A wall-mounted TV with cables hanging down defeats the purpose. Hiding them is easy to do well and easy to do dangerously. The most common shortcut, pushing the TV's power cord through the wall, isn't allowed by the electrical code.
THE RULE MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW
Ordinary power cords and extension cords aren't rated to run inside walls. They aren't designed for the heat buildup and lack of protection in a wall cavity, and they're not permitted there under the National Electrical Code. There are two safe ways to get power to a mounted TV:
- In-wall power kit: a recessed inlet behind the TV connected by in-wall rated cable to a plug-in inlet near the floor. No new circuit needed.
- New outlet behind the TV: a recessed outlet wired from an existing circuit by an electrician.
LOW-VOLTAGE CABLES
HDMI, ethernet, speaker and coax can run inside the wall, but the cables should carry an in-wall rating (look for CL2 or CL3 on the jacket). Most cheap HDMI cables aren't rated. Run them through a recessed media plate behind the TV and another at the console.
Long HDMI runs over about 25 feet may need an active or fiber cable to work reliably with 4K.
WHEN THE WALL WON'T COOPERATE
| Situation | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Fire block (horizontal board) in the stud bay | Drill through it or use a surface raceway on the lower section |
| Brick, stone or concrete wall | Paintable raceway, or route down an adjacent framed wall |
| Exterior wall with insulation | Possible, but slower; avoid compressing insulation |
| Renters | Paintable surface raceway, which leaves only screw holes |
A well-installed raceway, painted the wall color, is barely noticeable from the couch.
WHAT IT COSTS
| Job | Typical DMV Cost |
|---|---|
| In-wall power kit and cable concealment (drywall) | $150 – $300 added to mounting |
| Paintable surface raceway | $75 – $150 |
| New recessed outlet by electrician | $200 – $400 |
Plan the soundbar now. A soundbar mounted under the TV needs its own cable path, and adding it later means opening the wall again.
More in our TV mounting guide.
RELATED READING
TV MOUNTING IN THE DMV: COST, OPTIONS & WHAT TO KNOW
What TV mounting costs, the honest take on above-fireplace placement, in-wall wiring options, and what to decide before we show up.
MOUNTING A TV ABOVE A FIREPLACE
Heat, height, pull-down mounts and hiding the wires: what to check before you mount.
MOUNTING A TV ON BRICK, PLASTER OR NO STUDS
The right anchors for every wall type, the ones that fail, and mounting costs.
Planning a project? See our TV Mounting service page for scope, process and recent work.
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