Power Cord In Wall

[Ex Accountant]

I own a Sony KDL-52XBR2. I've been told orally that it is safe to have the power cord running inside the wall and I believe this to be true. Recently someone asked me to prove that it is safe. I called Sony customer support and the rep immediately said it was safe because the cord is well shielded. When I asked for some sort of written documentation, he said there was none within their database. Can anyone give me proof? Thank you.

[mr.hidef]

Originally Posted by Ex Accountant

I own a Sony KDL-52XBR2. I've been told orally that it is safe to have the power cord running inside the wall and I believe this to be true. Recently someone asked me to prove that it is safe. I called Sony customer support and the rep immediately said it was safe because the cord is well shielded. When I asked for some sort of written documentation, he said there was none within their database. Can anyone give me proof? Thank you.

O.K.? There aren't even 3,000 titles available on blu,so how is that for exageration?

[allstar780]

PFT

completely misunderstood lol... deleted my comment

[Ex Accountant]

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

O.K.? There aren't even 3,000 titles available on blu,so how is that for exageration?

You of course are assuming that I don't have any duplicates.

I have to admit I am exagerating one thing, though. My dog can in fact catch a frisbee. He's just not very good at it.

[ascian]

yeah, you probably don't want to put a power cord in the wall. not that it would cause any problems or anything, but it more than likely violates your homeowner's insurance. it violates national electrician's code (NEC) to have any sort of flexible power cord running through the wall and is designated as a fire hazard.

this is also true of many low voltage cables, especially hdmi/video cables with that net covering on them. you'll want a low voltage cord that is CL2 rated (UL rated is NOT the same thing) and a separate outlet installed for tv power behind the tv if it's going on the wall. there are several relatively inexpensive surge protectors made for on-wall/behind tv mounting as well.

they are designated as a fire hazard not necessarily b/c the cables themselves will overheat and explode or anything like that but for other reasons. the main one being that the wire jackets act like a wick and burn quickly, meaning they spread fire in the case of an emergency, where as proper cables are flame-retardant and/or burn slower. so while it's not the end of the world, it could bite you in the ass in the case of an inspection, or emergency. plus it looks a little ghetto, and i'm a big fan of doing things right.

[sokrman14]

Originally Posted by ascian

yeah, you probably don't want to put a power cord in the wall. not that it would cause any problems or anything, but it more than likely violates your homeowner's insurance. it violates national electrician's code (NEC) to have any sort of flexible power cord running through the wall and is designated as a fire hazard.

this is also true of many low voltage cables, especially hdmi/video cables with that net covering on them. you'll want a low voltage cord that is CL2 rated (UL rated is NOT the same thing) and a separate outlet installed for tv power behind the tv if it's going on the wall. there are several relatively inexpensive surge protectors made for on-wall/behind tv mounting as well.

they are designated as a fire hazard not necessarily b/c the cables themselves will overheat and explode or anything like that but for other reasons. the main one being that the wire jackets act like a wick and burn quickly, meaning they spread fire in the case of an emergency, where as proper cables are flame-retardant and/or burn slower. so while it's not the end of the world, it could bite you in the ass in the case of an inspection, or emergency. plus it looks a little ghetto, and i'm a big fan of doing things right.

Ditto, im glad someone said it before I had to type out something that long

[allstar780]

also the TV should have some sort of posts on the back to wrap the cord on... so if you're worried about the cord showing when its wall mounted... wrap the cord on those posts and just leave enough to plug it in and have an outlet wired into the wall for it

[Ex Accountant]

Originally Posted by ascian

yeah, you probably don't want to put a power cord in the wall. not that it would cause any problems or anything, but it more than likely violates your homeowner's insurance. it violates national electrician's code (NEC) to have any sort of flexible power cord running through the wall and is designated as a fire hazard.

this is also true of many low voltage cables, especially hdmi/video cables with that net covering on them. you'll want a low voltage cord that is CL2 rated (UL rated is NOT the same thing) and a separate outlet installed for tv power behind the tv if it's going on the wall. there are several relatively inexpensive surge protectors made for on-wall/behind tv mounting as well.

they are designated as a fire hazard not necessarily b/c the cables themselves will overheat and explode or anything like that but for other reasons. the main one being that the wire jackets act like a wick and burn quickly, meaning they spread fire in the case of an emergency, where as proper cables are flame-retardant and/or burn slower. so while it's not the end of the world, it could bite you in the ass in the case of an inspection, or emergency. plus it looks a little ghetto, and i'm a big fan of doing things right.

Thanks for the info. I do appreciate your input. I have CL2 rated speaker wires running in wall from my receiver to the speakers. This is what prompted me to ask the Sony CSR about the safety of power cords. I'm not sure about the looking ghetto part since the cord would be inside the wall, with the entry and exit points being outside of anyone's view.

It sounds like you're saying that people who have their TVs mounted to the wall fit more or less into 3 basic categories:

1) They have the power cord plugged into an outlet located behind the TV so that the cord can remain out of sight.
2) They have the power cord plugged into an outlet located somewhere other than behind the TV, thereby exposing the cord to passersby.
3) They run the power cord within the wall in a potentially unsafe manner which could result in more expedient loss of life and property.

Am I to understand that there is NO safe, allowable, legal, A-OK way to run a power cord within the wall? Does anyone have any proof either way that they would be willing to dig up? I know it can be a hassle to gather evidence, but as it is, among the comments here so far vs Sony's CSR and the Magnolia Home Theater guy, I'm getting different answers.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Ex Accountant

Am I to understand that there is NO safe, allowable, legal, A-OK way to run a power cord within the wall?

Correct.

The way I see it, if you are going through the trouble to open at least 2 holes in the wall to run your power cord down to an existing socket, why not just go one step further and run a permanent in-wall line up to your TV area and add an approved outlet? It's really not that much more work, and it will be "legal" and safe. Running low voltage speaker wire through the wall versus high voltage power cords is apples and oranges. If you want further confirmation, it may only take a phone call to your local building inspector's office. Technically, you would probably need a permit to add another wired outlet as I mentioned above, but folks do this all of the time without one. If you aren't comfortable doing it yourself, then hire an electrician. If all he/she has to do is wire the thing, it shouldn't cost you much. Most of the work involves fixing the wall afterwards.

My 2-cents.

[Edh63]

My suggestion is that you do the research and find out what the legalities and liabilities are. It would be just as easy, or difficult, for you to research it than coming here and asking someone else to confirm it for you and have them research it for you. All the resources are out there I'm sure. Do some research.

[Beta Man]

Call the provider of your Home-owner's insurance......

[Woody]

Originally Posted by Ex Accountant

Thanks for the info. I do appreciate your input. I have CL2 rated speaker wires running in wall from my receiver to the speakers. This is what prompted me to ask the Sony CSR about the safety of power cords. I'm not sure about the looking ghetto part since the cord would be inside the wall, with the entry and exit points being outside of anyone's view.

It sounds like you're saying that people who have their TVs mounted to the wall fit more or less into 3 basic categories:

1) They have the power cord plugged into an outlet located behind the TV so that the cord can remain out of sight.
2) They have the power cord plugged into an outlet located somewhere other than behind the TV, thereby exposing the cord to passersby.
3) They run the power cord within the wall in a potentially unsafe manner which could result in more expedient loss of life and property.

Am I to understand that there is NO safe, allowable, legal, A-OK way to run a power cord within the wall? Does anyone have any proof either way that they would be willing to dig up? I know it can be a hassle to gather evidence, but as it is, among the comments here so far vs Sony's CSR and the Magnolia Home Theater guy, I'm getting different answers.

There are in-wall "extention cords" made by Panamax, and Richard Gray's, and a few more I am sure. They are up to code and completely legal.

I suggest calling a local custom installation shop. There is absolutely a way to do it to code.

Or you could have an electrician put an outlet behind the TV as an above poster said.

[BrendonR]

My two cents,

I'd rather install an outlet in the wall behind the TV.

Reason being? If you decide to upgrade your display, you don't have to rip out, and install a new power cord into the wall.

[moviefan]

There are excellent points in all the above.
However, one issue that has not been mentioned is the desireability to plug all home theater components into the same house circuit. This reduces the possibility of producing a ground loop, resulting in a noticeable audio hum.
Using a power center, and plugging everything into it, is the most desireable way to go, but it means running the TV power cord directly to the power center. This may necessitate running it thru a wall.
The same situation may occur with HDMI and speaker cables. Low voltage, yes, but not up to in-wall code.
Are new power cords likely to cause a fire ... no, COULD they ... maybe.

[Ex Accountant]

Originally Posted by Edh63

My suggestion is that you do the research and find out what the legalities and liabilities are. It would be just as easy, or difficult, for you to research it than coming here and asking someone else to confirm it for you and have them research it for you. All the resources are out there I'm sure. Do some research.

Edh63...Code name for Pungent A-Hole? We're here, doing our thing, getting along, and then you show up giving attitude. Yes, I know I can look it up myself. I also know that the vast majority of the threads on this forum could simply be looked up by the OP. The last time I checked, we were a part of this forum to share our affection for Blu-ray and related items and to perhaps share our knowledge as well. So if someone on this forum had already encountered this scenario, I was hoping that they would provide me with a link to something to help me in my quest.

But lucky me, I got you instead. Thanks to the other posters, though. Your help is appreciated.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by BrendonR

My two cents,

I'd rather install an outlet in the wall behind the TV.

Reason being? If you decide to upgrade your display, you don't have to rip out, and install a new power cord into the wall.

You don't have to rip it out. It is literally an extention cord. It has 2 ends, 1 by the TV and 1 to plug into an outlet.

Changing TVs is as simple as unplugging the old, and plugging in the new.

My recommendation is the cord for 2 reasons.

1. If you install a new receptacle behind the TV, what happens if you don't want a TV there any more? You take the TV down, now you have a power outlet halfway up your wall.

2. You can run the cord and plug it into your existing conditioner/surge protector, and don't need to buy 1 specifically for the TV. *shrug*

[Edh63]

It's nice you can tell my attitude from my typed post. I was simply giving my emotionless reply as a suggestion, just like everyone else. But you keep on calling me names, winner... I understand.

[Driver_King]

Hey! No fighting! Seriously, nobody needs to be arguing on the internet. Stop while you're ahead, please. Now, back to the OP's question!

[yyyiiikes]

I read one of the posts above mentioning the comment about HDMI cables with the "net Jacket". I am hoping that not net jacket cables are the same... I just received a set of "in wall CL2 cables with Net Jacket" from Monoprice.

Plan to install them this weekend - Hope the net jacket does not violate the in-wall rating.

[Ex Accountant]

Originally Posted by Edh63

It's nice you can tell my attitude from my typed post. I was simply giving my emotionless reply as a suggestion, just like everyone else. But you keep on calling me names, winner... I understand.

Please accept my apology for suggesting you have attitude. Perhaps you were just intentionally or unintentionally being unfriendly? And thanks for calling me a winner! At least someone appreciates me!!

Meanwhile, I think I'll look more into the extension cord idea. I would ask for a little more advice about it here, but I wouldn't want to have my head bitten off because I didn't do the research myself...Oh come on, I'm just kidding.