How to Wire Your House for a Second Cable TV
Having the ability to access cable television programming in a second room is a convenience that many take for granted. Many homes do not have jacks in every room however, and with most all cable TV services using coaxial able to distribute content, having a local tap to quickly connect to this programming is a useful feature. Using the proper tools and inexpensive coaxial cable, installers can get a second set up and running within a few hours.
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Things You'll Need
- Spool of unterminated RG-6 quad-shield coax
- Crimp-on RG-6 connectors
- Wire cutters
- RG-6 crimp tool
- RG-6 stripper tool
- Hammer
- Single-gang low voltage junction box (blue)
- Small drywall saw
- 3/4-inch wood screws
- Auger head fish bit
- Drill
Instructions
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Getting the Signal
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1
Locate entry point of incoming coaxial cable into the structure. Look outside first, then in the basement. Often, coax is buried coming in and not visible outside.
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2
Once located in basement, remove staples holding coax to floor joists, freeing approximately 8-10 inches.
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3
Using wire cutters, cut the coax at the midpoint of the section previously removed.
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4
Take the coax stripper, and strip off 3/4-inch section of jacket from both ends. Fold braided shielding back along jacket of cable.
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5
Insert coax connector into coax crimper, and attach connectors to both ends.
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6
Insert splitter in between cable ends. Put the section coming in from outside into the "Input" section, and the other end into one of the outputs.
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7
Determine location of new coaxial installation. In this room, locate an AC outlet on the wall where the new cable jack is to be installed. Shut off power to this room via electrical breaker box.
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8
Carefully remove baseboard using the claw end of a hammer, or pull back carpeting below the drywall, using a small hammer or needle-nose pliers.
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9
Attach auger-head fish bit to drill. On the opposite side of the stud to which the AC outlet is attached, drill down, starting at the same height as the AC outlet. The bit will continue through the wall's footer and into the basement.
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10
Attach unterminated end of coaxial cable in basement to collar or fish bit. Use electrical tape to secure.
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11
Pull bit and attached coax back through floor and wall. Do not pull trigger on drill.
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12
Use pencil to trace around junction box, at the same height as the adjacent outlet.
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13
Use a small drywall saw to remove this portion of wall.
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14
Insert coax into the bottom of the junction box, and push box into wall.
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15
Use 3/4-inch wood screws and drill to secure box to adjacent stud. Brush off excess sheetrock material.
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16
Use coax stripper and remove 3/4-inch of coax jacket.
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17
Use coax crimper and attach coax connector to the cable.
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18
Take coaxial inlet plate, and screw coax onto rear of plate.
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19
Use screws supplied with inlet plate and secure to blue junction box.
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20
Run length of terminated coax from plate to television or decoder box.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use blue painter's tape to border the area around the drywall cut for the junction box. This keeps the edges cleaner.
Always double-check for pipes, wires and ducts prior to performing any drilling.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit TV image by Ilija Mitrevski from Fotolia.com
