Wall plates have had to expanded their capacity over recent years with the ever growing need to distribute multiple signals and internet connections around the home. At one time they were limited to RF and phone signals but now have to incorporate HDMI, Internet Comms as well as other Audio / Video requirements to support surround sound systems.
[easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B001702I16″ locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41MkbUIB-ML._SL160_.jpg” alt=”wall plates” width=”160″]Some Wall plates are very simple, like the [easyazon-link asin=”B001702I16″ locale=”us”]Vanco Two-Piece Bulk Cable Wall Plate[/easyazon-link] This inexpensive unit helps to improve the appearance of cables emerging from a wall, and can be useful if you have a lot of pre-cut cables to route and don’t want the hassle of terminating wires to the back of a plate. [easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B001702I1Q” locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41l1RRzEc6L._SL160_.jpg” alt=”wall plates” width=”160″]For more complex home entertainment installations there are wall plates with a broader scope.The [easyazon-link asin=”B001702I1Q” locale=”us”]Vanco 7.2 Home Theater Wall Plate[/easyazon-link] is a complete distribution panel for a home theatre systems incorporating HDMI connections and surround sound audio. The terminal are gold plated with RCA jacks for excellent sound performance.
Wall Plates – Planning Your Installation
When starting out on a project to distribute an entertainment system it can soon become a vast tangle of cables, especially if you are distributing to several different rooms.
For example, many sports bars and family restaurants incorporate lots of satellite televisions for their guests. While this can be a great way to ensure a positive experience for restaurant guests, it can be challenging to manage the wiring situation in some of these buildings.
[easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B0018BS728″ locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QLzP52FAL._SL160_.jpg” alt=”diplexer” width=”160″]For example, it may not be possible to send a different RG6 Coax Cable to every television in a building. However, the appropriate wall plates can simplify this process.By incorporating a [easyazon-link keywords=”diplexer” locale=”us”]diplexer[/easyazon-link] a wall plate can then be used to split a satellite TV signal several times. This will allow a single coaxial cable to be used for multiple channels.
Wall Plates – Understanding RF Interference
When choosing wall plates it’s a good idea to find one that can protect a signal from RF interference. While digital cables, like [easyazon-link keywords=”HDMI cables” locale=”us”]HDMI cables[/easyazon-link], usually don’t have a problem with RF interference, it can be a significant problem for satellite television systems that use an analog signal. Since most consumer and commercial satellite services use analog transmission technology, it’s essential to find a plate that can minimize the impact of harmful interference.
[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B005M28H5Q” locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/315v4Ti5KuL._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]Harmful RF interference can come from a variety of sources. For example, RF interference can often be caused by televisions, washing machines, hair dryers, clothes dryers, ovens, microwaves and other large appliances in a home. Since a coaxial cable acts like a huge antenna, it can absorb lots of this RF interference from all around a home or building. Using [easyazon-link keywords=”Quad-Shielded Coax Cable” locale=”us”]Quad-Shielded Coax Cable[/easyazon-link] can help cut interference. [easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B007A1G19G” locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31t6Kj-4y0L._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]Fortunately, many coaxial cable plates come with a [easyazon-link asin=”B007A1G19G” locale=”us”]Signal Clarifier[/easyazon-link] that can reduce this type of harmful interference and extend the distances that you can distribute your signal. By incorporating signal fidelity monitors into a plate, it’s possible to have harmful noise automatically removed from a wall plate before it reaches a television. [easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B00083JQVS” locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41MK7E7GD0L._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]In addition, coaxial cables can be subject to power surges and other abnormal electrical activity. This can cause a large jolt of electricity to flow through a coax cable causing damage to a TV receiver, there are separate [easyazon-link asin=”B0002KR7EK” locale=”us”]Coax Surge Protectors[/easyazon-link] available. Fortunately, wall plates like the [easyazon-link asin=”B00083JQVS” locale=”us”]Monster In-Wall PowerCenter[/easyazon-link] incorporate surge protectors to minimize the risk of this type of damage.