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Based on FTTR network solutions, we understand that there are two primary installation methods: concealed wiring via conduits and exposed wiring. The concealed conduit method is suitable for new home renovations or the remodeling of older homes, provided that existing conduits can be utilized to route the cables. But what should be done if no conduits were pre-embedded during a new home renovation, or if it is impossible to route cables through existing conduits in an older home?
The answer is: utilize “invisible plastic fiber optic cable” for exposed wiring, currently it is the most mainstream and mature solution available for installations that do not involve conduits.
Below, we will provide a detailed explanation of this approach, covering both its implementation methods and technical requirements.
Invisible Plastic Fiber Optic Cable Surface Routing
This is currently the standard solution adopted by service providers to address the requirement of “no conduit installation and no drilling.“
What is Invisible Fiber?
Invisible fiber is a micro-optical cable featuring an extremely fine diameter (typically only around 0.9 mm or 1.2 mm) and a transparent outer sheath. When installed on a wall surface, it is virtually invisible to the naked eye and does not compromise the aesthetic integrity of the existing interior decor.
How to Secure:
- Specialized Hot-Melt Adhesive: Technicians utilize a specialized hot-melt glue gun to bond and secure the optical fiber along baseboards, doorframe edges, or ceiling corners.
- Transparent Waterproof Tape / Self-Adhesive Backing: Alternatively, a double-folded transparent waterproof tape can be used to adhere the optical fiber directly to the wall surface.
- Room-to-Room Routing: The “invisible” optical fiber is extremely flexible, allowing it to be routed directly through door gaps without interfering with the closing of the door—eliminating the need to drill holes in the walls.
- Linear Fiber Guides: Transparent plastic raceways featuring a self-adhesive backing enable rapid cable routing while providing an invisible finish that protects against dust and physical damage (e.g., from pets).
Replacing Existing Cables (“Leveraging Existing Infrastructure”)
If your conduit is currently blocked but contains existing network or telephone cables, the installation technician will securely attach the “invisible” fiber optic cable to the old line. By pulling the old line through the conduit, the fiber optic cable is simultaneously guided into place, thereby achieving a seamless, “invisible” replacement.
Other Auxiliary Methods
- Corrugated Tubing / Cable Trunking: In areas where aesthetic requirements are slightly lower, such as balconies or entryways or where the installation of invisible fiber is impractical, ultra-fine decorative trunking or miniature corrugated tubing may be used to provide protective routing.
- Silicone Adhesive Cable Securing: For surfaces made of specific materials (such as marble or tiles), technicians may occasionally use silicone adhesive to provide localized reinforcement and secure the cable in place.
Installation Precautions (Non-Conduit Scenarios)
1. Surface Preparation: Before adhering the invisible fiber optic cable, ensure that the wall or baseboard surface is free of dust and moisture; otherwise, the cable may easily detach.
2. Bending Radius: Even when running exposed cabling, a specific curvature must be maintained when navigating internal or external corners (typically a radius of no less than 15 mm). Creating sharp, 90-degree folds is strictly prohibited.
3. Protection Against Compression: Although invisible fiber optic cables possess a certain degree of flexibility and durability, they should still be routed to avoid areas prone to heavy loads or frequent foot traffic.
Yingda Recommendation
You may contact your service provider’s (like Claro, Tenefonica, Movistar, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Orange, SFR, etc) customer service hotline directly to schedule a visit from an installation technician for an on-site environmental assessment.
Most technicians possess extensive experience in routing exposed cabling within older buildings or homes with complex layouts.
