Wall plate for connectors

[dormermike]

Hi

I'm redoing my living room and looks like I'm going to have to chase a new conduit for TV and LAN connections.

I'm looking for a double socket sized faceplate which has connectors for TV, Satellite, and network. I've seen one which has telephone rather than network but can't find a network one.

Any ideas please?

Thanks
Mike

 

[Lucid]

Unless you have a loft box distribution amp which also combines the aerial and satellite feeds in one (a multiplexer) then I'd be careful about buying an all-in-one plate.

It's either going to be nicely shielded and expect a properly multiplexed feed, or it'll be something along the lines this kind of creature; completely unshielded and the electrical equivalent of twisting some bits of coax together and wrapping the joint in electricians tape
Some kind soul is selling these at £25 a pop on Ebay.

Rather than searching for an all-in-one solution and having to accept some dodgy compromise, you might be better off looking at a modular solution.

Grid modules are the inserts that fit in to a rectangular frame to make up a single, double or triple gang wall plate. Amongst the array of options it's possible to buy individual modules for (shielded) RF TV, Satellite back-to-back, and Cat5e/Cat6a punch-down connectors

A double-gang grid frame has space for 4 of the modules linked to above. Each one is about 1" wide and they're known as half-width size. You're looking for 3 modules to complete what you need. The fourth space can be filled with a blank.

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[dormermike]

Thank you.

So a grid with individual cables and a module for each is better than multiplexer in the attic and run everything down one cable? What kind of cable would that be, out of interest?

I ask because we have two normal TV arials and these are combined into one cable and then go into an amplifier which is then sent around the house to every room via coax cable. Each room is wired for coax, so am wondering if I could use that?

Otherwise if it's a better approach to run individual cables to each module I can do that too. Have just chased the wall ready for conduit etc.

 

[Lucid]

Thank you.

So a grid with individual cables and a module for each is better than multiplexer in the attic and run everything down one cable? What kind of cable would that be, out of interest?

I ask because we have two normal TV arials and these are combined into one cable and then go into an amplifier which is then sent around the house to every room via coax cable. Each room is wired for coax, so am wondering if I could use that?

Otherwise if it's a better approach to run individual cables to each module I can do that too. Have just chased the wall ready for conduit etc.

View attachment 128274

Yes, no, and maybe..... ha ha ha

The grid module system includes diplexers as well as individual socket modules. So, if you wished, it would be perfectly possible to have a single width module with Sat1, Sat2, TV, FM/DAB and that would still leave you with space for two half-width modules (e.g. blank, Cat6a). Or you could have single width diplexer with just TV and Radio sockets. The thing is I don't believe either would be particularly useful to you.

You have two TV aerial (correct spelling ) signals combined because I'm guessing that you're picking up TV from two different regions? It doesn't sound like you've got either an FM or a DAB aerial in your system; and I really can't see a good reason to take one of your satellite dish feeds all the way up to your loft to push it through an aerial distribution system when the partner feed goes direct to the wall socket. Just send both sat feeds direct to the wall panel.

Satellite signals can't be distributed around your home the same way as TV and Radio. Satellite works differently. It's not possible to have several sat receivers all taking from a single dish feed as you would several TVs from an aerial, so these diplexer -modules or -wall plates with a Sat output are largely a waste of time IMO. Keep TV signals away from satellite signals and everything will work just fine.

Besides, you'll have to change to Sky Q at some point in the future, and all the reports I've heard say that the LNB signals from the new Q LNB are incompatible with distribution systems. Sky installers are insisting on direct feeds from the dish and even getting picky about cable joints.

Bring your combined TV aerial feeds down from the distribution amp same as before. Use Webro WF100 / Triax TX100 / Labgear PF100 cable. This is perfect for satellite too, even the picky buggers installing Sky Q can't complain at that. If you have to run cable from the dish then do so using the shortest route and go direct to the wall plate located near the Sky or Freesat receiver.

Tip: Fit the deepest metal backbox you can because the RF cables will need room to bend. Make sure you don't kink them or bend them at too sharp an angle. You can lose certain frequencies of the cable is damaged in this way. If need be, fit 90 degree satellite F plugs to the cable ends in-wall.


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