Hide TV Cables in Solid Wall (Chased Conduit)
To conceal TV cables in a solid wall, plan a dedicated, accessible raceway for listed in-wall low-voltage cables, and keep it separate from power wiring. Check the wall and hidden services before cutting. There is no universal safe chase depth or conduit size. Never bury a TV power cord or extension cord; use an approved wiring method for concealed power.
Could you enjoy a clean wall around your TV without trading a neat finish for hidden hazards? A chased conduit can do that, but the reliable result starts with the route, cable, and wall, not the plaster repair. I treat the chase as a planned pathway, not a groove to cut wherever it looks convenient.
Plan the Route and Confirm Wall Construction
A chase is a narrow channel cut into a wall to hold a conduit or raceway. Before cutting, identify the wall material, its role, and the route’s end points. The right plan protects the building, keeps cables replaceable, and avoids conflicts with hidden services or power wiring.
Start by confirming whether the wall is solid masonry, concrete, or a framed wall with a plaster finish. Also check whether it is load-bearing or part of a fire- or smoke-rated assembly. If you cannot confirm what lies behind the surface, pause and investigate before making a cut.
Mark the TV location and the intended lower termination point. Then plan where the cable will enter and leave the raceway. Both ends should remain accessible after the wall is finished, so cables can be checked or replaced without reopening the chase.
Before cutting, locate hidden wiring, pipes, and other services using suitable methods. A detector can help, but it does not prove that a route is clear. If the wall’s construction, remaining thickness, or structural role is uncertain, get a qualified professional to assess it. Ask the local building authority whether a permit or inspection is required.
There is no universal code depth for a masonry chase. Do not choose a depth by guesswork or copy a measurement from a different wall. The acceptable cut depends on the wall and local rules. Confirm the route and proposed cut before work begins.
Check Raceway Access, Cable Bend Radius, and Power Separation
A raceway is a channel or conduit that protects and guides cables. Size it for the cables, their bend limits, and the fittings at each end. Keep communications wiring separate from power conductors unless a specific code provision allows another arrangement and its conditions are met.
Choose a dedicated raceway for low-voltage TV and communications cables. Do not put them in the same raceway as branch-circuit power conductors. Under NEC 800.133(A)(2), communications cables generally need 2 inches of separation from electric-light or power conductors when routed in parallel, unless a stated exception applies. Confirm the locally adopted code and any applicable exception rather than assuming one.
Check the cable jacket for markings and a listing suitable for the intended in-wall use and installation environment. The correct class or rating depends on the installation and the locally adopted NEC. Follow the cable maker’s instructions as well. A standard TV power cord is not a substitute for listed in-wall wiring.
Measure the actual cable diameter and check its minimum bend radius, meaning the tightest curve the manufacturer allows without risking damage. Consider the raceway’s inside dimensions, fittings, boxes, and the number of cables. NEC Chapter 9, Table 1 sets a general maximum of 40% fill when more than two conductors or cables are installed; use the applicable table and the actual cable dimensions to check the proposed fill.
| Design check | What to confirm | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Raceway size | Actual inside area and cable dimensions | Keeps fill within the applicable limit |
| Bends | Cable maker’s minimum bend radius | Helps prevent damage and difficult pulls |
| Access | Open, usable entry and exit points | Allows inspection and future cable changes |
| Power route | Separate raceway and required spacing | Avoids an unsafe or noncompliant shared path |
Chase depth and conduit diameter are not universal values set for every TV installation. Select them only after checking the cable, raceway, terminations, wall material, and code. If a route crosses wood framing, NEC 300.4(A)(1) generally requires wiring to be at least 1¼ inches from the nearest wood-member edge, or protected by a steel plate at least 1/16 inch thick. That is a framing rule, not a masonry-chase depth.
Chase the Wall and Install the Dedicated Raceway
A proper installation cuts only the planned route and fits a raceway that protects cables from sharp edges and crushing. The work must suit the wall material and preserve any required structural or fire-rated features. Where the wall’s limits are unclear, get an assessment before cutting.
Once the route is approved and marked, use a method suited to the wall material and control dust. Do not make a deep or continuous horizontal cut in masonry based on a guessed “safe” depth. There is no universal allowable chase depth. Structural limits depend on the wall’s construction and local requirements.
Fit the raceway and boxes so that the cable path is smooth and the ends remain accessible. Avoid sharp edges, tight turns, and pinched sections. Check that the planned cable can pass through all bends and fittings before closing the wall. If the raceway maker specifies installation limits, follow them.
Keep the low-voltage raceway separate from power wiring. Do not use a low-voltage conduit as permission to hide a power cord inside the wall. If concealed power is needed at the TV, the wiring method and receptacle must be approved for the location and installed under local rules. Hire an electrician when the work requires new power wiring or you are unsure what is permitted.
If the wall is part of a rated assembly, restore it with materials and methods approved for that assembly. Do not assume ordinary patch compound restores a fire or smoke rating. Check local requirements and the product instructions before closing the chase.
Pull Cables, Restore the Finish, and Verify the Installation
Pulling means feeding the cable through the completed raceway without exceeding its bend or tension limits. Before patching, confirm that the path is clear, the cable is suitable for in-wall use, and both ends remain accessible. Then finish the wall and test the connections.
Feed the cable carefully. Do not yank it, force it around a bend, or pull it over a sharp edge. If it catches, stop and find the cause rather than increasing force. Excess tension or a tight bend can harm a cable even if the jacket looks intact.
Keep enough cable at each end for a proper termination, but do not leave excess hidden in a packed box or raceway. Follow the cable and device makers’ instructions for termination and handling. Label both ends if more than one cable is installed.
Before patching, verify that the cable reaches both ends and that the raceway has not shifted or been crushed. Test the connection with the intended equipment or a suitable cable tester. After the finish is dry, test again. Keep boxes and terminations accessible; do not seal them behind plaster.
For power, use a compliant installation separate from the low-voltage path. Never bury an extension cord, TV power cord, or ordinary plug-in power strip. A low-voltage raceway does not make an unlisted power cord safe for concealment. Have receptacle or circuit work done and inspected as required locally.
Field Examples and Route Decisions
These examples describe common installation situations, not a promise that one method suits every home. The key variables are wall construction, hidden services, cable ratings, and access. I use these checks to decide whether a chase is appropriate or whether a surface route is safer.
A typical planning issue is a wall-mounted TV with a low-voltage cable route to equipment below. The cleanest route on paper may not be safe to cut if pipes, wiring, or structural limits are unknown. In that case, I would confirm the route first and revise it if needed, rather than cut and hope.
Another common issue is a request to hide both signal cables and the TV’s power cord in one channel. Those are different wiring needs. I would plan a dedicated low-voltage raceway and address power through an approved, separate wiring method and receptacle. If the wall cannot support the proposed chase, a surface raceway may be the better option.
| Situation | Safer next step |
|---|---|
| Wall type or structure is unclear | Pause and get the wall assessed |
| Hidden services may cross the route | Investigate before cutting; change the route if needed |
| TV power cord is part of the plan | Do not bury it; arrange compliant power wiring |
| Cable will not pass a bend smoothly | Recheck bend radius, fittings, and raceway size |
| Wall is rated or structural | Confirm approved repair and cutting requirements |
Conclusion and FAQ
A clean result depends on a safe route, a dedicated raceway, suitable in-wall cable, and accessible ends. Confirm local code, permits, and inspection rules before work. If you cannot verify the wall or power plan, stop and consult the authority having jurisdiction or a qualified installer.
Can I hide a TV power cord in a chased conduit?
No. Do not conceal a TV power cord, extension cord, or ordinary power strip in the wall. Concealed power requires an approved wiring method. Have new receptacle or circuit work installed and inspected as local rules require.
Can low-voltage cables share conduit with power wires?
Do not assume they can. Use a separate raceway. NEC rules generally require 2 inches of separation for communications and power wiring run in parallel, unless a specific code exception applies.
What conduit size should I use?
There is no single size for every installation. Check the cable’s actual dimensions, the raceway’s inside area, bend radius, fittings, and applicable fill limits. Follow the raceway and cable instructions.
How deep should the chase be?
There is no universal code-prescribed chase depth for solid walls. The safe cut depends on wall construction and local requirements. Confirm the wall’s structure before cutting.
How many cables can go in the raceway?
It depends on cable size and raceway dimensions. NEC Chapter 9, Table 1 generally limits fill to 40% when more than two conductors or cables are installed. Use the applicable table and actual cable dimensions.
What cable rating do I need?
Use cable listed or marked for its intended in-wall use and environment. The required class depends on the installation and locally adopted code. Check the cable label and manufacturer’s instructions.
Do I need a permit to chase a wall?
Permit and inspection rules vary by location and work type. Ask the local building authority before cutting, especially if the work affects structure, rated construction, or electrical wiring.
Can I make a horizontal chase in masonry?
Do not cut a deep or continuous horizontal chase based on a guessed safe depth. Structural limits vary with the wall. Get an assessment if the wall’s role or remaining thickness is uncertain.
How do I protect a cable where it crosses wood framing?
NEC 300.4(A)(1) generally requires wiring to stay at least 1¼ inches from the nearest wood-member edge, or to be protected with a steel plate at least 1/16 inch thick. Check the locally adopted code and installation details.
Should I patch the chase before testing the cable?
No. First confirm the cable pulls freely, the raceway is intact, and both ends work. Patch only after these checks, then test again when the finish is complete.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Michael Holloway. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
