Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation 1 Aug 04, 2011 9:03 am Hi all, We're in Victoria, and have been told that we CAN run power cables from, for example, the plasma through the walls using the same bullnose cable plates as the HDMI, Ethernet cables. When our cable guy installed the tv and cables, he told us ( probably correctly ) that we had to move the power point as you are NOT allowed to simply run the power cable through the same holes. Hope that's clear?? Which guy is right?? Many thanks for the advice Re: Running power cables through walls ??? 3Aug 05, 2011 11:14 am The key question - who told you you could run it through the wall, and on what was he/she basing that advice? The 'cable guy' is presumably a licensed electrician with a cabling certificate? Re: Running power cables through walls ??? 4Aug 05, 2011 3:01 pm Interesting topics, one I could never find a definate answer too looking through standards. I went on the side of caution and had a normal power point installed behind the Telly. One of the confusing things is that it quite alright to have standard cord/power point arrangment for central heaters / evap coolers fully in the roof, or ventilation fans in bathrooms. Look in the display homes for builders you will notice power points in the wall cavity behind the tvs. Also really common for power points to be installed in the roof above projectors. Great if someone could provide a reference to the standard that covers these issues. Re: Running power cables through walls ??? 5Aug 05, 2011 5:37 pm Thanks for the help all, the original advice was from the foxtel guy who seemed quite suprised that we had not routed the power cord through with the HDMI ... that's why I was a little bit dubious..The cable installer was licensed and told us that we had to move the points. Common sense tells you to be more careful with live power leads, just hoping for a shortcut. I guess we will have to phone the sparkie and fork out to move 3 points. Running power cables through walls ??? 6Aug 06, 2011 7:21 am Sierra Great if someone could provide a reference to the standard that covers these issues. There are a couple of applicable standards - AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Installation wiring rules and AS/ASCIF S009 - the telecommunications wiring rules. Both of these standards specify that data/communications and low voltage power (240 volt is low voltage) must be separated by 50mm or a barrier. For example, running the low voltage cable in the other side of a stud to the communications cable is ok because the stud is a barrier. You could also run the power and comms in separate conduits next to each other and be in compliance. These rules only apply to concealed cables. Outside the wall behind the tv or stereo unit there is no regulatory requirement for separation. Paul Re: Running power cables through walls ??? 7Aug 08, 2011 7:08 pm paulw11 Sierra Great if someone could provide a reference to the standard that covers these issues. There are a couple of applicable standards - AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Installation wiring rules and AS/ASCIF S009 - the telecommunications wiring rules. Both of these standards specify that data/communications and low voltage power (240 volt is low voltage) must be separated by 50mm or a barrier. For example, running the low voltage cable in the other side of a stud to the communications cable is ok because the stud is a barrier. You could also run the power and comms in separate conduits next to each other and be in compliance. These rules only apply to concealed cables. Outside the wall behind the tv or stereo unit there is no regulatory requirement for separation. Paul True, but home entertainment wiring does not fall under ACMA requirements like telephone or network cabling does. The original post said something about Ethernet also, this could be moved away with no issues to ensure adequate separation. After looking in AS3000 again I still cant find anything which states you cannot run a short pre-made "flexible cable" through the wall as described and connect to one appliance. I would get in touch with Energy Safe Victoria initially and ask for some advice on the legislation (or where you can go for it) and get the advice in writing if you can for any future problems. Maybe also ask some HT installers? No point wasting hundreds of $$$ on power points you may not need. Australia is very heavily legislated on what you can and (mostly) cannot do. No point enforcing made up rules to tie our hands even more when they are not required. Re: Running power cables through walls ??? 8Aug 08, 2011 10:10 pm Hi, I also doubt that there will be a problem with routing a power cable through the wall behind the TV - The intention of the separation rules is to prevent physical damage to the cables (say a screw driven into a wall and piercing the cables) resulting in a 240V circuit being connected to a lower voltage circuit. This is unlikely to happen once the TV is in place, however luckygrizzly asked what the applicable standards were, and these are AS/ACIF S009 (As Ethernet was mentioned) and AS/NZS 3000 because low voltage power is involved. It seems that AS/NZS 3000 section 3.9.8.3 would apply. Although AV circuits such as HDMI etc aren't specifically mentioned they would be classed as ELV or SELV. According to 3.9.8.3 (a) - As long as your low voltage (ie 240V) cable is double insulated then you are OK to run these circuits together. As you note, the presence of Ethernet complicates matters because it cannot be run with the 240V without enclosing one or both in conduit or running either side of the stud. Paul 2 6192 Hi all I am looking to run a water line under my concrete footpath which is directly next to my home, was seeing if this is possible without cutting the entire section… 0 20182 yep sounds good make the footing bigger to to allow for the pipe in the middle 3 7320 |