Putting Cables into the wall

[Goldberg]

Will soon be embarking on putting cables in the wall (HDMI etc..) for the TV.

My current plan is to chop some wide trunking into the wall with access holes at the top/bottom.
Question is what do you use to cover the access points. Yes they are going to be hidden but I would like something to finish it off. Maybe a cover with brushes in the way? Anything to stop insects getting in.

It is not a huge problem for now. I have a Sony TV that has a receiver box and it wireless transfers the input to the TV, therefore the only cable that is actually physically plugged into the TV is the power. However it is not going to last forever and I might even move my Samsung Series 8 into the room as we use it more than the room the Samsung is in.

These look pretty cool from America http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PowerBri...&skuId=3180939

*EDIT*

Maplin sell these, probably ideal for my needs unless someone has a funky solution:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PHILEX-2G-...item5d38cbefdf

[EvilBoB]

Just one thing to watch out for mate - if you are thinking of doing this with power you will need to mount a wall socket behind the TV and not just run the power cable from the TV through the trunking to a socket at the bottom. You "could" do it that way but it would invalidate any buildings and contents insurance. Easy enough job to do though

Like that brushed socket you listed.

[Conkers]

http://www.av4home.co.uk/acatalog/AV...all_Plate.html

One of those?

[Goldberg]

Yeah heard about the power thing. Strange how you can mount a socket (which I will do) but not run a cable with plug through...
The power I will put through different trunking to avoid any interference with the AV cables.

As for the individual plates, I did consider this but too much of a mess about and not really future proof.

[BigBird]

How about something like this. reasonably cheap as well. (">

A few different types here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&k...l_4zc2sbxhcz_b

[Goldberg]

How about something like this. reasonably cheap as well. (">

A few different types here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&k...l_4zc2sbxhcz_b

WTF has Snoopy got to do with it!
Attachment 27720


Seriously though, I think these are exactly what I will be going for.

[BigBird]

WTF has Snoopy got to do with it!
Attachment 27720


Seriously though, I think these are exactly what I will be going for.

LOL. I don't know and I don't really care, because I have no control over the internal workings of Amazons search engine. Is weird though because it isn't relevant to the search terms in any way. (">

[theodotcom]

you can also get modular wall plates so you can change the connections as and when you wish.
http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cable/wall-plates

but the brushed solution is the easiest one.

[Goldberg]

Yeah the modular ones not ideal, you need more cables etc.. It is only going to be a couple of meters at most.

[Geko]

Just one thing to watch out for mate - if you are thinking of doing this with power you will need to mount a wall socket behind the TV and not just run the power cable from the TV through the trunking to a socket at the bottom. You "could" do it that way but it would invalidate any buildings and contents insurance. Easy enough job to do though

Like that brushed socket you listed.

That sounds ridiculous....! You can stick a 2.5mm twin and earth in the wall with no problems. I can't see that the draw from a TV creates much heat. But... You've made a good point, that I wasn't aware of. Insurance companies will do anything not to pay out.


Would you not also invalidate your insurance if you don't have the qualifications to install and test the spur?

[BigBird]

That sounds ridiculous....! You can stick a 2.5mm twin and earth in the wall with no problems. I can't see that the draw from a TV creates much heat. But... You've made a good point, that I wasn't aware of. Insurance companies will do anything not to pay out.


Would you also not invalidate your insurance if you don't have the qualifications to install and test the spur?

As you say, running a flex mains lead trough the wall to power a TV is not going to cause a fire. It wouldn't bother me to run a flex through the wall. Although insurance companies will try anything to avoid paying out, they would be on legally dodgy ground if they refused to pay out if it is shown that your wiring is not the cause of the fire. These days the fire department investigators are pretty good at determining the cause. (">

[EvilBoB]

The reasoning behind it is that if there is a plug there is a fuse that will blow before the cable gets hot in the event of a short. Common sense.

[EvilBoB]

Would you not also invalidate your insurance if you don't have the qualifications to install and test the spur?

Nope. You can do that without a problem. Again there is no problem as the fuse in the plug should protect.

They did bring some stupid laws in a few years back though - like changing a light fixture in bathroom or kitchen needs to be done by a qualified electrician! Like fuck am I paying £50 for someone to fit my £10 Ikea light lol! No way they can prove whether it was fitted before or after the ammendment to the law

[Pegasus]

No way they can prove whether it was fitted before or after the ammendment to the law

Yes they can, and you can change an existing light fitting yourself without upsetting Big Brother.

[EvilBoB]

Yes they can, and you can change an existing light fitting yourself without upsetting Big Brother.

How can they tell?

I stand corrected . Anyone can change the lighting but it's adding new fixtures or sockets in bathrooms and kitchens that is the issue and requires notifications to some dept of the council.

[Pegasus]

How can they tell?

Manufacturing date on the fitting itself.

[EvilBoB]

Manufacturing date on the fitting itself.

Well duh! lol. I checked that before fitting mine and there was nothing hehe. However after looking it up anyone can change fixtures without a problem. Adding new ones is the one that is an issue and considering that you can change a fitting at any time you could always say that the fitting was replaced but the original fixture was there years before.

[Geko]

Nope. You can do that without a problem. Again there is no problem as the fuse in the plug should protect.

They did bring some stupid laws in a few years back though - like changing a light fixture in bathroom or kitchen needs to be done by a qualified electrician! Like fuck am I paying £50 for someone to fit my £10 Ikea light lol! No way they can prove whether it was fitted before or after the ammendment to the law

I don't understand, what plug?

A plug is on the end of the IEC that runs up through the wall. If you install a socket, there is no plug until after what you have installed. Like you said, you have to be trained to install a light fitting or change the switch. Therefore, running a spur off an existing socket also needs to be installed by a qualified person and tested.

Also.... The fuse is very unlikely to blow in a plug unless your electrics are 30 years old. It's far more likely the MCB will go, or the RCD. With an RCD you can run a cable in the wall with no protection. So.... I find it rather silly.

[xppaul]

IMO. I'd run Category 6A or Category 7 Shielded cable to the TV location and present with this a double gang face plate. Then just buy the according balm's and future proof your set-up/home. This will give you all the expansion you need and network your smart TV at the same time.

face plate1.jpg

[Bailey2345]

IMO. I'd run Category 6A or Category 7 Shielded cable to the TV location and present with this a double gang face plate. Then just buy the according balm's and future proof your set-up/home. This will give you all the expansion you need and network your smart TV at the same time.

face plate1.jpg

Ideal world with lots of money but not cost effective! Far too pricey for not much gain!