Wiring a TV cable in an apartment is an important step in connecting a TV. It provides not only a functional component, but also an aesthetic one.
A well-laid line provides a continuous clear signal, and a few simple methods will help to remove, mask, hide the wires so as not to spoil the overall picture of the situation. In addition, it is important to provide for all the components of the television backbone, thereby ensuring the connection of additional devices without a forced redesign.
Content
Cable laying rules and sequence of actions
The coaxial wire combines two functions - signal transmission from the receiver to the display device and protection from external electromagnetic radiation.To ensure the best possible signal quality, the antenna cabling must be properly implemented to maintain these characteristics.
First of all, you need to draw up a small length scheme with a minimum number of adapters and joints. Already at this stage, it is necessary to provide for a masking method, since not only the design, but also the necessary strength of the protective coating depends on this. In a private house, part of the conductor may be located on the street. Therefore, when choosing a suitable model, special attention should be paid to its density and the presence of a moisture-proof layer.
Coaxial cable laying in branched systems is carried out by means of plugs, adders, splitters, sockets, etc. The more of them, the stronger will be the attenuation of the signal. To eliminate this problem, you need to choose only high-quality products.
After planning the passage of the television cable in an apartment or private house, all the necessary equipment is purchased. Then proceed to the installation, which starts from connecting directly to the antenna, leading to all connection points, checking and decorating. The process requires adherence to several rules:
- it is not recommended to bend the wires and leave them where they can be easily damaged;
- the distance from electrical wiring must be at least 10 cm;
- in case of deformation of the outer shell, it is necessary to replace the damaged area or solder it with plastic, otherwise the protective screen will corrode and the signal will deteriorate;
- when laying in a gate with subsequent termination, it is necessary to place the conductor in a protective channel;
- if the cable length from the receiver to the decoder exceeds 40 m, you need to install a signal amplifier;
- to facilitate further maintenance, all wires must be described by attaching plastic tags to them.
How to independently lay a television cable in an apartment
To lay the cable for the TV in the apartment, you can use the services of professionals, but it is permissible to cope with the process on your own. The main thing in this matter is to try to install as few connecting elements as possible, keep the wire intact, and carry out all fastenings reliably.
Laying a television cable can be of three types:
- pass-through, in which the signal is transmitted sequentially from one outlet to another;
- "star" - the main conductor is brought into the apartment, and at a selected point a branch is made from it in all rooms;
- a mixed network that includes both types.
At the very beginning, a cable is laid from a collective antenna or a cable television trunk, which are located at the entrance and on each floor (often the splitter is hidden in a special cabinet). When installing the access point, one entrance, a connector for moving to the next floor and the number of exits corresponding to the number of apartments are provided. If the apartment has an individual antenna, the wire is connected to it through a plug.
After the cord is laid from the outside, the lines designed for all rooms should be laid. In this case, it may be necessary to extend the network, which is implemented as follows:
- through an adapter in the form of a barrel with two outlets, where F-shaped plugs are screwed;
- using a cable extension, which on one side is equipped with a socket for connecting a conductor, and on the other side with a thread for screwing in a plug from a receiver or socket;
- the twisting method, which is the cheapest and simplest, but unreliable, because the risk of contact between the central core and the shielded layer is too great, rupture at the slightest deformation and signal loss.
The wiring of the television cable begins and ends with the installation of the F-plug. This part fully meets all requirements. The product is available in straight and angle versions and is suitable for all signal types. To install, follow these steps:
- cut the cable so that the end is flat and perpendicular;
- expose the central core by pulling the sheath and cutting off the metal braid, to exclude the possibility of contact between the core and the screen;
- put on the bare element and screw the plug so that the rod appears from the reverse side by no more than 1 mm, and the cord body fits snugly into the connector sleeve.
Masking the TV cable in the apartment
After the preliminary laying of the TV cable around the apartment has been completed, you need to decide where you can hide the structure so that it does not spoil the appearance of the walls and floor. A reliable and high-quality way is to make a strobe in the wall at the finishing stage and get a flat surface. But sometimes this is not possible, and the wallpaper is already pasted or the housing is rented.
You can choose one of the best ideas on how to hide the wires from the TV: it is recommended to cover the cable on the floor with a plinth specially designed for this purpose; competent decoration, a box or a plastic channel will help to hide the wires.
Removing into the wall
From the functional and aesthetic side, it is best to implement the method when the cables are pulled even at the repair stage - you can stretch and drown them in a recess in the wall - in a strobe. Then level the surface and carry out the finish. This process requires time, effort and a preliminary scheme for installing equipment.
To work, you will need a drill or a puncher (if the walls are concrete), a grinder, a painting tool, gypsum putty or putty. First, longitudinal recesses are cut along the length of the conductor. Then a section of the wall between them is hollowed out of such a depth that all the cords fit there. There must be room for a high-quality and reliable seal. All necessary branchings and connectors are installed, fixing is carried out with clamps and self-tapping screws. Only after checking the operability of the line of the hole are smeared.
Even if the finishing work is completed and the question arose of how to hide the wires from the TV on the wall, this method is applicable, but it will require more scrupulousness, because at the final stage it will be necessary to restore the original appearance of the wall - to recreate the structure or glue a strip of wallpaper cut precisely by drawing. If you take the work responsibly, the surface will look as beautiful as before the intervention.
cable channel
The easiest way to hide coaxial wiring is a cable channel.It is easy to hang a plastic or metal fixture: hang the TV on the wall, connect the antenna cord to it, screw the channel base with self-tapping screws, insert all the wires inside the second part of the structure and fix it by snapping the groove lock.
Special furniture
When laying a line to the TV for short distances, it is recommended to use pieces of furniture that will hide it with their body. It can be a wall, a long pedestal, special mobile furniture, assembled as a designer. The main thing is to correctly position the interior elements so that the wires are not visible.
decoration
If you do not have the opportunity and skills to use radical methods, it is recommended to use your imagination. The decorating method opens up endless possibilities: we hide wires on the wall under original curtains and driftwood, we cover them with ornate figurines or houseplants, we lay them under carpets, etc.
This method will help to hide not only the coaxial cable, but also the network cable, which most often just hangs from the TV to the outlet.
Decorative boxes
It is often necessary to hide the wires when they are already stretched across the ceiling or floor. Decorative boxes that work by analogy with cable channels are able to help. This method is easy to implement and allows you to choose a suitable model of a decorative product from a large number of products on the market that differ in color, texture and size.
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