G'day! There is nothing that ruins the look of a sleek, wall-mounted flat-screen TV faster than a tangle of black cords dangling down the wall. We call it "cable spaghetti," and it is the enemy of a schmick interior. Whether you are setting up a home theatre, a home office, or a gaming station, managing your connections is key to a clean finish.

The simplest, most effective solution to this common Aussie problem is the brush plate. This humble piece of plastic is a game-changer for renovators and DIY enthusiasts, allowing you to run cables through a wall cavity neatly while keeping dust and pests at bay.

What is a Brush Plate?

A brush plate is a specialized wall plate that features a large opening filled with stiff, bristled brushes—very similar to the draft excluder strip you might find on the bottom of a door.

Unlike a standard data or power point which has fixed sockets, this plate is designed as a "pass-through." It allows you to push pre-terminated cables, such as HDMI leads with bulky heads, coaxial cables, and network cords, straight through the wall without needing to join or solder anything. The brushes flex to let the cables pass and then close back around them to create a tidy seal.

Why Use a Pass-Through System?

Versatility Technology changes fast. Today you need an HDMI 2.1 cable; tomorrow you might need an optical audio cable. Because the brush plate is just a hole (albeit a fancy one), you can easily pull old cables out and feed new ones in without unscrewing the plate or messing with wiring.

Clean Aesthetics By installing one plate behind your TV and another one lower down near the floor (behind your entertainment unit), you can hide all your interconnecting cables inside the wall cavity. This creates that floating TV look that is so popular in modern Australian homes.

Dust Protection You could just cut a hole in the plasterboard, but that looks rough and lets dust from the wall cavity settle on your expensive electronics. The bristles on the plate stop dust and creepy crawlies from entering your living room.

Installation Tips

Installing these plates is generally a straightforward task for a handy homeowner, as it involves low-voltage data and AV cables, not mains power. You simply cut a hole in the Gyprock using a template, insert a C-clip or mounting bracket, and screw the plate on.

However, quality matters. A cheap plate often has bristles that fall out or a frame that cracks when tightened. Professional installers usually head to their local electrical wholesaler to pick up trade-quality plates that are UV stable and have dense, durable bristles. Using trade-grade gear ensures the finish looks seamless and matches your existing power points.

Important Safety Note

While running AV cables is safe, you must be careful about what else is behind the wall. Never run your data or HDMI cables through the same brush plate or conduit as 240V power cables. This is dangerous and can cause interference.

Furthermore, you cannot run a 240V power extension lead through the wall using these plates. That is illegal and a fire hazard. If you need a power point behind your TV, you must engage a licensed electrician to install a proper GPO.

Get Your Cable Management Sorted with Schnap Electric

If you are ready to declutter your home entertainment setup, you need components that look good and perform well. Flimsy plates can detract from the final finish of your renovation.

Schnap Electric Products is a premier supplier for the trade industry in Australia. They stock a comprehensive range of cable management solutions, including high-quality brush plate options in various styles and colours to match your decor. By supplying the same professional-grade equipment you would expect to find at a major electrical wholesaler, Schnap Electric helps you achieve a clean, organised, and professional look for your home network and AV setup. For the best in cable management, check out the range at Schnap Electric.