Running cat5/6 in wall help?

[de8212]

Trying to help someone out here. They already have a single coax in each of the rooms. they want to add cat5/6 to the same plate. I know there are leviton, etc. plates that have the blank hole for various connections. Are there any inserts or whatever they're called for coax?

If so, how is the coax cable connected inside? Do I need a special tool of some sort to disconnect it from the current one and connect it to a new one?

Any other advice on this is appreciated.

 

[bruceb]

Yes, they make ports for coax thru the wall plates. It typically has F connectors on both the inside and outside. What you want will look like this .. most stores that sell electrical and data products should have it.

 

[D.SKiLL]

Trying to help someone out here. They already have a single coax in each of the rooms. they want to add cat5/6 to the same plate. I know there are leviton, etc. plates that have the blank hole for various connections. Are there any inserts or whatever they're called for coax?

If so, how is the coax cable connected inside? Do I need a special tool of some sort to disconnect it from the current one and connect it to a new one?

Any other advice on this is appreciated.

the picture above is whats typically holding your coax in place you dont need any speacial tools to remove the keystone from one plate to another, or to remove the coax from that keystone, and install it to another one other than a pair of pliers. Lowes & Home depot carry retail versions of these types of connectors int he electrical section.

 

[de8212]

Thanks for that info, it really helps.

Now on to a new issue. I haven't made it out there yet to look at this but need some more help. I assume the coax line is run in the attic down through a hole in a "horizontal" 2x4 into a small hole in the top of one of those gang boxes. So, I have some fish tape and some cat5. Just kinda scratching my head on the best way to feed this cable. Either way, I am seeing an issue.

What's the best method for this?

 

[donfm]

On many installations in residential homes there is no back box used the communications wires and coax are simply run exposed behind the wall. The opening in the wall is simply a drywall ring nailed to a stud with no back box. Depends on local codes if this is allowed. Typically cables not in conduit inside walls should be plenum rated wired as well for fire codes.

I've fished many walls in my time. The best way I've found is to measure the horizontal center location of your box on the wall from a corner reference point or something you can see in the attic and transpose that to the attic horizontal wall header. Then drill a whole big enough in the header to allow some weight such as a large metal nut tied to a string to be dropped vertically down the wall. The weight will make sure the string falls down the wall and the string hangs vertically straight like a pendulum. Assuming this is not an insulated wall you should be able to go down and see the string or at least snag it with a piece of solid wire with a hook bent on the end. If you can't find the string bouncing the nut off the floor in the wall will give you an idea where you are at. Then just tie the wire to the string in the attic and pull it down through the drywall plate. If you try just pushing the wire in by itself it will most likely curl and ball up in the wall like a curly snake and you will have a heck of a time finding it.

If you do have a back box installed for the coax the process is much more difficult and sometimes impossible. You have to try and knock out or at least bend out of the way the hole closure slug in the box from inside the room and then stick the wire or fishtape up into the wall with a hook on the end and spin the tape then pull it out and see if you snagged the string. This is really hit or miss.

 

[imagoon]

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