Your Guide to Installing New Cable TV Lines At Your Home

It is not uncommon for a home owner to want to install new cable TV lines. This is very common when moving the location of a TV or adding a new line in a room that does not currently have a cable TV outlet. If you are moving a TV to another part of the room then extending the current line is very simple. But if you are adding a new line to a room then this will entail installing new cable and creating a new outlet. Both scenarios are very easy to perform if you understand the basics, and have the right tools to do the job. Some home owners may opt to hire an installer or pay the cable TV company to come out and install the new line. But if you want to save some money you can really do the work on your own at the fraction of the cost. 

Wire Types Used For Cable TV Signals:

RG6 coaxial cable is the most common wire type used in the home or business to deliver cable TV or satellite TV signals to television sets. It is the wire type that is ran through your ceilings and walls to the outlet where you plug your TV into. RG6 coaxial cable is used because of its high band width capability for handling video. RG6 is a strong durable long lasting cable, which makes it easy to install and simple to terminate. The RG6 that is ran to each TV location is then terminated with an F type connector and screwed into a pass through F type post insert that is used to create the outlet you see on the wall. From there you can screw on a shorted piece of RG6 that also has F connectors on both ends to both your TV and the wall outlet. 

Extending an Existing Cable TV Line: 

If you are extending an existing cable TV line that is already in place you can simply use a longer pre-terminated coaxial cable to come off of the wall outlet to your TV. Extension cables can be purchased in multiple lengths, and they will come with F connectors on both ends. So extending your line is really just a plug and play installation.

Installing New Cable TV Lines:

If you want to install and new cable TV line in an area where there is no outlet than you will have to run new RG6 coax and create a new outlet. You will want to run the cable and install the new outlet directly in the area where you plan on placing your TV. For new lines you will need to purchase some raw RG6 cable, which is usually sold in 500 or 1000ft boxes. You will also need some F connectors to install on the ends of the RG6 cable, a terminate tool for installing the F connectors, and a coaxial cable stripper to prepare the cable to be terminated.

The new line can come from any area in the home where you already have a cable TV outlet installed. You can buy a 1x2 cable TV splitter and install it in the wall at the closes location to where your new line will be ran. Once you split your signal you can run the new RG6 coaxial cable in the wall and ceilings to your new location. If there is not an outlet in place then you will have to use a drywall saw and a low voltage mounting bracket to create a new location. You will also need a keystone wall plate and an F type insert to install over newly created hole. The final step is to attach your new line to the F insert in the plate and install the plate using the included screws to the low voltage mounting bracket. Now you have an outlet in place and you have a new line sending your cable TV signal to your new location. So all you have to do is plug your TV directly to the new wall outlet and you now have signal.

Conclusion:

Installing a new cable TV line is inexpensive, fast, and easy! You really only need a few tools and parts, and the rest is just running cables. The key is to evaluate your current signal location and plan how you will get the new line to your new desired location. As a home owner you have options. You can pay the cable company to come out and run a line, or you can save money and do it on your own. If you are the do-it-yourselfer type you may decide to make the investment in the tools you need and perform the work on your own. Having the tools and connectors to repair or install new cable TV lines may come in handy more times than not in the future.  Once you invest in the right tools you can do anything.  From installing hosted IP Phones, CCTV cameras, access control, security systems, and A/V systems.