servers on the shelf under it, I need to run some cables (network cable and power cord) from the enclosure to the shelf.

Just wondering if there is any legal way to do that. Is this enclosure the property of NBNco? Thanks in advance. 🙏

IMG_1746 Medium.jpeg

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134469#Comment_134469

Afternoon @rickychan

Thanks for the photo, does the label on the back of the door say anything as to ownership?

The Grey box in the middle of the bigger box is NBN as far as I know, tho the steup is a tidy one with patch ports ect. I would be reluctant to change things within the box to be on the safe side and not cause more issues.

So back to the other option of punchouts on the bottom of the box into the wall cavity and then using that brush wall slot to bring out the network cable ect further down near the floor.

If there are no punchouts in the bottom of the box then Option C, Remove the door, using a largish hole saw drill out part of the mesh (50mm -70mm) and then line with a rubber edge, something like Goliath 5m Black Edge Trim . Replace the door. This way you can run your cables out through the hole tidily and not worry so much about permissions. I would use some spiral wrap D-Line 2.5m Ø10-40mm White Wrap Cable Tidy Organiser to bring it together and make a nice form to your equiment.

Dave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134469#Comment_134469

You don't say if it is a plasterboard wall. The design of these cabinets is terrible as they give no easy way to locally add additional equipment. The one good thing is that it is not the property of NBN and as for not using the right terms you weren't to know. I would not recommend drilling through the door, I would drill down through the bottom of the box and then put a hole from the front below into the wall to intersect the downward hole and bring some cables through that way. Technically you aren't supposed to do this but its up to you.The regs don't want people installing cables through a void for safety reasons (you don't know what is in the void) so be very careful if you do DIY.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137969#Comment_137969

Thank you so much for the recommendation, @Dave-1. I will find a hole saw to drill out part of the mesh. Also, thanks for suggesting the edge trim and cable organization. They are handy. Appreciate for all the details. 🙏

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137969#Comment_137969

Hi @Dave-1,

Sorry, I have to follow up on this.

I have this Ryobi kit. Do you think the drill is strong enough to cut through the enclosure?

Also, do you have any recommended hole saw that I can use for this task?

Thank. 🙏

Cheers,

Rickychan.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140376#Comment_140376

Afternoon @rickychan

Yeah that drill will have no issues. Make sure you DO NOT use the impact driver one 🙂

For the holesaws either of these will be fine.

Craftright 16 Piece Holesaw Set

Craftright 5 Piece Hole Saw Set

You are not drilling for gold, its only a thin metal box.

To cut the hole I would use one of the bottom of the door to the right hand side holes in the corner. That way when you open/close the door the cables wont be hanging across you. Make sure if you drill with the door close there isnt anything on the other side when the hole saw punches through.

Cant think of much else 🙂 Dont force it, let the drill do its work and think what goes through the hole (power cable with a plug, multiple power cables that may get a bit tight after three cables are in it for the next plug to go through. ) Better to go a little bigger then what you think you need as there is always something else and its a pain to try and drill an existing hole larger.

Dave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142091#Comment_142091

Thank you so much, @Dave-1 . Really appericate for all the details. It is so helpful, especially for a new starter like me. I will buy one of the suggested holesaw set.

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143322#Comment_143322

All of the above.

Plus, maybe a cutting lubricant @rickychan.

In particular the CDT aerosol spray for a vertical surface.

It does make an amazing difference with cutting efficiency.

All the best with the hole. 😁

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144235#Comment_144235

@Noyade and @rickychan

hahahha can you tell that my toolbox generally dosnt have cutting compound 🙂

Definently makes it easier as @Noyade says tho not neccasary 🙂 "wiggles hand"

Dave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144909#Comment_144909

Wow. Thank you so much, @Noyade and @Dave-1 . You guys are amazing!!

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/145441#Comment_145441

Well as the only professional registered cabler here, I have to say, I wouldn't be seen dead cutting a hole in the door of an enclosure! There are reasons this isn't done but if you do at the very least you need to get a grommet of the right size to go in the hole to prevent the cables chafing on the resulting sharp edges.