Safest way to avoid electrical wiring?

kcult

kcult

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When I installed my surveillance cameras, I decided to put the recorder in our "extra" room to keep from having to run cables into the living area. It worked out pretty well.

Now, I would like to run an HDMI cable from the recorder to our tv in the living area. The recorder is on the other side of the wall from the tv. I bought a set of the brush type faceplates for this, assuming I would just drill a hole through the wall, mount the plates, and slip the cable through.

That sounds easy enough, but I want to be sure I'm not drilling into any wiring in the process.

What's the best way to go about this? I don't know enough about house wiring to know how it's run between receptacles.

Thanks!
 
1) get a stud finder that also locates wiring. They're not expensive.
2) if there is not an electrical outlet or switch in the space between the studs you are working within there "likely" isn't any wiring there either. Wire is expensive and they don't just throw it in there Willy Nilly (that being said I've seen some screwy electrical work done by homeowners and "pros".)

3) see number 1. We don't wanna rename you "Sparky"
 
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amnesia said:
I haven't tried these but how about a wireless HDMI transmitter?

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-wireless-hdmi-video-transmitter/
Click to expand...

I was hoping there would be a less destructive method of getting the images on my TV than adding holes in the wall.

The dummy in me also was wondering how to get the images to my smart TV via wifi. I mean, I'm using a range extender now, I think for the phone app (it's been a while since I set this up), so why can't wifi get the recordings sent to my TV?

Time for some duck duck going. Hmm. That doesn't really roll off the tongue like "googleing."
 
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kcult said:
Time for some duck duck going. Hmm. That doesn't really roll off the tongue like "googleing."
Click to expand...

Practice, just takes practice..

The wireless hdmi that amnesia posted is likely in our future here.
 
kcult said:
The idea was one cable, hole in the wall, faceplates on either side. A direct connection between recorder and TV.

And on the TV side of it, the faceplate would be hidden. So, I guess it doesn't need to be that alluring.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that kinda work’ll be fine...

for you. :D
 
Catfish said:
You don't need a drill to make a hole in drywall. Just push a screwdriver through and waffle it around until the hole is big enough for the wire.
Click to expand...

Drywall on one side, panelling on the other.

But I see your point.
 
You will have to have some type of wall box to mount the brush faceplates to just fyi usually you can get the rework boxes and are easy to install you just have to cut hole out for the boxes, they do not need anchoring to a stud catch on sheetrock with tabs that fold out. If you didn’t have a wire locater or stud finder the screwdriver in sheet rock side would work and then you can shine a light in the hole to make sure no wires before drilling/cutting other side.
 
kcult said:
When I installed my surveillance cameras, I decided to put the recorder in our "extra" room to keep from having to run cables into the living area. It worked out pretty well.

Now, I would like to run an HDMI cable from the recorder to our tv in the living area. The recorder is on the other side of the wall from the tv. I bought a set of the brush type faceplates for this, assuming I would just drill a hole through the wall, mount the plates, and slip the cable through.

That sounds easy enough, but I want to be sure I'm not drilling into any wiring in the process.

What's the best way to go about this? I don't know enough about house wiring to know how it's run between receptacles.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I assume by pulling only the HDMI means you are only interested in the live display. If that is the case, another approach would be to get an inexpensive Amazon Firestick for the TV and use the TinyIP Cam app on it. No wires!

I use this setup with a small cheap HD monitor to act as a 24/7 peephole.
 
Jp8819 said:
You will have to have some type of wall box to mount the brush faceplates to just fyi...
Click to expand...
You could screw directly into the drywall or paneling, no wall box required. Wouldn’t do it if it was something I was messing with (like an outlet), but for a set it and forget it project like running this one wire, it’s doable.

Punch a hole in the drywall on one side, peek in with a light, drill a hole in the paneling on the opposite side.
 
@gunbelt is a pretty good electrician
 
I’ve done a ton of this, in all kinds of walls.

Your interior wall will not be insulated, and will likely not have horizontal bracing, so...

Cut, bore or punch the hole where you want it behind the TV. In the other room drill a very small hole in the paneling joint where you believe the same wall void is and at the height you want. Turn off the lights in that room and shine a flashlight into the void from the hole behind the tv, if you see a spot of light then you’re golden. Drill a slightly larger hole, drop a wire down from the big hole and use it to pull the hdmi cable. If you can’t see the light reverse the process, shine the light in the small hole and look from the large. If that doesn't work then you probably should measure again. The point to all this is that you don’t need to go straight through the wall unless you want to.

One reason to check for studs and other stuff, and to make a hole with a screwdriver, is that while it sucks to hit a power line, it also sucks to drill into a stud, a water line, or even a sewer stack. Lots of stuff in walls, and most of the time people just miss it by dumb luck. Once drilled into the back of a breaker box, I was younger then.
 
BigWaylon said:
You could screw directly into the drywall or paneling, no wall box required. Wouldn’t do it if it was something I was messing with (like an outlet), but for a set it and forget it project like running this one wire, it’s doable.

Punch a hole in the drywall on one side, peek in with a light, drill a hole in the paneling on the opposite side.
Click to expand...


You could but then you have to use some type of drywall anchors in the wall or the screws just pull out of the sheet rock over time leaving a cover half hanging. I would rather have the low voltage boxes that do not have a back than deal with anchors plus the larger square hole for the box gives little more room to work in and they are cheap and easy to install for any future wires threw there. Just a personal prefrence.
 
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You need to know if plumbing is in the wall or could be close. Measurements in the crawl space or attic will identify that possibility. Normally they go straight up.

Most receptacles are run east to west on the same circuit and at the same height. The first run will be up from the crawl space or down from the ceiling.

To find studs in sheet rock all you need is a cheap strong magnet with a string glued in it. Move the magnet till you find a sheetrock screw. The string will hang down indicating the stud is there. That will tell you where to drill away from the stud. Use a post construction box. Attach the faceplate to a box.

Most importantly get someone to help. It will keep you from drinking.
 
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