Many people are confused about where they should have their power outlet for a wall-mounted TV.
Most people just use nearby outlets but they can cause issues such as dangling wires which not only look ugly but can also be unsafe.
Quick summary
In this post, we will discuss what the best location for an electrical outlet is for a wall-mounted TV.
We will also provide step-by-step instructions on how you can install a new outlet for your television by utilizing power from an existing outlet.
So without further ado, let’s get started.
The Best Location for an Electrical Outlet for a Wall-Mounted TV
Obviously, an ideal location for an electrical outlet would be a spot where the power cord can be hidden behind the TV.
Hence, of course, the outlet needs to be behind the wall-mounted TV.
However, where exactly behind the wall-mounted TV should it be?
Many people think that installing an outlet right at the center of the TV is a good idea but that’s actually the worst position you can have. This is because an outlet right in the center will get in the way of most TV mounts.
The best location for an electrical outlet is 1 – 2 inches below the top edge of the TV.
At this location, all the electrical wiring will be hidden behind the TV and the TV mount won’t get in the way of the electrical outlet either.
But what if you don’t have an electrical outlet at that specific spot?
Well, you can always just do some DIY work and install one…
How to Install an Electrical Outlet Using an Existing Outlet?
(Step-by-Step Guide)
We won’t go over the specifics of how to wall mount your TV in this post since that’s not what this post is about.
For this instructional section, we will discuss how you can install another electrical outlet in your wall and utilize the power from an existing outlet to power your television.
Please note that these instructions apply only if you have Drywall with wooden studs.
We’ve provided instructions for this type of wall in this post because it’s the most common type of wall that is found in most homes in the US.
Tools and Supplies Needed
Before you start the installation, it’s a good idea to buy and gather all of the tools and supplies first.
The tools and supplies you will need for this job are not something that you’ll typically find lying around your house. You’ll have to go buy them.
Hence, we highly recommend that you buy and gather everything first before you start the installation as that will be much more efficient.
The tools and supplies you will need to install a new electrical outlet are:
- An in-wall power extender
- A fish tape puller
- A Drywall saw
- A pencil or a marker
- Tape
- A screwdriver
- Assorted bolts and screws (provided with the power extender)
Once everything has been gathered, you can begin the installation process.
The Installation Process
Before you start installing the new outlet, we recommend that you dismount your TV from its mount so that the process is much easier.
You don’t want the TV getting in the way when you’re trying to install the outlet.
To install a new electrical outlet behind your TV, follow these steps:
Step 1: Observe the components of the in-wall power extender that you bought.
An in-wall power extender has 2 receptacles that connect to each other behind the wall.
The lower receptacle plugs into an existing outlet and uses its electrical power to power the upper receptacle.
The upper receptacle will then be used to power your television. It’s important that you become acquainted with how the power extender works so that you’ll have an easier time installing it.
Step 2: Trace 2 outlines for the 2 receptacles on your wall.
The upper receptacle will be at the spot we discussed above (1 – 2 inches below from the top edge of your TV) and the lower receptacle will be right below it and near an existing outlet.
Please note that the lower receptacle must be at least 6 inches off the ground. Also, ensure that the two receptacles are between the same studs inside your wall.
This makes the wiring process a whole lot easier.
Step 3: Use a Drywall saw to cut out the 2 rectangles at the outlines you made for the 2 receptacles.
Push the saw slowly into the wall until it breaks into the other side. Use a stable and straight sawing motion to slice through the wall and make the two rectangles.
Step 4: Use the fish tape puller to fish all the cables you need for the TV through the wall. These could be A/V cords, HDMI cables, etc.
This can easily be done by pushing the puller through the upper receptacle and pulling it out from the lower one.
Once you’ve pulled the fish tape out of the lower receptacle, tape all of the relevant cables to it and then pull it back up through the upper receptacle’s hole.
Make sure to fish the power connector for the 2 receptacles through the wall as well.
The wires have now been successfully inserted into your wall.
Important note: You can’t have the power cord running through the wall as this is against safety regulations.
All other wires can be fished through the wall though
Step 5: Once all the wires have been fished through the wall, the next step is to connect the power connector between the two receptacles.
To start off, you must locate the power connector present at the back of the upper receptacle.
Once you locate it, push it together with the power connector that you fished from the lower receptacle in the last step.
Once they are properly secured with each other, electricity can run between the two receptacles.
Step 6: Before you permanently screw in the 2 receptacles into the wall, you need to fish the wires through them.
This can easily be done by looking for holes in the 2 receptacles that have plastic and/or rubber guards on them.
These holes are meant for your wires. Push the ends of these wires through the holes of both receptacles until you get an ample length of all wires sticking out of them.
Please note that you should do this before you permanently screw both receptacles into the wall.
Step 7: Use your screwdriver to screw in both receptacles into the Drywall.
Use a drill to make holes in the wall for the screws first. The holes should be slightly smaller than the length of the screws for them to fit adequately.
Once you screw the 2 receptacles in, your job is almost done.
Step 8: Use an existing power outlet to power the lower receptacle by using electrical wiring.
A simple power connector cable will do the job and once that’s done, the existing power outlet will now be able to provide power to the lower receptacle.
Since the lower receptacle is connected to the upper receptacle, the upper receptacle will have power as well.
Step 9: Mount your TV again and connect its power cable to the upper receptacle.
You can use zip ties or something similar to wrap up the extra wire and tape it to the back of your TV in order to hide it.
If you’re lucky, your TV may have some sort of little hook or hinge that you can use to hang the extra wire in order to hide it.
Wrapping Things Up…
We hope you have a better understanding of where you should have your electrical outlet behind a wall-mounted TV now.
Just keep in mind that the electrical outlet needs to be in a location where it is easily accessible but it’s also hidden enough that it can hide your power cable.
If you have any questions about the process, please let us know in the comments below.
Adam F.
A/V and Home Theater Expert that focuses on providing clear as well as concise reviews for anything and everything Audio Visual. From TV's, TV Mounts, Soundbars, and Wiring, my focus is to provide expertise in everything Audio Visual focused.
