topic Re: Stray fibres on new fibre cable install in Full Fibre

Stray fibres on new fibre cable install

dfects — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:35:00 GMT

We upgraded to full fibre a couple of weeks back and so far its been really stable and consistently delivering the advertised speed which is awesome.

Today though I noticed something a bit odd, it looks like there are some stray fibres of some sort coming out of the fibre cable where its terminated and entering the ONT. I thought it might be cobwebs at first, but on closer look they appear golden like really thin copper strands. Surely the fibre OR use doesn't contain copper? Is it more likely they're poorly trimmed strengthening fibres (aramid?) or ripcord?

I didn't want to pull or mess with them as we rely on the internet for work. I just want to know if this is safe or needs attention? It's hard to get a decent photo of them due to the location.

Re: Stray fibres on new fibre cable install

RealAleMadrid — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:47:00 GMT

@dfects Looks like human or pet hairs to me, certainly not optical fibres. Just remove them carefully, don’t remove the fibre connector.

Re: Stray fibres on new fibre cable install

bmc — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:06:24 GMT

@dfects

The green plug is known as a "pigs tail" - it is pre-connected to the fibre cable with the other end joined (fused) to the incoming fibre cable. I think they come in sealed bags, opened onl when the installer needs it.

Brian

Re: Stray fibres on new fibre cable install

dfects — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:18:03 GMT

Ah thats reassuring, I was thinking the contractor had terminated the cable. So whatever it is it’s likely just stuck to the outside rather than coming from it if its preassembled. It’s hard to see as it’s coming mostly from the wall side. Familiar with pig tails for antenna connectors etc. just didn’t realise it was the same here. Assuming they’re spliced in the external grey box.

I’ll take a look later. Whatever it is, its seems too thin for human hair and is red/copper like and reflective. We have two cats but their fur is a different colour.

Re: Stray fibres on new fibre cable install

bmc — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:34:24 GMT

@dfects

Indeed, it is fused outside and then coiled inside the grey box.

Brian

Re: Stray fibres on new fibre cable install

krusty — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:45:09 GMT

@dfects wrote:

Ah thats reassuring, I was thinking the contractor had terminated the cable. So whatever it is it’s likely just stuck to the outside rather than coming from it if its preassembled. It’s hard to see as it’s coming mostly from the wall side. Familiar with pig tails for antenna connectors etc. just didn’t realise it was the same here. Assuming they’re spliced in the external grey box.

I’ll take a look later. Whatever it is, its seems too thin for human hair and is red/copper like and reflective. We have two cats but their fur is a different colour.

Yeah its spliced outside - which resides in the csp - if you have some very small scissors just snip it off.