How to Mount a TV and Hide the Wires Behind the Wall

Mounting a TV and hiding the cables behind the wall is a popular home improvement project — and one where the electrical requirements depend entirely on how you plan to power the TV. The cable management part of the project is straightforward low-voltage work. The power part, however, may require an ESA permit and an ESA-licensed electrician if it involves adding a new outlet inside the wall. Understanding which parts of the project are DIY-appropriate and which require a permit keeps the finished installation both clean-looking and code-compliant.

How to Mount a TV and Hide the Wires Behind the Wall

This guide covers the full project: mounting the TV bracket, managing the signal cables (HDMI, coax, ethernet), and addressing the power cable — including the correct approach for Ontario homes where electrical work inside walls requires an ESA permit.

What You Can Do Without an Electrician

The following parts of this project are low-voltage cable management work that homeowners can perform without an ESA permit:

• Mounting the TV bracket to the wall (structural work — locate studs, use appropriate lag screws or toggle anchors)
• Running HDMI, coax, ethernet, and other signal cables inside the wall using in-wall rated cable (CL2 or CL3 rated for residential use)
• Installing low-voltage mounting brackets (cable pass-through brackets with open face plates) at the TV location and at the cable source location
• Using surface-mounted cable raceways or cord covers along the wall instead of in-wall routing

Running signal cables inside the wall is legal for homeowners in Ontario without a permit because signal cables are low-voltage and classified separately from line-voltage electrical wiring. However, the cables must be rated for in-wall use — CL2 (Class 2) or CL3 (Class 3) rated cables have insulation designed for the heat and fire conditions inside a wall cavity.

What Requires an ESA Permit

Adding a new 120V electrical outlet inside the wall behind the TV — or relocating an existing outlet — requires an ESA permit and work by an ESA-licensed electrician. The Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) and the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) classify any new outlet installation or modification to an existing branch circuit as electrical work requiring a permit and inspection. This includes:

• Installing a new flush-mounted outlet directly behind the TV in the wall cavity
• Adding an outlet on the opposite side of the wall (e.g., from a basement or adjacent room) to supply power via the wall cavity
• Running new Romex or NMD-90 cable inside the wall to reach an existing outlet location

A common workaround is an in-wall power management kit — a product that includes a recessed outlet assembly for the TV location and a recessed inlet assembly lower on the wall (where it can plug into an existing outlet). These kits use the existing outlet and route the power cable through the wall using the outlet’s existing circuit. In Ontario, these kits must be CSA-approved, and their installation still involves working inside the wall in proximity to the outlet box. Whether a specific in-wall power kit installation requires an ESA permit depends on the product and the installation method — consult an ESA-licensed electrician before installing one if you are uncertain.

How to Route Signal Cables Through the Wall

• Plan the cable path: Identify the stud bays between the TV location and the cable source. Most TV installations route cables through a single stud bay — from the TV location straight down to floor level, or horizontally along the wall to the AV equipment location. Check whether the wall has fire blocking (horizontal lumber inside the stud bay) — a stud finder set to scan for density changes can help locate blocking.
• Check for obstructions: Before cutting, use a stud finder and a non-invasive inspection camera (if available) to check for wiring or pipes in the path. See our guide on how to check if a wall is load-bearing before cutting — a load-bearing wall should not be cut into without structural assessment.
• Cut the openings: Use a drywall saw or oscillating tool to cut rectangular openings at the TV bracket location and at the cable source location. Standard low-voltage mounting bracket cutouts are approximately 2.75″ x 4.5″ — template-cut for the specific bracket you are using.
• Fish the cable: Use a fish tape or a pull string attached to a glow rod to route the cable through the stud bay. In open stud bays (no fire blocking), this is straightforward. Where fire blocking is present, the cable must pass through it — drill a 3/4″ hole through the blocking, centred on the stud bay, and route the cable through the hole.
• Install the low-voltage brackets and face plates: Snap the low-voltage mounting brackets into the drywall openings and install the face plates (either keystone jacks for specific cable types, or pass-through grommets for routing cables without termination inside the wall).

Handling the Power Cable

The TV’s power cable cannot be routed inside the wall as-is. A standard power cord is not rated for in-wall installation — it uses a thermoplastic insulation designed for exposed use, not the heat and fire conditions inside a wall cavity. Running a standard power cord inside a wall violates the OESC regardless of whether the cable is visible or not.

The three correct approaches to power:

• Use the existing outlet, with the power cord running on the surface: Route the power cord along the wall using a surface-mounted cable raceway (cord cover). This requires no permit and keeps the installation compliant. The cord cover can be painted to match the wall colour.
• Install a new flush outlet at the TV location: An ESA-licensed electrician installs a new outlet flush with the wall directly behind the TV mounting area. The TV power cable connects to this outlet directly — no visible cord. This requires an ESA permit. See our guide on electrical work inside walls for context on permit requirements for concealed wiring.
• In-wall power management kit: A CSA-approved kit with a recessed outlet assembly at the TV location and a recessed inlet at a lower point that plugs into the existing outlet. The kit’s internal conductor is rated for in-wall use. Installation requirements vary by product — consult the product’s specific instructions and, if uncertain, an ESA-licensed electrician.

Mounting the TV Bracket

Expert Tip from Our ESA-Licensed Electricians

The most common issue we see with TV mounting projects is the power solution. Homeowners route a standard power cord through the wall because they have seen tutorials online that show this being done — and those tutorials are not showing code-compliant Ontario installations. A standard appliance cord inside a wall is a code violation and a fire hazard. If you want a completely clean look with no visible cords, volunteer to have an electrician add a dedicated outlet flush behind the TV. This is typically a half-day job, and the cost is modest compared to the TV installation budget. CL2-rated cables cost the same as standard cables and are the correct choice from the start.

Related Reading from ezsmart.ca

• How to Check if a Wall Is Load-Bearing Before Cutting an Outlet Hole
• What Are the Rules for Wiring Inside a Closet?
• Can I Use an Indoor Extension Cord Permanently?
• How Close Can an Outlet Be to a Kitchen Sink?
• What Is the Difference Between Load and Line Wires?

Contact Us

Want a clean TV installation with a properly permitted outlet added behind the wall? Our ESA-licensed electricians serve the GTA. Call us at 416-838-9006 or visit our contact page.

Amir Azimipour

Electrician Since 2008 Journeyman Electrician Designated Master Electrician at EZSMART Corp