We are going to add an HD Cable box for our kitchen. Our cable starts in our cellar. A prev. electrician (now out of business) left an open spot where we could add another cable outlet. I can figure out how to install it from the cellar and run the cable to below the kitchen. I also know how to add the plates on the wall. But ... how do I go about picking the right spot? Should it be at a stud? It will be close to an elec outlet. Can I just made a hole right next to the elec outlet? The new box will be HD (like others in our home). Should I use special cable to run it from the splitter to the (new) outlet on the wall? The new outlet will be only about a foot above the kitchen floor. Any help appreciated. If you write, will you please write your post in a simple manner, assuming we know very little about this? :) Betty
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- How do I run Cable from cellar to 1st floor
The crude way to do it (common, BTW) is just to punch
(or drill) a hole in the drywall and poke the cable through it. You might need to fish for the cable,
so the hole is usually large enough to look through -
maybe an inch round. Since it's only a foot above
the floor, you could use a coathanger or other wire,
poke it downward until it penetrates the hole you've
drilled in the sill (usually 1/2"), and use that to
pull the cable through. You can also use drywall screw anchors to secure a cable wall plate over
the hole after the cable is attached to the back.
A neater way to do
this is to buy a low voltage old work open junction
box or ring, mount it in a standard size rectangular
cutout in the drywall for single gang junction
box, and screw the cable wall plate into it. Since
old work boxes aren't nailed to studs, the location
needn't be adjacent to a stud. Such wall plates are
usually placed at the same height as electrical
outlets, and are often close by an outlet (because
the cable box needs power in addition to coax).
Caution: do NOT run the coax or other low voltage
cable through the same hole as line voltage wiring.
Keep low voltage and line
voltage wiring separated by at least 6 inches. I
would shut off the breaker for that nearby outlet
before working, just in case something unfortunate
happens while drilling.
Some low voltage cables are rated for "in-wall"
installation (they have thicker insulation or an
outer sheath). I don't think you really need that
for the short run you have here.
(or drill) a hole in the drywall and poke the cable through it. You might need to fish for the cable,
so the hole is usually large enough to look through -
maybe an inch round. Since it's only a foot above
the floor, you could use a coathanger or other wire,
poke it downward until it penetrates the hole you've
drilled in the sill (usually 1/2"), and use that to
pull the cable through. You can also use drywall screw anchors to secure a cable wall plate over
the hole after the cable is attached to the back.
A neater way to do
this is to buy a low voltage old work open junction
box or ring, mount it in a standard size rectangular
cutout in the drywall for single gang junction
box, and screw the cable wall plate into it. Since
old work boxes aren't nailed to studs, the location
needn't be adjacent to a stud. Such wall plates are
usually placed at the same height as electrical
outlets, and are often close by an outlet (because
the cable box needs power in addition to coax).
Caution: do NOT run the coax or other low voltage
cable through the same hole as line voltage wiring.
Keep low voltage and line
voltage wiring separated by at least 6 inches. I
would shut off the breaker for that nearby outlet
before working, just in case something unfortunate
happens while drilling.
Some low voltage cables are rated for "in-wall"
installation (they have thicker insulation or an
outer sheath). I don't think you really need that
for the short run you have here.
