How to choose the Best height for electrical outlet for Wall Mounted TV
If you’re wondering where you should install an electrical outlet for a location where a TV will be mounted, this article covers everything you need to know. This article can help you prevent any troubles you may face due to poorly chosen electrical outlet location.
The best height to install an electrical outlet is about 1 to 2 inches below from the top edge of the TV from where you want your TV to be mounted. That way, outlet doesn’t get in the way of the TV wall mount.
Laterally, you can put it anywhere as long as it’s hidden behind the TV. But if you install an outlet near upper right or upper left corner, it’ll make it easier to access the outlet during TV installation.
Now, you’re probably wondering what’s the best TV height for optimal viewing. Ideally, you should be eye-level somewhere between the middle to bottom 1/3 of the screen for comfortable viewing.
Learn more about Optimal TV height & Viewing distance.
Who can legally Perform electrical Work?
In Ontario, Canada, only Licensed Electrical Contractors (not just an electrician – there’s a difference) can legally perform electrical work by obtaining permit and getting inspection once the work is done.
Home owners are also allowed to perform electrical work in their own home if they have the knowledge and know the latest code to pass inspection. Home owners are also responsible for obtaining the permit before work starts and getting inspection once the electrical work is done.
However, most average Joe’s really shouldn’t attempt to perform any electrical work themselves unless one has some prior experience working for an electrical contractor in the past. It’s just better not to mess with something that can be catastrophic if you’re not 100% sure of what you’re doing.
Electrical Outlet Installation for Your TV
The best way to ensure that the power outlet ends up in the appropriate section behind the TV, you should measure the dimensions of the TV and mark the wall with Masking tape like the picture below.
Do NOT put an electrical outlet in the center portion of the TV!
The center portion of the TV is the ABSOLUTE WORST place to put an electrical outlet as it will get in the way of majority of TV wall mounts in the market!
Photo below is a perfect example of why not to install an outlet dead center to the TV.
Sure, there are some TV wall mounts that have large cut-outs in the middle portion of the wall plate, where it gives you just enough room to mount the wall plate around an electrical outlet like the photo above.
The major problem with having an electrical outlet in the center portion of the TV is that, you will be very limited on choices of TV wall mounts that would work for your situation.