Is it safe to cut the plug off a power strip (then reattach it) in order to run it through a wall?

Question

I'm trying to hide the cable for the power strip that my TV is plugged into by running it behind my drywall. However, I have to go through a stud. I'm thinking I can probably drill a hole through the stud small enough for the quarter inch cable without opening up the wall. Still trying to work this out, but seems like an angled bit, or even a long enough bit should be able to do it. The plug on the power strip however, like most, would likely be too big to get through any hole that I would want to drill in a stud.

Question is, is it safe to either cut a power cable somewhere in the middle, or cut off the plug then rewire it or a new one in order to run the wire, then reattach the plug once it's through?

Attaching a picture in case I'm being completely unclear. FYI, the white cable in the picture is just being run to pull through whatever cable I ultimately end up running.

Open to any feedback at all on how to accomplish this, including how to get a hole drilled in that stud (though again, this seems like it should be fairly straightforward with a long enough drillbit....and yes, I plan to be very careful about not drilling through wires!!)

Thanks in advance for any help!!

Answer 1

This is a little unclear from the description and picture. What I think you are asking is:

Can I take a power-strip that has a bunch of receptacles on one end and a 3-prong plug on the other end, chop it in half, feed it through some holes in the wall & stud, and then reattach it and plug it into a wall-mounted receptacle?

The answer to that is NO, that would be a big violation of code (using cable not appropriate for in-wall installation) and also not in accordance with UL (or other agency) certified use of the power strip.

However, what you can and should do is:

Feed a cable (e.g., Romex) from the receptacle down below point A to point B, connect it properly to the existing receptacle in A, mount an appropriate box in the wall at B and connect it to a receptacle in B. Note that you've actually done some of the work already by feeding a cable (though likely not the right type, but you can use it to pull the right cable (black/white/ground)) from right next to a receptacle up to the correct level. Cut a space and mount a box to the stud at B (the stud right there will give you a proper place to attach it, and it will be easy to drill the hole before you mount the box). The cable will can be pigtailed together with the existing cable that goes to the existing, below A, receptacle and connected to the new receptacle at B.

Would the first method work OK and probably not cause any real problems? Yes...if the cable was spliced properly (wire nuts on wire stripped properly), nothing ever went wrong with this cable hanging out and spliced inside the wall cavity (which is also against code), nothing mounted in the future messed up the cable, nobody ever pulled on the ends wondering "what's going on here", etc. But definitely NOT a wise move.

Would it pass even the most basic electrical inspection or (hopefully) home inspector? No.

Answer 2

First, you know they make kits to solve the problem of hiding TV cables. They carry power legally and also provide a wide passage for datacomm cables, properly separated from power as per Code.

Typically they provide an outlet at the TV and a power inlet which a female end of an extension cord.

You can also wire your own receptacles using permanent wiring methods intended for a building. That can tie directly into power, or go to an inlet, as you prefer.

Embedding a power cord of any kind in a wall is right out. Also low voltage cables must be completely separate from power cables.

Answer 3

To get a hole through the stud, you'll want to use a flexible drill bit and positioning tool.

Once you have the path. You'll want to use approved wiring methods to get power from the existing receptacle, to the new receptacle behind the TV. This means running non-metallic sheathed cable (NM) (or similar), from the existing receptacle, into a proper device box behind the TV. Once you have the cable there, you can install a receptacle in the device box behind the TV.

If you'll also want to run data/communications cables, from a similar location up to the TV. I'd recommend installing flexible conduit from end to end, to make it easier to swap out cables as needed. You'll have to keep data and power separate, which will mean drilling a second hole through the stub.

WARNING!!!

You CANNOT install extension cords through walls. You must use approved wires/cables, and approved wiring methods.