How to Use Armored Cables for Remodeling

An HDMI cable lets the homeowner transfer both video and audio through a single cable from one point of a house to another. Using an armored HDMI cable provides protection for the cable when it replaces a cable that has been pulled through a wall. To use an armored HDMI cable instead of a standard-clad video cable, replace the video cable with the HDMI one. The procedure is straightforward and requires common household tools. Does this Spark an idea?

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Duct tape
Table lamp
Phillips screwdriver
Armored HDMI cable, 20 feet
2 HDMI faceplates

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Instructions

- 1
  
  Trip the fuse at the circuit breaker box to discontinue power to the rooms where the video cable in the wall is located. Tape the box closed to prevent it being accessed, using strips of duct tape. Lock the circuit box if it has a locking latch and lock the room leading to the box if there is one. Plug a table lamp into the outlets in the rooms where the cable runs through the wall to verify that there is no power.
- 2
  
  Remove the video faceplate on the wall which is next to the video device (the TV or video player) with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the faceplate off the wall and place it and the screws aside. Unscrew the locking plate inside the wall cavity with the Phillips screwdriver and set the screws aside. Release the end of the video cable from the slot in the locking plate. Remove the locking plate and set it aside.
- 3
  
  Tape the end of the video cable to an end of the armored HDMI cable with strips of duct tape. Smooth the duct tape with your fingers.
- 4
  
  Go to the other side of the wall where the other video faceplate is located. Remove the screws from the faceplate, pull the faceplate off the wall and remove the screws from the locking plate inside the wall cavity. Release the end of the video cable from the slot in the plate. Place the locking plate, faceplate and screws aside.
- 5
  
  Grip the end of the video cable and pull it out of the wall cavity. Continue pulling the video cable until you see the other duct-taped end.
- 6
  
  Remove the duct tape from the ends of the cables. Set the video cable aside. Place the locking plate back into the wall cavity. Place the end of the armored HDMI cable into the slot on the plate. Reattach the screws. Insert the end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI socket on the inside of the HDMI faceplate. Place the faceplate on the wall cavity and attach the screws.
- 7
  
  Place the locking plate back into the wall cavity next to the video device. Reattach the screws. Place the HDMI cable into the slot on the plate. Insert the end of the HDMI cable into the socket on the inside of the HDMI faceplate. Place the faceplate on the wall and attach the screws. Trip the circuit breaker to restore the electrical power.

Tips & Warnings

Have a person “feed” the HDMI cable into the wall as you pull from the other end to avoid any kinks in the cable.
Drilling new holes in the walls should only be done by a certified installer or electrician.