Running extension cords through walls

[Anonymous]

I'm a home theatre installer who installs alot of Plasma displays. Frequently, the display is mounted on the wall. In these instances, I fish the video signals through the wall so no wires are showing (no problem since it's all class 2 wiring).

Here's my question... Can I run a power cord down the inside of the wall as long as no connections are made in the wall?

Thanks!
roy.

[mudshvel]

If people can afford a plasma tv ($2000+), plus a professional install (>$200), why can't customers pony up for a receptaple (?????$200-300?????) to be installed?

Just wondering....

[Photographer]

If people can afford a plasma tv ($2000+), plus a professional install (>$200), why can't customers pony up for a receptaple (?????$200-300?????) to be installed?

Where can you get a plasma TV that cheap?

Anyway, to be legal, you would have to get a licensed electrician to install the outlet, and get city permits. The permit alone would be over $500 in California where I am at, plus a couple of hours of electrician time.

[Wgoodrich]

What I am picturing is the low amperage or wattage but some unusually high voltage wires. I am picturing rather than secondary wiring what is considered as signalling wiring. I am picturing the c-board and receiver hidden in another room or basement with the wires to the plasma display and control wires. If so this would be signalling wiring.

If what I am picturing you have a mixture of wires with less than 50 volts low watt rated and some rather high voltage rated wires also being low watt rated.

The lower than 50 volts would be considered as secondary wiring allowed to be ran in walls only if the wires are with an outer sheathing and listed for in wall installation.

The higher [quite high] rated voltage but low watt rated would be signal wiring. While both are much the same in rules about installing in walls requiring the insulated wires to be with an outer sheathing there is a concern with the voltage. Do not use wire unless the insulation is rated for the voltage they are carrying.

Most secondary wiring is only rated for 600 volts.

Many signal wires may be way much higher than that. Most commonly the manufacturer will provide the listed and rated wire required to run in the walls. You must ensure what the manufacturer provide to you is with an outer sheathing over the grouped insulated wires and listed for in wall use.

This type installation is controlled in signalling wiring in Chapter 7 and 8 of the NEC.

However I believe you will find this installation most commonly created by the manufacturer and installed by the installer being exempt from Code enforcement.

Call you local Code Enforcement and explain you are installing signalling wiring as a component of a communications product namley a TV. You often will find your job exempt as signalling and component of manufacturers integrated system installation.

The NEC pushes the control of a manufacturer's integrated system to the underwriters labratories controlled by those two entities not by the NEC.

By the way not to push things into your mind beyond your control but if you could get with Santa Claus and you two bought me that nice plasma TV and happen to install it after Santa slides down my chimney on Xmas eve. I would be a REAL HAPPY CAMPER. Just remember to pay for it between you and Santa and DO NOT LEAVE ME THE BILL!!. POWER OF SUGGESTION. YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER DOING THE ABOVE UNTIL THE BILL COMES TO YOU AND YOUR WIFE SENDS "YOU" TO THE DOG HOUSE. Ha Ha, just thinking like a mad man in wishful thinking on my part.

Now how's that for power of suggestion, think it will work???
ufacturer provide to you is with an outer sheathing over the grouped insulated wires and listed for in wall use.

This type installation is controlled in signalling wiring in Chapter 7 and 8 of the NEC.

However I believe you will find this installation most commonly created by the manufacturer and installed by the installer being exempt from Code enforcement.

Call you local Code Enforcement and explain you are installing signalling wiring as a component of a communications product namley a TV. You often will find your job exempt as signalling and component of manufacturers integrated system installation.

The NEC pushes the control of a manufacturer's integrated system to the underwriters labratories controlled by those two entities not by the NEC.

By the way not to push things into your mind beyond your control but if you could get with Santa Claus and you two bought me that nice plasma TV and happen to install it after Santa slides down my chimney on Xmas eve. I would be a REAL HAPPY CAMPER. Just remember to pay for it between you and Santa and DO NOT LEAVE ME THE BILL!!. POWER OF SUGGESTION. YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER DOING THE ABOVE UNTIL THE BILL COMES TO YOU AND YOUR WIFE SENDS "YOU" TO THE DOG HOUSE. Ha Ha, just thinking like a mad man in wishful thinking on my part.

Now how's that for power of suggestion, think it will work???

Wg

[Photographer]

I believe that the original question was regarding the power cable (110V line) through the wall.

[Wgoodrich]

In this installation the power cord is not allowed to pass through a wall. The receptacle must be in sight of the equipment needing the plug in power source.

Wg

[cjohnston_4]

RE: why can't customers pony up for a receptaple (?????$200-300?????) to be installed?

I have the same question as the original post, however, for me, the thought of adding a receptacle ~45" up the side of a wall will look riduclous when it comes time to sell the home (naturally I am taking my plasma TV with me!)...

Are there any other workarounds to this issue? i.e. Not installing a receptacle and not 'illegally' running the TV power cord throught the wall...

Thanks,

[Wgoodrich]

Not commonly found today but there is what is called a clock receptacle that is recessed allowing the plug to insert into the receptacle and still allow the appliance to lay flat to the wall. This should be the proper installation with the clock receptacle placed behind the screen. Then it is code complaint.

Wg

[cjohnston_4]

Thanks Wg,

The clock receptaple sounds like a good idea, however, it is still a receptacle on the wall, and might not be so good for resale of the house..."what's that thing doing part way up the wall?" I digress...I will go look for one at the hardware store...

[scuba_dave]

If the plasma is still upo when youy sell the house its not a problem
As long as they know you are taking the plasma
If you take the plasma down 1st, find a book case to put there to block the outlet