View Full Version : Running video cable through an existing wall
pwd77
Feb 25, 2007, 06:53 PM
2 questions:
1. I want to feed video cable into a wall so I can service several rooms through the attic. Is there any trick to getting the cable from the room, through a small hole, up through the insulation and out through a relatively small hole in the attic, or am I dreaming?
2. with new work such as a basement remodel, is it necessary to have the flexible plastic conduit to feed video and phone wires, or just desirable?
Thanks!
labman
Feb 25, 2007, 07:59 PM
If you choose interior walls, it eliminates the hassle of the insulation. One real trick is to use face plates. Cut a hole in the wall slightly smaller than the plate. Drill a hole into the wall cavity from the attic, push the cable down into it, and reach in through the face plate hole and pull the cable out. If your hand won't fit in the hole, recruit your wife or a kid. Coat hanger wire, weight on a string, and other tricks help.
pwd77
Feb 25, 2007, 10:00 PM
Thanks
Exterior wall is a must here. Getting the cable in a hole is easy, getting it OUT another is the tricky part, especially with insulation
I like the faceplate (over old-work box) approach
Still looking for more suggestions...
nmwirez
Feb 26, 2007, 01:19 PM
Exterior wall with insulation is tough but do-able. First up, you need to know if you have a clear shot from the attic down the wall below. Clearance to get a steel fishtape into the wall bay below is okay if there is no fireblocking in the wall. If there is you may try from the basement below as an alternate route if the cable is down below. Otherwise that blocking will need clearing in that bay. Depends on how old the house is and if the wall is on a gable side. Good luck. NM
pwd77
Feb 26, 2007, 07:41 PM
Thanks!
I could conceivably send it down to the basement, then up through the electrical panel to the attic, but I figured I would be asking for a lot of electrical noise doing that.
nmwirez
Feb 26, 2007, 08:28 PM
Thanks!
I could conceivably send it down to the basement, then up through the electrical panel to the attic, but I figured I would be asking for a lot of electrical noise doing that.
I forgot, running in conduit not necessary with RG6 and quad lite. Avoid going through panelboard.
pwd77
Feb 27, 2007, 08:49 AM
Thanks again!