Advice installing network plugs into wall

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pomtom44

128 posts

Master Geek

#240507 11-Sep-2018 14:58

Hello Everyone.
Im looking at installing some network plugs next to the power outlets in my house, but seem to be stuck
This is the first time I would be doing this, so please be nice :)

I went onto the Mitre10 website and found these
https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/goldair-4-gang-grid-plate-and-cover-white/p/247765
and
https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/goldair-computer-mechanism-cat6/p/247770

Which I believe should work together.

Now my understanding is you need something behind the wall, for the face-plate to screw into
https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/goldair-flush-boxes-white/p/247777
Something like this

But I dont understand how it works.
I thought you could get something which you put behind the wall, the screw though the wall to hold it in place.
Then put the face plate on and screw that together.
because the way I see this working is you have to screw to one of the studs in the wall to hold the box in place, then you can screw the plate to the box.

or am I completely wrong here?

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5809 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2087598 11-Sep-2018 15:27

Yes, you screw the flush box to a stud, then the faceplate to the flushbox.

That's the easy part - the hard bit (unless you have your wall linings off) is getting the cables between the flushboxes.

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#2087626 11-Sep-2018 15:41

I thought you could get something which you put behind the wall, the screw though the wall to hold it in place.
Then put the face plate on and screw that together.

Nah, just clamping through the Gib doesn't give enough strength to hold the box up without any external support.

because the way I see this working is you have to screw to one of the studs in the wall to hold the box in place, then you can screw the plate to the box.

Bingo, you got it, but as others have said that's the easy bit, the hard bits drilling the holds in the studs and getting the Cat6 cable to go from the box to you network hub point... (and you can't use the same holes in the studs as the power wires already in the walls)

nickb800

2715 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2087660 11-Sep-2018 16:29

You can also use these back less mounting clips, that let you mount away from studs
https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/hpm-mounting-clip-48mm-x-102mm-silver/p/167347

sbiddle

30853 posts

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#2087675 11-Sep-2018 16:59

Easifit flush boxes are the best IMHO

I'd also never go near any of that Goldair plates or modules. Stick with PDL.

Handle9

11386 posts

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Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2087693 11-Sep-2018 17:26

sbiddle:

Easifit flush boxes are the best IMHO

I'd also never go near any of that Goldair plates or modules. Stick with PDL.

Agree, Easyfit boxes are really easy to work with and if especially it's just data cabling I'm less paranoid about wanting the mechanical support of a stud. They are way nicer to work with than C-clips.

sparkz25

750 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#2087698 11-Sep-2018 17:49

sbiddle:

Easifit flush boxes are the best IMHO

I'd also never go near any of that Goldair plates or modules. Stick with PDL.

you mean easifix

http://www.obertech.co.nz/manufacturing/

i agree to stay away from that miter 10 crap and use PDL 600 series

bigalow

566 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2087702 11-Sep-2018 17:56

this post reminds me

im looking for a network socket that i can install on the wall without putting a big hole for a Flush Box

just drill a small hole that's about the same size as a cable and screw back plate then a wall plate

i have seen a few on youtube video but they are usa

any ideas ?

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sparkz25

750 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#2087709 11-Sep-2018 18:21

biggal:

this post reminds me

im looking for a network socket that i can install on the wall without putting a big hole for a Flush Box

just drill a small hole that's about the same size as a cable and screw back plate then a wall plate

i have seen a few on youtube video but they are usa

any ideas ?

you can do this method as well using the PDL 600 series plates, as they have fixing hole around the outside edges as highlighted

bigalow

566 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2089433 12-Sep-2018 17:11

where do i get them and does the face plate go on the top ?

sparkz25

750 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#2089434 12-Sep-2018 17:15

biggal:

where do i get them and does the face plate go on the top ?

any electrical wholesaler such as ideal, russells, corys, scotts active, and probably more, yes there is a clip on cover that pops on the fromt

Kickinbac

427 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2090335 13-Sep-2018 21:10

sparkz25:
biggal:

where do i get them and does the face plate go on the top ?

any electrical wholesaler such as ideal, russells, corys, scotts active, and probably more, yes there is a clip on cover that pops on the fromt

Could try trade me or electrical direct for online.
https://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/category/Switches-Sockets-PDL-Switch-Socket-Range-PDL-600-Series

chevrolux

4962 posts

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Inactive user

#2090342 13-Sep-2018 21:32

We use to call Easifix boxes "f*** up boxes"... you only needed to use them when you f*** up cutting the hole next to the stud.

I prefer a standard flush box over these as it gives you a lot more room in the back to slide cabling back in to the wall.

Just head to your local Active/Cory's/Russell's (in that order IMO) and look for the PDL 2 or 4 gang wall plates. And then you want the PDL 619MD rj45 module (they come with the clips too)

bigalow

566 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2090406 13-Sep-2018 23:37

so something like this

https://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/product/1812-PDL-681VID-1gang-Vertical-ID-Facility-Cover-Plate-Grid

and if i want a network and telephone socket

https://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/product/1815-PDL-682VH-2gang-Cover-Plate-Grid

pdh

338 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2090410 14-Sep-2018 02:09

PDL makes good quality stuff - and for NZ mains power points, there aren't many makers...

But for an international standard like RJ-45, why would we not use gear from Bezos' giant-vendor-of-almost-everything ?
Honest question - anyone with experience both ways ?

The US jacks are about 1 USD each - in packs of 5 to 50 (you save a bit for buying in bulk) and the wall-plates are available in a wide range of configurations - again for small cost.

PDL seems to want around 13+ $NZ for each 619 jack - plus their plates.

I guess that if you're fixated on style-matching your mains & data wall-plates - you might pay the premium - but for a house-lot of RJ-45 jacks... that's not doing much to keep down our high kiwi 'cost of building a house'.

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2090412 14-Sep-2018 03:56

I bought a bag of 50 RJ45 keystone modules from Aliexpress for about $30.

They are totally fine... didn't come with the PDL clips.. but hey are cheap anyway.

Reason I recommend buying the PDL ones is because you just can't go wrong that way. And I figure if you need to ask the question of where to buy from you dont know much about the product so the safer bet is better.

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