Hi all,
I’m mounting a TV on the ground floor of a two-storey house.
The power point is at the base of the wall, and I want a clean look with no visible cables.
Two options:
Run the TV power cord through the wall to the existing GPO at the bottom.
Get an electrician to install a new GPO behind the TV.
HDMI/data cables will still run inside the wall either way.
Is option 1 legal/safe in Australia, or should I go straight to option 2?
Thanks!
Is it not OK to fit cable grommets and run the power, HDMI and antenna cables through the wall?
HDMI there's no regulation that I'm aware of but using a regular power lead inside a wall would be illegal. Antenna I believe is OK but who uses those any longer? Data technically wouldn't be legal but if you were using grommets and a patch lead rather than UTP with punch down jacks it's a little more grey as that's not a permanent install but I think still wouldn't be compliant.
Normal power cables run inside walls without conduit; I don't get how an IEC C13 running from a TV to a GPO via wall cavity is non-compliant.
@sumyungguy: I don't make the rules nor am I qualified to give you the reasoning but it is. I may have something to do with some power leads not having an earth and so they just lump them all in together but that's just a guess.
@apsilon: Not as neat but are you allowed to run a power cable through some conduit? Something like this? https://www.bunnings.com.au/deta-16-x-10mm-x-2m-trunking_p43…
@aussieplip: I can't say for certain but I think that'd be OK but I wouldn't recommend running data in the same trunking.
@apsilon: Pretty much everyone with a desktop monitor arm and/or wall-mounted TV is running HDMI alongside power.
@sumyungguy: Well HDMI cables are shielded for one unlike most network patch leads. The consequence of corrupted signal on HDMI vs on a network cable are potentially vastly different as well but feel free to do whatever you want.
Not correct. You can run a terminated power cable through a wall using something like this:
Link to the reg covering it? AFAIK you can only do it through "rigid conduit" and this doesn't meet that description.
HDMI/data cables will still run inside the wall either way.
Presumably installed by a licensed cabler.
Learn from my mistake.
Get an electrician to install a new GPO behind the TV.
I did exactly this when I was building, trying to be smart. I was attempting to have all the power and cables hidden behind the TV. Sounded logical.
Not if you decide to wall mount your TV with a very slim TV mount, as I did.
It didn't leave enough room at the back of the TV for the plug etc.
If you're considering a TV wall mount, and especially a slim bracket, go for option 1.
You sparky should've used a recessed outlet.
Yeah could have, but builder taxes a premium for added options.
Yep
Matchmaster recessed/hidden media hub is a good option
Flexibility for power as well as other entry plates etc..
If you do Option 1, then the Cable Police Special Tactics Squad will no knock warrant break down your front door and seize your electronics.
Who doesn’t love voiding there home insurance
It's a rental. They are voiding someone else's home insurance…
How do you know its a rental? If it is a rental, then they shouldn't be making their own modifications.
Where is the MS Paint Diagram???
Electrician job, BTW
I used cable clear to run the power, antenna and a few HDMI cables to the bottom GPO like Option 1. https://www.cableclear.net/
It used to be sold at Bunnings when I did it early last year. Anyone know something similar? Looks to be unavailable now.
I wouldn't mount a TV on the ground floor - someone might STEP on it! - tish boom.
I'll show myself out..
Option 1 is non compliant.