conduitdrywalllow-voltage
I need to run low voltage wire for under cabinet lighting from one side of an exhaust hood to the other. I would like to install a conduit so that the wire can be pulled later in the project (after backsplash is installed, etc.) For example can we cut away the drywall, mount a 1/4" conduit to the 2x4s and burry it in compound? If yes, what type of conduit should be used? Is there something made for this purpose?
Also (and perhaps more importantly), what is the "right" way to do this?
HDMI and speaker wire are basically signal wires, not power wires. Both the voltage and amperage is very low. Indoors it is safe to run these hidden or exposed without channel or conduit if they are properly rated. See this Q&A for a discussion of proper rating.
When channel or conduit is used, it is either for convenience in handling, and to keep the wires away from other materials, or it is used to improve the aesthetics - channel can be painted and looks neater than cables.
There are limits as to how much signal wire can be run in cable or conduit, but this is generally a function of pure physical space and ability to pull wire, rather than heat or safety. Speaker wire can be tacked to baseboards or other molding if that works. be careful to avoid breaking the insulation or the inner wires when stapling, and if you put wire under moldings, be careful not to nail through. Its not a danger issue, is a broken wire/no signal issue.
Power, including extensions to run a projector, is very different. No code allows extension cords to be buried in wall. I don't think any codes allow extensions to be tacked to baseboards. Also power cables should not run parallel to signal wires - they can cause interference even though many signal wires (like HDMI) are shielded.
You need to bring a regular, properly installed power line to the projector. This can be properly installed NM cable inside a wall to an outlet box. It can be surface wiring, but this requires standard metalic surface channels and boxes such as this and this:
One other note. Lampcord is often used as speaker wire. It is the same as is used for AC power cords and small extension cords. If you are using such wire, be careful, if you are burying in walls or stapling, that it is speaker wire rather than power carrying wire.
Best Answer
I've done this myself with both conventional range hoods and over-the-oven microwaves. Just drop the hood and cut one in. Avoid the areas where mounting screws will need to go, and avoid damaging your vapor barrier (if present). There's no need to patch the drywall.
Use any rigid or semi-rigid tubing that meets your size requirements. Obviously you'll want to position it so that it aligns with the holes you drill in your cabinetry.
UPDATE: From your comment I see that you'd like the wire to be under the upper cabinets. This is what I expected. My wire route usually goes through the side of the cabinet adjacent to the range hood, down through the cabinet floor at the rear corner, and wherever it needs to go underneath the cabinet, concealed by the recess. Sometimes it's necessary to clip a very small corner off the floating shelves, but it's not really visible from outside.
Of course, you can always run your conduit in the wall level with the cabinet recess since you're working on the wall anyway. The "right way" is what makes sense in your case. It's not a code issue.