Setting Up Cable TV

Looking to avoid the costs of hiring a professional for cable installation? If you've got some free time, you can take on the task yourself and save some cash. Depending on how many rooms you're connecting, you may only need to run cables through a few inches of wall. You can find all the necessary supplies for your DIY cable project at your local hardware and electrical supply store.

Get the right cable. RG6 is the industry standard for cable installation and works for both above- and below-ground setups. Be sure to buy about 10%-20% more cable than you think you'll need to account for any unexpected challenges.

Connecting the Coaxial Cable to the Drop Connect a coaxial cable to the distribution point, which can be either on the ground (known as a 'pedestal') or on an overhead utility cable near the installation site. Remember to obtain permission from the cable company before making any connections to the distribution point.

Routing the Coaxial Cable to the Entry Point of the House Route the cable to the location where it will enter the subscriber's home. There are two main methods to accomplish this:

1. Bury a 'flooded' coaxial cable from the distribution point to the entry point. Consider using PVC piping to protect the cable from accidental damage.
2. Install a special aerial cable with molded suspension wire from the distribution point on the overhead utility cable to the eaves of the subscriber's home. Secure the cable using a hook attached to the eaves.

Setting Up the Grounding Box Install a grounding spike near the entry point of the coaxial cable or locate a cold water pipe in the vicinity. Attach a 12-gauge grounding wire to the spike or cold water pipe, connecting the other end to a coaxial cable grounding block. This grounding setup ensures proper grounding of the coaxial shield and offers protection against lightning strikes.

Terminating and Grounding the Coaxial Cable Strip the insulation from the coaxial cable using a coaxial cable stripping tool. Attach a connector to the stripped end of the cable and ensure a secure connection. Fasten the cable to the coaxial cable grounding block, avoiding any loose wires that may disrupt the signal. Refer to this guide for detailed termination instructions.

Preparing the Cable for Indoor Installation Attach another coaxial cable to the coaxial cable grounding block. This cable will be routed inside the house. Ensure it is long enough to reach the desired destination with a single cable run.

Drilling a Hole into the House Select an entry point that minimizes cable installation difficulty, such as the garage, basement, or attic. Sealing the drilled hole after cable installation is essential to prevent air leakage.

• Preferably, route the cable through the attic, garage, or basement until reaching a point where it can be vertically directed through the wall to the desired outlet location.

Implementing a Splitter for Multiple Destinations Utilize a splitter to distribute the signal to various rooms if needed. Install the splitter indoors, ideally at the entry point into the structure.

• For multiple splits, consider using an in-line amplifier to enhance the signal strength.
• Ensure the splitter is rated appropriately for cable TV signals (5-1450 MHz).

Utilizing Fish Tape for Cable Routing Simplify the process of pulling wire through walls by using fish tape, available at most hardware and electrical supply stores.

• Avoid bending or crimping the cable to prevent signal degradation.
• Exercise caution to prevent cable damage; most RG6 cables are rated for up to 35 pounds of pressure.

Securing Cables with Cable Staples When using cable staples, avoid evenly spaced stapling to prevent signal reflection caused by slight compression of the foam jacket inside the cable.

• Minimize the use of staples to preserve signal integrity.
• Do not route cables under carpeted areas where they may be stepped on, as this can degrade signal strength.

Avoiding Proximity to Electrical Wiring Prevent signal interference by maintaining a distance of at least 6 inches between coaxial cables and electrical wires. When crossing electrical wiring, do so at a 90-degree angle.

• Avoid positioning cables near heating ducts to prevent potential damage from excessive heat.

Ensure Gradual Bends in the Cable Maintain signal integrity by avoiding sharp bends at right angles when navigating corners. Aim for a bend radius of 2 ½ inches (6.35 cm) to minimize signal degradation.

Utilize Low-Voltage Boxes for Wall Jack Mounting Opt for low-voltage boxes over standard electrical boxes to facilitate gentle cable curving without imposing a 90-degree angle bend. Tighten all connections using a wrench to prevent future connection issues.

• Hand-tightening may result in loose connections, leading to potential problems.

Connect Cable Equipment to Newly Installed Jacks Refer to equipment manuals for initial setup instructions. Consult the following guides for detailed setup procedures:

• Modem installation
• Cable box installation
• Use an RF signal meter to verify adequate signal transmission through the cable.