Below is a pic of the in-wall network box in my new home – it is a 42" On-Q metal box, with an existing power outlet inside. Not shown are the bundle of cat5e cables and network and phone switches I have mounted inside. I have a cable modem with a network and phone out, and a wifi router.
I've got a couple options for cleaning this up and being able to put the cover back on the in-wall network box.
- Get a slim, mountable router and put it and the cable modem in the network box. There is enough room, but my biggest concern is the cable modem. I'm concerned about ventilation and needing to occasionally reset it.
- I could splurge for a hinged door cover for the network box.
- Keep the cable modem and wifi router out of the network box, right in front of it. I would cut a hole in the drywall right below the network box (red square in pic) and could run the coax/network/phone lines out.
- Unfortunately there is no nearby power source outside of the network box.
- I could run a 10 foot power strip to them (10 feet), or I could use the power source in the network box. I'm pretty certain the short run of power cables through the wall would be a code violation though.
- I could have an electrician install a power outlet outside of the network box. There aren't great options for placement without ripping up walls.
What would you do? Am I missing anything obvious? Are my concerns about the cable modem ventilation unfounded? Any code-compliant way to get power out of the network box?
Best Answer
That power strip in there won't do. Power strips are intended for temporary wiring, not as a substitute for the permanent wiring of a structure. Behind your TV for 20 years is one thing, inside a cabinet like this - no go.
Also, blue masking tape is not a legal cover for box holes.
If it's what I think it is, that blue-tape area has cutouts for another duplex receptacle... you can lick both problems by fitting a receptacle there.