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Modernizing old house network wiring - Part 9 - New Ideas on my Backboard and Attic


A few new ideas and discoveries

In the Attic

I was in the attic today just to further understand the current state of things.

First, I found and removed a cable TV splitter that was up in the attic, so now my attic cable TV cabling issues are likely solved.  I still need to prove that the cables are OK with my tester, but my guess is that everything is good.

It seems like I can easily run cables up from the basement via the plumbing chase.  In either case, I need to clean out the attic area and dress up the current cables emanating from the plumbing chase. I'm imagining sticking a 1 inch flex conduit down here, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea.  I need to better inspect the chase, and it's in a challenging spot both int he basement and in the attic.

I plan to install a 6-position keystone plate on a low voltage frame in the attic.  This will operate as a "mini patch panel" in the attic.   I'll stick with the current "one ethernet, one coax".  I might add new ethernet or coax in the future, but I won't install anything until I understand my needs.

I also identified what looks like dead POTS lines in the attic.  I think they are  associated with two abandoned POTS cables in the basement.  I think those lines run up along the chimney.  I'll find out next time I'm up there.  If it is abandoned pots, I'll remove it.

Finally, there looks to be some "new" (20 year old) POTS cabling up in the attic.  I hope to understand it.  It might have been related to a security system, or maybe it was an abandoned effort.

Backboard Relocation

I am pretty sure I'm going to move my backboard.  The original location was heavily modified over the decades, and now there is a ton of plumbing impeding access.   To compound the challenge, power is hard to access at the existing backboard area.  The old area was powered with long cords. 

Since I emptied out the baseboard, it's very easy to relocate.  I think I'll move it about 10 feet away.  I'll have to extend some cables and install a wire tray, but it is a much better choice in terms of access, and at the same time it seems to be out of the way in the case of future building changes.


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