Installing a Plasma Television

Plasma televisions look great hanging on a wall without any visible wires, but they require a lot of wiring and effort to look that good. To install a plasma television using WireTracks, you must set up both the electrical and signal cables.

Electrical Wires
WireTracks wiring channels are not intended for use with electrical wiring, but they provide an opening into the wall that is invaluable for accessing electrical wiring.

Note: Check your local electrical codes before performing any steps in this section.

To set up electrical wiring for a Plasma TV, you will need to obtain Romex and a retrofit electrical junction box. Additionally, you will need to temporarily remove the WireTracks channel. For ease of installation, try to install the new outlet box within the same two studs as the old outlet box.
To set up the electrical for a plasma television, follow these steps:

1. Choose a location for the electrical outlet that will be hidden by the plasma television.
2. Shut off power to the outlet that you will tap into.
3. Remove the screws for the outlet and pulled it from its outlet box. Pop out one of the tabs in the back of the junction box and run Romex toward the opening where the WireTracks are normally installed.



4. Cut a hole for the outlet where the plasma television will be installed.



5. Drop a fish line from this outlet to the opening where the WireTracks are normally installed.
6. Attach the fish line to the romex and pull it through the new outlet location.





7. Install a new retrofit electrical box.

8. Connect the wiring to the new outlet.
9. Connect the other end of the wiring to the old outlet.
10. Reinstall the outlet, restore power, and test the new outlet with a lamp. You are finished with the electrical.

Signal Cables
Plasma TVs require signal cables that run to a control box. To hide the cables, follow these steps:

1. Cut a hole in the wall for the signal cables that is close to the newly installed electrical outlet and will be hidden by the plasma television.
2. Install a low-voltage retrofit junction box such as the Carlon SC100R.
3. Drop the wires from the retrofit junction box to the WireTracks wiring channel (remove the channel, if necessary.

4. Drill holes in the channel and pull the wiring through.

5. Install a connector plate through which you will run the signal cables. We used a simple connector plate with a square opening, but there are many products on the market that will work for this.

 

This article only describes how to pre-wire for a plama television. For information on hiding plasma televisions, consider using the VisionArt or Media Decor product.