How to run power to a wall mounted TV

People just love to mount TVs on the wall, not sure if it's just the wife factor or what, but there is no doubt it's the thing to do. There are a few problems though, how high, which mount, where do you put the rest of your equipment, and how to you get power to it? Now, we don't know what the electrical codes are like in your area -- seriously we don't, you have to check for yourself -- but in most areas you can't just run the power wire through walls; and while we doubt an inspector will be knocking on your door anytime soon, if there was a fire, the insurance company might not pay out. But don't worry, there are easy ways to get the job done properly, and if you play your cards right, you'll even be able to use a UPS or power conditioner.

Like most things in life, there are many ways to achieve the desired results, but with all the power outages in our area, it's important for us to use a UPS to help protect our investment. This means we need a sort of extension cord, but one that's up to code in our area. Lucky for us, there's a cool little product called the PowerBridge, which is a kit that includes everything you need, including a power-inlet. You're probably familiar with a power-outlet, well this is the opposite, and while you can find inexpensive ones online, if you want to choose your color and take out the guess work, then it's a good way to go.

Everything you need is included in the kit, except the wire (ROMEX) and tools.

Here are the tools you'll need.
Drywall saw (assuming you have drywall)
Phillips and flat-head screw driver
Level
Stud finder
Wire stripers

First we need to find the stud in the wall to ensure we don't try to put a receptacle where a stud is.

Next, we need to line up our template to figure out where we're going to put our box, we want ours next to our feed, so we want 'em to be level.

Now that we have it level, we'll trace out the template with a pen.

Then use our drywall saw to cut on the line.

And here is our new hole, right next to the feed receptacle

The kit includes two double gang, retro-fit, high voltage electrical boxes, you'll notice the tab at the top that will grab the drywall from the inside and hold it in place.

Before we run our wires, we check to make sure it's level.

Repeat the installation of the single gang box behind the TV and run your in-wall certified wire (again, check your local codes for any additional requirements) between your new holes. Because we're only making an in-wall extension cord, there isn't any reason to turn off the power.

Feed the wires through the retro-fit single gang box and then screw in the screws to secure them.

Using the directions, strip and tighten the wires onto the power-inlet.

Repeat behind the TV on the power-outlet.

After all the wires are secured, fasten both the outlet and inlet to their respective single gang boxes.

Here is the newly installed power-inlet right next to our power source.

Here is both the inlet and the outlet, and while they're not very far from each other, it looks much better than an extension cord running up the wall.

Finally, plug in your TV to the recessed outlet.

Connect the UPS or power conditioner to the srouce outlet and the extension cord from the kit to the power-inlet and turn her on. (The Insteon FilterLinc pictured is not needed, it helps make our power line network more reliable)

We keep our UPS in a piece of furniture -- yeah we know this model produces a a simulated sine wave.

And here is the finished product with no wires running up the wall, and we get a piece of mind knowing that our house won't shouldn't burn down.