How to... Tapping into Existing Outlet for HDTV

ACESFULL · 08-16-2010, 04:06 PM

I have my flat screen mounted above my gas fireplace and want to have the outlet and HDMI cable run in the wall. Now I have had an electrician give me an estimate and I think I can do it for a lot less. Now what is the best way to tackle this job? Is it pretty straight forward? Can you provide some assistance?

TIA

Front Elevation - Outlet to the lower left. Thought is to cut channel by outlet then up the wall then over to the right by tv.

Closer view of corner and outlet

Scuba_Dave · 08-16-2010, 04:08 PM

Attic above or basement below ?
Running dedicated circuit or pulling power from another outlet ?

Proby · 08-16-2010, 04:08 PM

No one could answer this question properly without seeing what you have.

Some pictures would be great, information is necessary too. Is this on the first floor with a basement below it? Attic above? All those details will help. Knowing what country you're in will also help with electrical code.

ACESFULL · 08-16-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

Attic above or basement below ?
Running dedicated circuit or pulling power from another outlet ?

Main floor - unfinished basement below. I would like to tap from an existing outlet. Outlet on wall approx 8 ft away. 5 ft up wall and 3 ft to the right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proby

No one could answer this question properly without seeing what you have.

Some pictures would be great, information is necessary too. Is this on the first floor with a basement below it? Attic above? All those details will help. Knowing what country you're in will also help with electrical code.

I am in USA in Illinois.

Thanks!

Proby · 08-16-2010, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACESFULL

Main floor - unfinished basement below. I would like to tap from an existing outlet. Outlet on wall approx 8 ft away. 5 ft up wall and 3 ft to the right.

I am in USA in Illinois.

Thanks!

Is this a flat wall with the fireplace recessed, or is the wall bumped out?

How close to Chicago are you? Some areas require electrical work to be piped in and old work flexed.

ACESFULL · 08-16-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proby

Is this a flat wall with the fireplace recessed, or is the wall bumped out?

How close to Chicago are you? Some areas require electrical work to be piped in and old work flexed.

Yes wall is flat. The fireplace is gas and was built with the house not a retro fit. I don't believe the wall is bumped out. When the electrician came to look at this he recommended that he cut a channel out of the drywall and put box in behind the mounting bracket for the tv. Then just patch it up. He wasn't 100% sure how the fireplace was set in the wall and didn't want to take a chance in hitting gas line.

I am 4.5 hours from Chicago. Just outside StL.

frenchelectrican · 08-16-2010, 04:20 PM

It can be done as other mention but if your fireplace is flat wall type it will be not too bad but budged or kicked out a bit then it will get little tricky to deal with it.

Is that gaz fireplace is direct vent or convetinal venting set up like wood burning fireplace ?

If direct vent it will be much easier to snake in new cable or conduit if you are near Chicago suburans area { IIRC they can use the MC if extended but I need to check with Chicago codes to make sure before you go with it. }

Merci.
Marc

Proby · 08-16-2010, 04:21 PM

I'd probably end up doing it the way your electrician said. Fishing a wire up from the basement might be problematic with the fireplace underneath the TV location.

However, I don't like taking channels out of the drywall, I personally make small holes only where necessary. It's easier and cleaner to patch.

What was the estimate from the electrician, if you don't mind me asking?

ACESFULL · 08-16-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proby

I'd probably end up doing it the way your electrician said. Fishing a wire up from the basement might be problematic with the fireplace underneath the TV location.

However, I don't like taking channels out of the drywall, I personally make small holes only where necessary. It's easier and cleaner to patch.

What was the estimate from the electrician, if you don't mind me asking?

Yep thats what the electrician said as well. He was worried about the basement and the fireplace.

Yeah I agree with you on the channel vs small holes.

The estimate was based solely on a per hour basis. Mind you I would have to cut out the sheet-rock and patch it prior and his figure was close to 2 to 2.5 hours ($200ish) thought that was a bit high.

Proby · 08-16-2010, 04:30 PM

This is something you should have no problem doing yourself.

Take some pictures of the area and post them.

ACESFULL · 08-16-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proby

This is something you should have no problem doing yourself.

Take some pictures of the area and post them.

Great - I am trying to learn as much as I can as this will be the 1st attempt at electrical. I went to trade school to frame and finish homes but never did anything with plumbing or electrical. Do want to screw it up. Will I need a permit for this or no?

Ok will post pics once I get home this evening.

ACESFULL · 08-16-2010, 09:03 PM

OP updated with pics... Any other advice would be great.

TIA

Proby · 08-16-2010, 09:24 PM

Permit might be necessary, and we are still not sure about the proper wiring method for your area so you are going to have to deal with your local code enforcement office for that.

You have what seems to be an easy situation. The channel you cut out only has to be up at the height of the receptacle you install behind the TV, you don't have to run it down and into the box.

To get the wire into the box from the channel (or hole, easier to patch) above you simply remove the receptacle and pull the wiring out from the box, then push a metal snake up the wall to the hole you made.

Now you use a long drill bit to drill thru each stud, this will require a hole made in the center of the stud bay unless you go ahead and cut out the long channel like you said. Then snake the wire thru to the receptacle behind the TV. The same could be done with an HDMI cable on the other side.

And PLEASE, center that TV over the fireplace!!!!!!!!!!!!

ACESFULL · 08-16-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proby

Permit might be necessary, and we are still not sure about the proper wiring method for your area so you are going to have to deal with your local code enforcement office for that.

You have what seems to be an easy situation. The channel you cut out only has to be up at the height of the receptacle you install behind the TV, you don't have to run it down and into the box.

To get the wire into the box from the channel (or hole, easier to patch) above you simply remove the receptacle and pull the wiring out from the box, then push a metal snake up the wall to the hole you made.

Now you use a long drill bit to drill thru each stud, this will require a hole made in the center of the stud bay unless you go ahead and cut out the long channel like you said. Then snake the wire thru to the receptacle behind the TV. The same could be done with an HDMI cable on the other side.

And PLEASE, center that TV over the fireplace!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok so it sounds like its pretty straight forward. Now my question is how do I go about splicing/tie into the outlet and carrying it up to the tv? Wiring method??

Proby · 08-16-2010, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACESFULL

Ok so it sounds like its pretty straight forward. Now my question is how do I go about splicing/tie into the outlet and carrying it up to the tv? Wiring method??

Again, you call your local code enforcement office. You ask them about permits and what type of wiring method is allowable.