Cable TV Project

janeybug.refurber.com

When we started running wires for this house we tried to imagine every possible place where we might want TV.  We also had to anticipate how many cables we were going to need over the years when new services become available.

Some how all these cables need to find homes in this control panel.  Only four got labeled during installation so it will be a surprise as to what cables go where.

Since we moved in we have been tripping over cables running all through the house.  Today I decided to do something about them.  The first step would be to wire up the main control center in the closet behind the home theater.

We bought this Leviton control panel from home depot.  There are all sorts of modules that fit inside for CATV, phones, computers and such.

I started by installing the cable modules and connecting up the main cable in to them.

I used CATV took kit that had everything I needed to put the ends on the cable.

First you use the wire cutters to make the cable the length that you need.

Then you use the stripper tool to take the casing and shield braid off to 1/4"

The strippers do the measuring for you.

After the first strip it looks like this.

Then you put the cable in the first slot to take off the shield 1/4".

There is a braided wire there that you fold back on the cable.

Then you push the connector on and use the crimpers to tighten it.

Here is the panel completely wired up.

I have labeled the ones that I know. 

All in all it was really easy to do.  It took about three cables to really get the hang of it and it took about an hour and a half to wire up 9 cables for the panels and 9 outlets in the rooms. 

The final step is to connect the cable in to the underground cable.

I connected this splitter to the outside of the house and hooked in the last wire. Success! We now have cable TV in every room.

This kit came in really handy.  The tools were sharp and took very little effort to use.

The next step will be to add the phone to that panel but that's another day. 

Comments

[Trissa]

Looks great- what a productive day!

[d]

It is great to see work happening that doesn't involve me. Ah to have cable TV in every room. Sheer luxury. Makes me want to watch a movie when I get home.