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ADMIT IT: Who wall mounted their PLASMA or LCD TV and ran the power cord behind wall?

post #1 of 295
4/24/06 at 11:10am
Thread Starter 
Just wanted to get some consensus on this topic. I am planning on wall mounting my plasma in the next few weeks. Prior to reading anything about plasma wall mounting, I had the basic idea that I'll just need to drill a couple of holes on the drywall and run the a/v cables plus the plasma power cord through them. I have the PureAV power console and I want to make sure all my a/v equipment are protected by keeping them plugged into the console. Yesterday I ran across a number of threads and search topics that mentioned violating the NEC (national electrification code) if I run the power cord behind the wall. I said WTF??? Now I am trying to look for options on how to proceed without much cost. I'd like to believe that there is still a way to proceed with running the cord behind the wall but adding a little bit of safety measures along the way.

So now I am asking everyone here who has a wall mounted plasma or LCD. Cmon now, admit if you ran the power cord behind the wall irregardless of NEC. How did it turn out for you? What was the other side of the wall with which you connected the TV? Did you try to protect the power cord as you ran it behind the wall with some sort of insulation? Did you have to drill separate holes about 6 inches apart with one for the a/v cables and the other for the power cord? Do you notice or is concerned about any static caused by running the power cord behind the wall? What safety measures can you suggest to me (or anyone stubborn enough to follow NEC) in proceeding with this plan?

BTW, the house is a condo that I own. I will eventually sell this to move up and might consider leaving the plasma behind as it's already mounted in the wall.
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post #2 of 295
4/24/06 at 11:34am
I wouldn't do it, unless you want to worry about an extreme fire hazard. What's inside that wall is far more flammable than what's on the outside. Some insurance companies will void a homeowner's policy if you do something like that (i.e. your house burns down - you get $0 from insurance).

Really, it's not very expensive to install a recessed (clock) outlet behind the TV and run the appropriate electrical wire from the nearest outlet. It is, however, quite a bit of work if you have never done it before (especially if you have to go around/through studs - be sure to use nail guards over the wire). You will probably end up with some holes in the wall to patch/paint when you are done. And you want surge protection, so in that case you will need a clock outlet with built-in surge supression (there are some cheap ones out there if you look).

If you do all that, then you can run the other cables (audio/video/etc) behind the wall (preferably in some kind of tubing like PVC) and plug those into whatever.

Of course you could always just use raceways and not go through the wall at all. Personally, I don't like the look of it but some people are ok with it so it all depends on your preferance.
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post #3 of 295
4/24/06 at 11:42am
Platfinger is absolutely correct about fire hazards and home insurance. In addition, when you go to sell the condo, any home inspector worth a cent will notice the wire run into the wall and force you to change it before the condo sells.

If you have an outlet directly below the panel location, there is a good chance that you can install an outlet directly behind that panel.

Platfinger mentions surge protection outlets, If you are interested in a little line conditioning too, look at the outlets offered by Panamax and Monster Cable. I really like the Panamax outlets because they are priced like a Belkin (if they ever build an outlet) but offer additional modules for adding component video, S-video and other applications.

-Cheers

Matt
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post #4 of 295
4/24/06 at 11:59am
Thread Starter 
I saw the panamax clock outlets with surge protection too. Just thought that I already bought the pureAV console as my surge protection and now I'll need to buy another one just for the plasma. Are there any cheaper clock outlets with surge protection out there aside from panamax? The panamax kit is like $299. Heck it's even more expensive that my pureAV console. Thanks!
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post #5 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:11pm
I can't understand why you would want the forum to support your deciding to do something you already know isn't the right way to do it.

Our condo association has gone against two homeowners who negligently caused fires in their units. Or rather, the condo association's insurance company has. And, if this is a multi-family building, you are putting your neighbors at risk.

We can't always guess all of the history of why the electrical code is written the way it is. But it has a long history of evolving to respond to materials and procedures that proved to be unsafe.

There is no doubt that running a portable cord in a wall violates code. I have quoted it many times here.
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post #6 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:14pm
My prefrence would be to get a plasma console with a 'headboard' type backing to mount the plasma too. It still floats but the cords are out of site.
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post #7 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:16pm
Hi,

At first I were about to run the extension cord behind to wall but after learning that it could cause a fire hazard, I installed a new outlet just 3 feet on top of the original one.

However, I didn't nail the guard nails over the wires. Is it going to be a problem?

Thanks.
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post #8 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by martyj19 View Post

I can't understand why you would want the forum to support your deciding to do something you already know isn't the right way to do it.

Our condo association has gone against two homeowners who negligently caused fires in their units. Or rather, the condo association's insurance company has. And, if this is a multi-family building, you are putting your neighbors at risk.

We can't always guess all of the history of why the electrical code is written the way it is. But it has a long history of evolving to respond to materials and procedures that proved to be unsafe.

There is no doubt that running a portable cord in a wall violates code. I have quoted it many times here.

I understand the issue with the NEC now (you don't have to be so anal about it hehe). But I also believe others here have ignored that code and went ahead with their install. What made them do it? What thoughts did they consider proceeding with this approach. So what if you've quoted it several times in this board already? It's not like you're the forum god here or something that once you say something, people should catch on it (or else you'll be mad just like now hehe).
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post #9 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:25pm
I understand about the electrical cable not being run through the wall (say between the vapor barrier and drywall) for safety reasons, but how about video cable (Component, HDMI and or Pioneer Elite Media Receiver to Display Cable)?

Thanks.
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post #10 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thegoldenhand View Post

I saw the panamax clock outlets with surge protection too. Just thought that I already bought the pureAV console as my surge protection and now I'll need to buy another one just for the plasma. Are there any cheaper clock outlets with surge protection out there aside from panamax? The panamax kit is like $299. Heck it's even more expensive that my pureAV console. Thanks!

Only the power has to be protected at the TV-end right (I assume that you are not connecting an outside cable directly to this TV via cable card, etc.)? You can then protect the other lines near wherever you have your extra components (DVR, DVD, whatever you have) using the pureAV thing you bought.

I saw some (relatively) cheap clock outlets with surge protection somewhere - maybe someone else would be kind enough to post some product names.
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post #11 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ethek View Post

My prefrence would be to get a plasma console with a 'headboard' type backing to mount the plasma too. It still floats but the cords are out of site.

Yep I saw something like that at bestbuy. That costs about $600 though (yikes!). The stand is $399 MSRP and the back wall is $199 MSRP. If it's that much then I might as well spend on the surge protected clock outlet. Thanks for the tip though.

Another option I thought about is installing a embossed (what's the opposite of recessed? hehe) wall section that will be just about the width of the plasma will will start from about the top of the plasma all the way down before the base board. The design is to run a 2x4 stud outside the wall and hard screw it onto the existing studs inside the wall. Then I can either cover it with some beaded panels or a drywall sheet instead. I'd have to get a much longer bolt though for the wall mount. I'd assume it has to be thru and thru both studs (outside and inside the wall) to be real secure. This may take some time though but would be cheaper compared to getting the panamax outlets. I read in the panamax site that you need to get the kit to have surge protection. That costs $299 (yikes again!).
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post #12 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BuckaTune View Post

I understand about the electrical cable not being run through the wall (say between the vapor barrier and drywall) for safety reasons, but how about video cable (Component, HDMI and or Pioneer Elite Media Receiver to Display Cable)?

Thanks.

I didn't think those were fire hazards. I know people do that all the time. Of course I would always put it in some kind of pvc or something that is sorta fireproof in case there was a surge.
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post #13 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:35pm
I did it...ran my power cord through my wall. There is no insulation in my wall. Just drywall and metal studs.

Actually, the Home Theater company I hired to install everything did it and said they do it all the time.

My power cord is going through my wall and out the other side because I have all my equipment stored in a closet that is directly behind the wall my plasma is hanging on. No big deal.
LL
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post #14 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Platfinger View Post

Only the power has to be protected at the TV-end right (I assume that you are not connecting an outside cable directly to this TV via cable card, etc.)? You can then protect the other lines near wherever you have your extra components (DVR, DVD, whatever you have) using the pureAV thing you bought.

I saw some (relatively) cheap clock outlets with surge protection somewhere - maybe someone else would be kind enough to post some product names.

Oh that's another thing, I'd be running the cable behind the wall as well. My TV is using CableCARD. I'm assuming this can go with the a/v cables right?
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post #15 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSkeptiks View Post

Actually, the Home Theater company I hired to install everything did it and said they do it all the time.

Frightening! Yet again another example of why I would either have a licensed electrician do these installs or just do them myself.
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post #16 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:45pm
I guess this brings up another question, how about if you ran the electrical cable in a conduit up to the location behind the plasma panel?
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post #17 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:47pm
Aren't clock outlets, but Leviton 5280 or 7280 are real cheap solutions if you have enough room behind your mounted TV for the plug. I know I saw cheap clock outlets with surge protection somewhere, but darned if I can find it now.

Edit: forgot about this since it's been awhile since I had to remember this stuff, but you can install one of the outlets above and then route to a cheap clock outlet.
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post #18 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:49pm
I also did it -- old plaster walls with no insulation in them.

What's actually a real fire hazard are the power strips full of active plugs that fry the outlets under heavy load.

At least the power cord is rubber coated, stays cool, and there is no evidence that the middle of the power cord has ever caused a problem. Heck, in my city they don't allow plastic pipes to appease the union metalworkers.
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post #19 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:51pm
A/V cabling that is CL-2 or CL-3 rated for inwall use is designed to be run in-wall. Most standard A/V cabling, especially anything with RCA ends most likely WON'T be CL rated.

If a "home theater" company is running standard power cables through the wall, I would guess that they won't be around for long. They shouldn't be around at all, because this a blatant disregard for building codes. And a safety hazard. Get it done right the first time. How much could it cost to add an outlet behind the plasma by tapping into the existing oputlet the original cable is plugged into? maybe $100? If you have a fire and your insurance claim is disallowed because of something like this you won't be happy. And I'm not saying that this won't work, because obviously it will, but just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.
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post #20 of 295
4/24/06 at 12:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSkeptiks View Post

I did it...ran my power cord through my wall. There is no insulation in my wall. Just drywall and metal studs.

Actually, the Home Theater company I hired to install everything did it and said they do it all the time.

My power cord is going through my wall and out the other side because I have all my equipment stored in a closet that is directly behind the wall my plasma is hanging on. No big deal.

So is this the premise that it "could" be ok to do so "if" the wall doesn't have any insulation. I would think there is no insulation on my wall. The other side of the wall is my kitchen sink. I would expect insulated walls on the external walls and the common wall I share with a neighbor.
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post #21 of 295
4/24/06 at 1:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fletch999 View Post

A/V cabling that is CL-2 or CL-3 rated for inwall use is designed to be run in-wall. Most standard A/V cabling, especially anything with RCA ends most likely WON'T be CL rated.

If a "home theater" company is running standard power cables through the wall, I would guess that they won't be around for long. They shouldn't be around at all, because this a blatant disregard for building codes. And a safety hazard. Get it done right the first time. How much could it cost to add an outlet behind the plasma by tapping into the existing oputlet the original cable is plugged into? maybe $100? If you have a fire and your insurance claim is disallowed because of something like this you won't be happy. And I'm not saying that this won't work, because obviously it will, but just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.

Ok now this is getting to be one interesting conversation. Looking at this panamax outlet kit, it costs $299. I am assuming that the 1st clock outlet goes behind the plasma. The other kit will be mounted below where that round (female) plug will go. Now I can then plug the power cord from the bottom kit onto my power console. I dont think I need to tap into an existing outlet with this kit. Unless I am making the wrong assumptions (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). What I don't get is how this could actually cost $299 when the surge protection will still be coming from my console anyway?

Panamax In-Wall PowerKit

The other panamax outlet is this one, which doesn't have any option for surge protection. This is priced at $50.

Panamax In-Wall Power
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post #22 of 295
4/24/06 at 1:10pm
I used the Panamax kit. At first - it had a short (metal box) - but we fixed it and now it works great.
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post #23 of 295
4/24/06 at 1:21pm
Ok, here is what I did. My 5060 is above a gas fireplace. There is a bump out from the wall aprox 3 and a half or so feet, so there is a lot of space behind the false wall to the real wall. My equipment cabinet is off to the left and below the plasma. I got some PVC pipe and a few elbows and fabricated a pvc pipe channel that runs the cables thru a hole behind the plasma, does a 90 angle down and to the left and then into the side of the cabinet. I ran the power and the 2 cables to the media box thru this "condiuit". It's a clean install I really don't have any second thoughts about it being a fire hazard at all. I will try to get some pictures up soon.


jeff
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post #24 of 295
4/24/06 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSkeptiks View Post

I did it...ran my power cord through my wall. There is no insulation in my wall. Just drywall and metal studs.

Actually, the Home Theater company I hired to install everything did it and said they do it all the time.

#My power cord is going through my wall and out the other side because I have all my equipment stored in a closet that is directly behind the wall my plasma is hanging on. No big deal.

I have exactly the same set-up. Just drilled a hole through the wall to the other side (no insulation, just drywall) and put all the equipment in an armorie in the guest room on the other side of the wall. Here are the links to the pics:

Post #1515

See the third picture. The Sceptre breakout box cable (including the power cable) goes through the wall.
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post #25 of 295
4/24/06 at 1:29pm
Wow, this is a timely thread - I was about to go home tonight and run an extension cord through my wall to the closet where my components are.

I was doing it for two reasons - one, to avoid ground loop issues, and two, to have a clean install with no wires whatsoever visible around the TV.

Looks like I'll have to rethink.
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post #26 of 295
4/24/06 at 1:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Wolfe View Post

I used the Panamax kit. At first - it had a short (metal box) - but we fixed it and now it works great.

I am finding it hard to justify the cost of $299 for that kit though. I mean the in-wall outlet is just $49 from panamax's website. I wonder where the other $250 came in. I understand that it has the surge suppression thiny. But cmon now, another $250 just for that, the twist-lockk power cord and the 50ft 12 guage romex? That's a ripoff! hehe
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post #27 of 295
4/24/06 at 1:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtntsfr View Post

...I got some PVC pipe and a few elbows and fabricated a pvc pipe channel..."conduit"....

This is the proper way to do this, although low and line voltages are supposed to be isolated also. You can easily run two "old work" outlet boxes connected by flexible conduit to duct the cords from one area to the next. This would be allowable with just the power cord ducted through, and in this case, you wouldn't have a face plate on either end.
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post #28 of 295
4/24/06 at 2:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thegoldenhand View Post

I am finding it hard to justify the cost of $299 for that kit though. I mean the in-wall outlet is just $49 from panamax's website. I wonder where the other $250 came in. I understand that it has the surge suppression thiny. But cmon now, another $250 just for that, the twist-lockk power cord and the 50ft 12 guage romex? That's a ripoff! hehe

I was referencing the less expensive boxes. You may want to check-out the monster outlet also. I know that many here love bashing their stuff but this unit does a nice job and is only $199 (I think that is right). It has an interesting solution for your HDMI cable too (well not that interesting).

http://www.monstercable.com/power/pr...Screen%20Power

-Matt
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post #29 of 295
4/24/06 at 2:51pm
I own an custom A/V business and I have never run an extension cord through a wall. I always add an outlet behind the plasma or projector. It isn't that difficult to do yourself. If you are already opening up the wall...why not run some romex to the nearest outlet and do it right. I only charge my customers an extra $60 to run the power the right way (only way). Best of all...haven't burned any houses to the ground yet!
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post #30 of 295
4/24/06 at 3:06pm
I ran my power and all video connections through the wall.
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