I’ve just recently noticed these, um, objects, hanging from overhead wires in several places around the city lately (this one is on Needham Street, across from TX Maxx). As far as I know, they’re new. Anyone know what they are?
I’ve just recently noticed these, um, objects, hanging from overhead wires in several places around the city lately (this one is on Needham Street, across from TX Maxx). As far as I know, they’re new. Anyone know what they are?
Easy…it’s a Rockwell Retro Encabulator, hung on the mantle with care: See
@Sallee: That had me laughing so hard that folks in the office came running to see if I was OK.
Easy…it’s a Rockwell Retro Encabulator, hung on the mantle with care: See
@Sallee: That had me laughing so hard that folks in the office came running to see if I was OK.
It’s a Verizon FiOS-Encabulator
It’s a Verizon FiOS-Encabulator
;)
;)
((ꉺꈊꉺ)ꀢ༣
((ꉺꈊꉺ)ꀢ༣
@Sallee, that video is fantastic!
The device is an aerial cable splice enclosure. That box is most likely splicing together fiber optic cable, not coaxial. I agree with Adam, it’s probably Verizon FiOS… but that’s not 100% certain, it *might* be owned by Comcast or RCN. I think all three have aerial fiber in Newton.
I’m not a tech, but it looks to me like the enclosure in that picture hasn’t been secured properly. The cylinder is usually supposed to be secured horizontally, snug against the cable, it’s not supposed to dangle down like that. That might be sloppy work, or it’s also possible that a tie failed… or it’s even possible (but seems unlikely) that it’s some odd equipment that is designed to be secured that way.
Here’s an example of how they’re typically hung:
http://www.broadbandsoho.com/BBS_VZ_FTTH-1.jpg
(Disclaimer: I like my outside plant, but have never worked for any of the above companies)
@Sallee, that video is fantastic!
The device is an aerial cable splice enclosure. That box is most likely splicing together fiber optic cable, not coaxial. I agree with Adam, it’s probably Verizon FiOS… but that’s not 100% certain, it *might* be owned by Comcast or RCN. I think all three have aerial fiber in Newton.
I’m not a tech, but it looks to me like the enclosure in that picture hasn’t been secured properly. The cylinder is usually supposed to be secured horizontally, snug against the cable, it’s not supposed to dangle down like that. That might be sloppy work, or it’s also possible that a tie failed… or it’s even possible (but seems unlikely) that it’s some odd equipment that is designed to be secured that way.
Here’s an example of how they’re typically hung:
http://www.broadbandsoho.com/BBS_VZ_FTTH-1.jpg
(Disclaimer: I like my outside plant, but have never worked for any of the above companies)
It’a a camera OR
It’s a wire so that when Marty McFly comes and visits he can get back to 1984.
It’a a camera OR
It’s a wire so that when Marty McFly comes and visits he can get back to 1984.
@dulles, I think RCN and Comcast both do coax runs to the house, whereas FiOS is the only one that has to splice fiber to go to the house. You can always tell the vz line. It’s much heavier than the others.
@dulles, I think RCN and Comcast both do coax runs to the house, whereas FiOS is the only one that has to splice fiber to go to the house. You can always tell the vz line. It’s much heavier than the others.
Hi Adam,
It’s not impossible that it’s a fiber backbone run from a cable company. RCN and Comcast also have citywide fiber, but unlike FiOS they use coaxial cable for distribution in neighborhoods.
But yeah, I’d place my bets on FiOS, too.
Hi Adam,
It’s not impossible that it’s a fiber backbone run from a cable company. RCN and Comcast also have citywide fiber, but unlike FiOS they use coaxial cable for distribution in neighborhoods.
But yeah, I’d place my bets on FiOS, too.
Adam and dulles: Thanks for that but even if that’s what it is, why did they very recently just start appearing?
Adam and dulles: Thanks for that but even if that’s what it is, why did they very recently just start appearing?
@Greg – the question should be “why did you just start noticing them?” I’ve seen them around Newton for years. Most are, as dulles says, in a horizontal orientation. But the vertical ones have probably just slipped their moorings. Maybe the one you noticed just recently disengaged.
@Phred: You are exactly right, it’s the vertical ones that I’ve started noticing.
@Greg – the question should be “why did you just start noticing them?” I’ve seen them around Newton for years. Most are, as dulles says, in a horizontal orientation. But the vertical ones have probably just slipped their moorings. Maybe the one you noticed just recently disengaged.
@Phred: You are exactly right, it’s the vertical ones that I’ve started noticing.
Possible solutions, Greg: Wear polarized lense or turn your head sideways! :)
Possible solutions, Greg: Wear polarized lense or turn your head sideways! :)
Loved the video, Sallee! Hilarious!
Loved the video, Sallee! Hilarious!
I’m going to guess it’s a fiber optic splice box put up by Verizon. I don’t think it is supposed to be hanging like that. It might be that the fasteners have been failing? Maybe during that heavy snow storm this past winter they broke under the weight of the snow? Someone should call the city or Verizon and see if they need to reattach them to the cable.
Found this blog post when I was poking around the intertubes:
http://www.bricklin.com/fiosinstall.htm
I’m going to guess it’s a fiber optic splice box put up by Verizon. I don’t think it is supposed to be hanging like that. It might be that the fasteners have been failing? Maybe during that heavy snow storm this past winter they broke under the weight of the snow? Someone should call the city or Verizon and see if they need to reattach them to the cable.
Found this blog post when I was poking around the intertubes:
http://www.bricklin.com/fiosinstall.htm