What are some of your best ways to hide these wires?
I know they make wire channels that can be painted the same color as the wall, but I’m curious if there was some product I could buy to pass the wire between studs, drop it below, then fish it out to the outlet. I’ve used brush plates for behind the TV before, but it seems too big. Is there one that has a smaller profile?
I've seen the brush plate included in a plate that includes another outlet, e g. a tv aerial and a "hole" for passing through cables.
The getting through the studs will likely be your biggest issue, it can be difficult to drill down that far sometimes and access can also be an issue.
if you're going to do all that, the better option (and depending on your local laws, the more legal option) would be to run some romex from the existing outlet and make a new outlet, then you can plug the smart device into that new outlet while wrapping the wire so it's not run across the wall
But then wouldn’t you have a random outlet up there? Haha maybe a recessed one that the device could sit in?
also - if you were going to go that route... if you have a neutral wire in that 3 gang switch box maybe you could pigtail off there instead of trying to get to the outlet? I've seen USB power recessed wall cutouts for things like tablets
edit
or even Amazon.com: Bryant Electric USBB102W 15 Amp 125V Decorator USB Switch Combination Charger, White
I have both « new » outlets and brush plates here. Both are great options and have their benefits and draw-backs.
A few pics in case it helps:
Can a battery-powered sensor be used instead?
Replacing a battery once a year might be a small price to pay for a non-hideous look.
I actually ended up sacrificing one of my outlets on the vanity for that human presence sensor. I still need to test it out though by taking a bubble bath and a shower to make sure it still works.
For the IR remote, I ended up just installing two different ones: one for each room even though technically one would work where I had it. This way one of the IR remotes is sitting right on top of the USB plug with a super short cable and the other one is "hidden" among decor on a buffet table in the dining room plugged into an outlet behind the buffet table.
I can see a use for the ever-forthcoming Innovelli presence sensor switch. If it works.
If that ever comes, that would be perfect. So, I did find a battery operate Human Presence sensor in my stash in the meanwhile, but I can't seem to find the right driver for it. (The vanity location wouldn't work ugh...)
Edit: Nevermind! I keep getting the Tuya 4 in 1 and the Tuya mmWave drivers confused. I picked the wrong one.
I did this by using fishing line with a nut attached to the end and a strong magnet outside to drive this nut down between studs. Once fishing line is in place I used it to drive a romex cable. This worked wery well but only vertically assuming space between studs is not obstructed.
Great idea if you have insulation in the stud cavity. If it’s hollow the wire can easily drop or if using Romex go up.
I have pulled probably a mile of various network, speaker, Romex, etc cable in my home and by far this is the most useful tool
https://www.amazon.com/Jonard-Tools-MRS-24-Retrieval-Retriever/dp/B07KX62FM1/
From above you drop the chain down and then you use the “wet noodle” (aka magnet) to find the chain and pull it out. Very useful if say you want to pull a new Romex wire into an existing box.
Just be careful pulling wires with the chain as it’s somewhat fragile. For more complicated runs I use the chain to pull a “pull wire”, use an old piece of speaker or security wire, and then use that stronger pull wire to pull what I am actually needing to get into the wall.
Looking at your picture your challenge is those sensors require low voltage. If it were me I would make a small hole behind the sensor and run the low voltage cable into it and then put one of these in same stud cavity below. Then use the nearby outlet below to plug the brick into. In other words the low voltage wire will be behind drywall and wire comes out at the bottom near the outlets. I’ve seen these at local box stores too.
https://www.amazon.com/VCELINK-Mounted-Attachment-Mounting-Brackets/dp/B0BZD7XXX1
That one sensor where outlet is around the corner is a bit more challenging. You could add a receptacle below those switches on the same wall. Obviously you have power to the switches so you could run a Romex out the bottom to a new outlet.
That's nice - I may have to pick up one of those.
I've always used something like this: Klein Tools 56335 Flat Steel Electrical Fish Tape.
So, I just installed 2 of the IR remotes instead of just 1 to reach both LED candle sets and they’re less conspicuous now
I decided to try a battery operated PIR+mmWave instead, but it has its own challenges ugh
That is very useful too and I have those plus actual fish poles as well.
Ahh! Desk grommets! that's what I was looking for!
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