Co-ax question - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

subelect · 02-02-2009, 10:00 PM

Prior to this afternoon, we have always roughed in coax in each bedroom and run the cables back to one location, a "master location" if you want to call it that.
Today was the first day that we installed 2 TV coax cables at 2 separate locations in one large bedroom.
What is the danger of only running one of those 2 cables back to the master location and using a splitter to feed the other coax?
Do both cables need to be run to the master location or is this acceptable?
Thanks,
Rick

cdnelectrician · 02-02-2009, 10:16 PM

Yes they SHOULD be, it's not a good idea to have splitters all over the place. Everytime you put a splitter in a line you will loose some of the signal. For the price of a good splitter, and 4 compression connectors not to mention the time to try and squeeze that all into a 2104 box why not run an extra RG-6 to the other outlet from the basement.

lectric_hand6855 · 02-02-2009, 10:52 PM

I agree, go ahead and make 2 homeruns. Splitters can be he11 on a high speed internet connection.

Fredman · 02-02-2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subelect

Prior to this afternoon, we have always roughed in coax in each bedroom and run the cables back to one location, a "master location" if you want to call it that.
Today was the first day that we installed 2 TV coax cables at 2 separate locations in one large bedroom.
What is the danger of only running one of those 2 cables back to the master location and using a splitter to feed the other coax?
Do both cables need to be run to the master location or is this acceptable?
Thanks,
Rick

If they are indeed placing 2 TV's in this one bedroom, then it's a bad idea. On the other hand maybe they know there will only be one TV. The first split point being the preferred placement option. The the end of the line would be the 2nd "maybe" spot. Then they would use a pass thru barrel connector (not a splitter) at the split point and blank cover it. I like to use low voltage rings when possible. No craming required.

Just a cheap insurance option for some.

No I've never done this.

mikeg_05 · 02-03-2009, 12:06 AM

LV rings are a must when using splitters.

subelect · 02-03-2009, 07:34 AM

thank you.
Rick

Greg C · 02-03-2009, 09:03 AM

You cannot use a splitter on satellite feeds.

ElectricalMAN · 05-03-2009, 11:18 PM

I usually pull this Structured Wiring Triamese Cableforan application
like this. Includes (2) Rg6 and a (1) Cat 5e. They also have 2 plus 2 which is 2 Cat 5e and 2 RG6 Cables. I always pull a combo cable. Saves some serious time and time is money!

http://www.cablegiant.com/Default.as...Product_id=701

TOOL_5150 · 05-03-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg C

You cannot use a splitter on satellite feeds.

As Greg said.. DONT PUT SPLITTERS IN.. just pull homeruns.

~Matt

chrislovo · 05-04-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subelect

Prior to this afternoon, we have always roughed in coax in each bedroom and run the cables back to one location, a "master location" if you want to call it that.
Today was the first day that we installed 2 TV coax cables at 2 separate locations in one large bedroom.
What is the danger of only running one of those 2 cables back to the master location and using a splitter to feed the other coax?
Do both cables need to be run to the master location or is this acceptable?
Thanks,
Rick

Run the dual coax. The customer may be planning on installing a product such as DirectTV with a DVR, which requires a dual coax run.

steelersman · 05-04-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnelectrician

the time to try and squeeze that all into a 2104 box why not run an extra RG-6 to the other outlet from the basement.

Only a total bufoon would use an actual box instead of the intelligent option of a ring. Doh!!

steelersman · 05-04-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrislovo

Run the dual coax. The customer may be planning on installing a product such as DirectTV with a DVR, which requires a dual coax run.

Well if you were actually paying attention to what the OP stated you would understand that there are two, that's 2 (two) locations. Again that's TWO (2) locations. Also the DVR doesn't requite 2 cables to work. It can work off of one cable althoug it is desirable to have 2 so that you can record on one channel and watch a different channel at the same time.

Anyhow, just homerun everything that way you don't have to worry about it.

chrislovo · 05-04-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersman

Well if you were actually paying attention to what the OP stated you would understand that there are two, that's 2 (two) locations. Again that's TWO (2) locations.

I was paying attention, and understood the question the way that it was written. Simply saying that they installed two (dos) coax cables at two (deux) separate locations could be construed as two (II) drops at each of the locations.

I apparently misinterpreted Rick's question.

running dummy · 06-22-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersman

Only a total bufoon would use an actual box instead of the intelligent option of a ring. Doh!!

I never use boxes ha ha

76nemo · 06-27-2009, 12:43 PM

Homerun EVERYTHING??? Nobody uses signal amplifiers???????

MDShunk · 06-27-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76nemo

Homerun EVERYTHING??? Nobody uses signal amplifiers???????

There area lots and lots of fine reasons to homerun everything, and signal strength is pretty low on the list. In my own home, for instance, I have my TiVo box centrally located at the distribution point with IR passing from every set. I can watch TiVo from any set in the house. I'd never be able to do that without home runs. My driveway camera has a modulator at the distribution point, and I can watch that camera on any set in the house too. I'd never be able to do that without home runs. I used one run to pipe audio to the back patio using a balun. I'd never be able to do that without home runs.

steelersman · 06-27-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDShunk

There area lots and lots of fine reasons to homerun everything, and signal strength is pretty low on the list. In my own home, for instance, I have my TiVo box centrally located at the distribution point with IR passing from every set. I can watch TiVo from any set in the house. I'd never be able to do that without home runs. My driveway camera has a modulator at the distribution point, and I can watch that camera on any set in the house too. I'd never be able to do that without home runs. I used one run to pipe audio to the back patio using a balun. I'd never be able to do that without home runs.

And there you have it. More reasons to homerun everything. If you homerun everything, then the sky is the limit. If you don't homerun everything then you are very very limited to what you can do as Marc explained.

76nemo · 06-27-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersman

And there you have it. More reasons to homerun everything. If you homerun everything, then the sky is the limit. If you don't homerun everything then you are very very limited to what you can do as Marc explained.

And so I learn something new. Thank you for that. LV/phone&cable is something I am not all that bright with. Thanks Marc, thanks steelers!!!!

Larry Fine · 07-04-2009, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredman

If they are indeed placing 2 TV's in this one bedroom, then it's a bad idea. On the other hand maybe they know there will only be one TV. The first split point being the preferred placement option. The the end of the line would be the 2nd "maybe" spot. Then they would use a pass thru barrel connector (not a splitter) at the split point and blank cover it. I like to use low voltage rings when possible. No craming required.

Just a cheap insurance option for some.

No I've never done this.

I have for two outlets installed in a single room for flexibility. Home run to one outlet, and an extension from there to the second.

If the TV's at the first outlet, the extension just sits. If the second outlet is used, a barrel joiner connects the extension to the home run.

Toronto Sparky · 07-04-2009, 02:04 PM

Splitters really mess up anything digital.. Home runs are always better run to a main splitter probably fed from a high freq amp if you are using a few outlets.

Keep in mind some amps do not allow two way communication though them.. Very important these days.

All unused ports in the splitter must be caped with a terminating resister.

Also keep in mind the old splitters do not work well (if at all) on digital signals.

RG59 also is useless
RG6 all the way..