Whether you're fixing a poorly installed cable outlet or you're just trying to move the television from one side of the room to another, installing a cable TV jack doesn't have to be a daunting task. In fact, it's really just a matter of planning the best way to access the wall and then dressing up your installation with a proper wall plate.

For this article, we'll need to assume you've been able to locate the cable in the proper location. After all, with so many houses and so many differing variables, it’s nearly impossible to provide comprehensive instructions in this single article. Look for other articles on this site to detail various methods for running cables down and up walls for both low voltage and high voltage applications.

Once you have located the new place for your cable TV jack, we recommend the use of a standard single gang low voltage "old work" box. This will allow you to have a nice finished hole that is protected and which provides a secure mounting point for your cable TV plate. Below we show both the old work box as well as the standard cable TV jack plate that you'll likely use. Both can be found in any hardware or home improvement store:

To complete the install, simply saw a vertically-oriented rectangular hole approximately 1.75" x 3.75". This will be the hole into which the low voltage box fits into. For drywall we recommend a standard keyhole saw, which can be had for around $10 and makes the job of cutting into drywall (and even plaster/lathe) an easy process. If you can't grab one of these, drywall can be cut carefully with a standard utility knife.

Note: When using a keyhole saw, be VERY mindful of what you are sawing into. It is very easy to cut into something you do not intend to. Pay special attention to the location of 12/2 electrical cable, insulation (on exterior walls), and the depth of your cut (to avoid punching through into an adjacent room.)

Once the box is in place you can use a standard Philips screwdriver to engage the brackets which will secure it snugly against the wall. These boxes work well with just about any thickness of drywall and we've even had success with lathe & plaster wall materials. These low voltage boxes have o back and are designed specifically for the installation of low voltage devices such as a cable television, Ethernet or telephone jacks into an existing wall. The design makes it easy for coaxial or RJ45 (Cat5x) cables to bend properly into the appropriate connectors. It also eliminates the need for old school metal plates, drywall anchors, and screws.

To complete the installation, simply hand-screw the F-connector (cable TV) jack onto the back side of the wall plate and then tighten it with an adjustable wrench. When you're satisfied that the connection is secure, screw the plate into the face of the low voltage workbox using the holes provided and stand back and enjoy your newly finished cable TV outlet. This will look much better than what many cable TV installers leave behind, which is often a bare wire sticking through the floor or a plate which is haphazardly screwed directly into the drywall.

Some additional notes to consider when installing a cable TV jack:

• If you are starting with a new cable run, we recommend investing in a set of RG6 crimpers. There are many different kinds with the more expensive compression style offering the most versatility and ease-of-use.
• Older cable TV runs used RG59, however most new construction, cable and satellite companies now use RG6 which is more suitable for handling the higher bandwidth signals offered by digital services.