Safe to move a fiber optic internet line

[iostream212]

I have no experience with fiber optic lines. I have a structured panel that I have out grown and am in the process of enlarging / relocating. The fiber optic internet line was already run to the media panel by the builder. The splice is protected in the panel inside a black box. Here is a picture when I open the black box.

The whole black box is too big for me to feed back out through the panels knockouts. My question is can I gingerly and safely remove the splice from this box, free the wire from the panel and then out it back. I don't know how fragile these connections are and I don't want to screw up my internet. It appears that there is a metal rod running the length of the spice and the splice itself looks to be inside heat shrink tubing. Thanks!

 

[Neurorad]

Have you considered leaving the fiber optic alone, and just installing a 2nd enclosure? Relocate what you want to, don't touch the rest?

 

[iostream212]

I did consider that. I wanted to patch up the hole where the old panel was in the wall. I could always just bury it in the wall. I would never need access to the splice. Just as long as I could get to the business end that should be ok.

 

[tmbrown97]

I did exactly what you're trying to do a few weeks ago... I needed to pull the fiber out of the existing enclosure then re-thread it through a new one - and as you noticed, the black splice box that's behind the modem doesn't fit through the holes - so I opened it up and took the fiber out - and did my best to gently lay it off to the side...

Man, I thought for sure I was going to have to pay someone to come re-splice it - I snagged it so many times and left too much weight hanging on it - because I was doing quite a bit of work in there, I had everything torn apart and that thing just kept getting in the way, getting caught on everything.

When I was done, I gently put it all back in the splice box just like it was before, wound it around, zip-tied the lines where they enter - and plugged it back in - and to my amazement, it has been perfectly fine

I wouldn't try to abuse it, and don't kink it - but those things can take a lot more abuse than we're lead to believe.

 

[drvnbysound]

I wouldn't try to abuse it, and don't kink it - but those things can take a lot more abuse than we're lead to believe.

:hesaid:

I've really only worked with fiber in server racks, and I always try to be as gentle as I can with it. However, I have seen some IT guys doing some hardcore tugging, pulling, and bending with fiber and it's always remained in working condition.

 

[Frunple]

You don't have to worry about the splice itself, as you said, it's got a metal rod running down the shrink tubing. Just be careful with the rest of the fiber, I can tell you from experience it's more resilient than people think but still remember it's not wire, its fiberglass so it can break. I work for a MetroEthernet carrier and our whole network is fiber, we've had to do what you want to do many times. Doesn't appear to be too much slack in that splice tray but if there is you're gonna wanna put it back in the tray neatly and it could be a pain if theres a lot of slack. Just bring both fibers in from the same point and the splice will be a kind of "crossover" in the tray, almost a figure 8 bent over on itself.

 

[iostream212]

I followed the advise and moved it no problem! Thanks for the confidence booster. It did seem fairly sturdy when I was handling it. So yeah be careful and take your time and it can be done no problem!