How do you get coaxial cable through a wall?

Running coaxial cable through walls allows you to hide unsightly wires and provide connections where you need them. While it may seem daunting, fishing cable through walls is doable as a DIY project. With some planning and the right tools, you can get coaxial cable to where you need it in your home.

What is Coaxial Cable?

Coaxial cable, or coax, is a heavy, durable cable used to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals. It is made up of an inner conductor, a plastic dielectric insulator, a braided metal shield, and a plastic jacket. Coax is commonly used to provide cable TV, satellite TV, and internet connections.

The key benefits of coaxial cable include:

• Immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI)
• Capability to transmit RF signals over long distances with minimal signal loss
• High bandwidth potential

Standard coax cable types are RG-6 or RG-59. RG-6 is a thicker, higher quality cable best for long cable runs. RG-59 is thinner and more flexible but has higher signal loss over distance.

Planning Your Coax Cable Run

Proper planning ensures your coax installation goes smoothly and the cable connections are in the right spot. Keep the following in mind when planning:

• Decide on cable routes through walls/ceilings to get from your cable source to connections
• Choose interior wall locations for cable outlets and connections
• Purchase the correct RG rating and length of coax cable for your run
• Have necessary coax wall plates, connectors, tools on hand

Make sure to:

• Keep cable runs as short and straight as possible
• Avoid running cable close to potential sources of EMI like motors, flourescent lights
• Follow proper bend radius of at least 6-8 inches when turning cable corners

Plan where your coax will enter/exit walls and use wall plates or low voltage brackets to protect cables. Now let’s look at options for getting coax through walls.

Running Cable Through Wall Cavities

For new construction or open wall interiors, the easiest way to run coax is through hollow wall cavities:

1. Locate top and bottom wall plates where you want coax to pass through.
2. Drill a small hole through each plate just big enough for the coax cable.
3. Feed cable through holes going between floors.
4. Pull several feet of extra cable to allow for connections.
5. Use wall plates to protect cable exits.

This takes advantage of open cavities to drop cable down walls. For closed up walls, you’ll need to try fishing techniques next.

Fishing Cable Through Finished Walls

With finished walls, you’ll need to “fish” cables hidden within the wall cavity. This involves:

1. Cut a small hole where you want the coax to exit. Use a drywall saw or drill holes and cut out with a drywall knife. Make holes just big enough for coax and wall plate.
2. Drill an access hole between wall studs above or below exit hole.
3. Feed fish tape through access hole and out exit hole.
4. Attach coax to end of fish tape using electrical tape.
5. Carefully pull coax through wall cavity until several feet exit.
6. Install wall plate at exit hole and connect coax.

An electrician’s fish tape is a stiff flexible metal strip that can push through cavities. Use it to pull cables between access and exit holes. Follow code fill rate limits of 40% maximum when running multiple cables.

Fishing Tips

• Always try to keep cable runs straight rather than diagonal between holes.
• Lubricating cables with wire pulling gel helps them slide through cavities.
• Glow rods are fiberglass rods that glow from light shone on one end. Use to visually see the path between holes.
• A borescope camera can also verify the path between holes.

Proper fishing techniques will save effort and minimize risk of cables getting stuck. Use a cable fishing rod kit for best results.

Running Coax Externally on Wall Surface

If fishing inside walls won’t work, surface mounted coax raceways or conduits can conceal cables externally:

• Raceways are plastic channels with snap-on covers that adhere to walls.
• Conduits are tubing made of thin wall EMT metal or PVC that mount to surfaces.
• Install raceways/conduits keeping proper bend radius for coax.
• Pull cables through then snap on covers to conceal and protect.

Surface raceways are the easiest way to hide cables without extensive fishing inside walls. Just route cables inside then snap cover in place.

Going Through Wall Studs

Cables may also need to pass horizontally through wall studs or vertical framing. Options include:

• Notching studs – Carefully cut rectangular notches in studs just large enough for coax. Maintain at least 1 1/2″ wood on top and sides.
• Boring through studs – Use a power drill to bore clean holes slightly larger than cable diameter.
• Cable grommets – Protect cable with plastic grommets pushed into notches or bored holes.

When passing through wood framing, avoid damage by using tidy notches, bored holes, and grommets to protect cables.

Going Through Masonry and Concrete

Cables can also pass through concrete or masonry walls and foundations using these techniques:

• Core drill clean holes through concrete to thread cable through.
• Chisel out notches through brick/stone just large enough for coax.
• Use a masonry bit to drill angled holes into mortar joints between bricks.
• Protect cables from abrasion using grommets or conduit sleeves.

Holes should be slightly larger than cable diameters to allow room. Use care when drilling or chiseling to avoid cracking masonry.

Fireblocking

Fireblocking is an important safety step anytime cables penetrate framed walls. It seals openings that would allow fire to spread between floors.

To properly fireblock openings:

• Inject silicone caulk, putty, or foam into spaces around cables.
• Pack openings tightly with unfaced fiberglass insulation.
• Use specially made intumescent firestop grommets that expand when heated.

Check local building codes for exact fireblocking requirements. Proper sealing protects cabling and contains fires.

Connecting and Testing Coax

After running cable through walls, you’ll need to connect devices and test signals:

1. Attach coax connectors to cable ends if not already installed.
2. Connect wall plates and outlets to coax lines.
3. Connect devices like TVs, modems, routers to outlets.
4. Check for good cable TV picture and internet speeds.
5. Use a coax toner/probe to trace and verify cable runs.

Always use proper compression or crimp connectors and compatible wall plates. Test connectivity before patching drywall if needed.

Conclusion

While the process involves some work, you can definitely run coaxial cable through walls on your own. Following basic steps for planning, fishing, connecting, and testing will allow you to install coax where you need it. Using the proper techniques will result in a reliable hidden cable network in walls and ceilings.