[selowitch]

I want to replace an outlet with a coaxial faceplate for cable. I know I need to shut off the appropriate fuse/circuit breaker first (I usually keep a lamp plugged in that will shut off along with the cb or fuse to be sure). I then figure it's just a matter of removing the existing faceplate and the outlet itself, then threading through the cable and attaching it to the coaxial connection on the inside of the new faceplate. Finally. I'll screw in the new faceplate.

My question is, what do I do with the four lead wires that used to connect to the outlet? Do I need to cap those? Are there any other measures I need to take to ensure safety?

[RAILhead]

Your safest bet would be to use wire nut them individually, wrap electrical tap around each individually (to ensure the wire nuts don't slip off), then tape them all together.

Maury

[residentEvil]

Well, are you going to use that box as an A/C source again? If not, then find the junction that outlet was on and remove the wiring. If it is stappled/clipped in the wall and you can't, label at the junction and cut it back as far as you can on both ends. If it was a dedicated circuit, remove all the way back to the panel. If it isn't something to ever be used again, best to remove as much as you can and label/document what you did.

If you plan on using the box as A/C again, simply wire nut each end and tape as mentioned above.

[RAILhead]

And be sure you don't stick the wires in your mouth or anything.



Maury

[residentEvil]

An oh, if there is 4 wires, you 'might' have an issue. Do you have 2 black and 2 white (with no ground) or do you have Red, White, Black and Ground?

If it is older wiring, 2 black/2 white no ground, then that outlet is in the middle of a circuit. Something downstream from that won't work anymore if you simply single wire nut them. If you need the outlet/light further down to work, you will have to wire nut the two blacks together and the two whites together.

[SVass]

Originally Posted by residentEvil

An oh, if there is 4 wires, you 'might' have an issue. Do you have 2 black and 2 white (with no ground) or do you have Red, White, Black and Ground?

If it is older wiring, 2 black/2 white no ground, then that outlet is in the middle of a circuit. Something downstream from that won't work anymore if you simply single wire nut them. If you need the outlet/light further down to work, you will have to wire nut the two blacks together and the two whites together.

You are correct and additionally, the National Electric Code used to (and probably still does) forbid the termination of wires outside of boxes as it can lead to fires. Cable and power should not share a box, so the safest thing to do would be to remove the circuit breaker permanently!

A simpler solution is to run the cable thru a new hole in the wall and put a cable face plate on it. A box is not required as there is no power involved and no one will ever know. You can even buy white or cream colored cable to match the color. sam

[residentEvil]

I always remove when I can. And yes, I think the code says low voltage (enet, coax, TP, fiber, etc) can't share the same box as _live_ A/C. So if both ends have been cut back and capped, it shouldn't be a problem to have the old wire in there.

[RAILhead]

You beat me to the number of wires post -- I thought about that while out to lunch.

If you cap the cable properly, assuming you can't/don't want to completely remove it or make an additional hole in your wall, you don't have anything to worry about as far as starting a fire goes. Just don't let any inspector see what you did.

Maury

[selowitch]

OK, I'm satisfied with the specifics of the that procedure. I'm noticing, however, that replacing that outlet will leave me without a place to plug in my air conditioner except for a power strip, which I heard is a no-no. Any ideas?

[RAILhead]

Originally Posted by selowitch

OK, I'm satisfied with the specifics of the that procedure. I'm noticing, however, that replacing that outlet will leave me without a place to plug in my air conditioner except for a power strip, which I heard is a no-no. Any ideas?

If that's the case, just make a new drop and keep your outlet, adding a cable connection. Do you have access to the wall from the attic at that position?

Maury

[selowitch]

Originally Posted by RAILhead

If that's the case, just make a new drop and keep your outlet, adding a cable connection. Do you have access to the wall from the attic at that position?

Maury

How do I make a new drop? The connection to the cable is actually below me in a storage room, to which I do have fairly easy access. I don't suppose there are any assemblies where there's one power outlet and one coaxial input/output, are there?

I may just hire an electrician to do it, even though I know it's quite simple, in the spirit of not taking chances.

[residentEvil]

Yes, there is actually. Lowes and Home Depot sell it. It fits a single gang box and has the coax off to the side/outside of the box. You would need to drill a hole big enough to fit the cable through.

Or you could put a new box in, just for the cable (which i would do so you can add CAT5 or other wire in it too for the future)

What you want is a new box, for remodeling. Not new construction. They will be labled as such in the bins in the electrical isle. They have plastic tabs that fold out and tighten down against the back of the wall. Since you have access to underneith, simply locate the box where you want it (the hole) and then drill up from undernieth. Sounds like it is an outside wall, so you will probably have insulation in there. Use your pull tape and run that thru and out the hole you just cut, then run the wire. Now install the box. Put your face plate on and you are good to go.

[RAILhead]

Originally Posted by selowitch

How do I make a new drop? The connection to the cable is actually below me in a storage room, to which I do have fairly easy access. I don't suppose there are any assemblies where there's one power outlet and one coaxial input/output, are there?

I may just hire an electrician to do it, even though I know it's quite simple, in the spirit of not taking chances.

You'd get the cable guy, not the electrician.

If it's below, you'd need to see if you have access between the studs next to the outlet. Depending upon how the spacers were placed, you may be able to simply go through the storage room ceiling, up the wall between the studs, and out a yet to be made hole.

However, it sounds as though you may not have much experience with this sort of thing -- no offense, really -- so your best bet may be to call the cable guy and let him do it.

Maury

[SVass]

If you have molding against the wall at floor level, you can pull the molding out temporarily and drill down with a long drill bit. You don't need a box for a low voltage cable connection. You can NOT share a box between cable tv and electrical power! Stay away from power wires and your fire insurance will not be voided. sam

[stevesnj]

NEVER EVER put coax in the same box as 115v wiring. The electical interference will cause snowy picture and shadowing on your TV. always run coax, speaker, network, phone wires and other low voltage cables at least 2+ inches from any 115v supply runs. Mount a seperate box (inside the wall and on the oppisite side of the stud if possible) and run all your low voltage to that box. I would recommend buying a book at Home Depot on basic wiring techniques. This will allow you to see the proper tools to buy also. Hope this helps...

[selowitch]

Hmmm. Maybe I should just hire the cable guy or gal and have him/her do it. Maury's right: I really don't know what I'm doing. I have replaced two-prong outlets with three-prong outlets before, but that's the extent of my experience with electrical wiring.