If you have a Samsung Frame TV and you’re chasing that flush, “art on the wall” look, you’ve probably come across DIY guides suggesting you fish the One Connect cable through the wall to a cabinet below. Stop right there. Before you cut into drywall, you need to understand what electrical code actually says about running this cable inside a wall — and why it matters for your safety and your insurance coverage.
Can You Hide the Samsung One Connect Cable Inside the Wall?
No — the One Connect cable cannot legally be run inside a wall cavity, and here’s why.
Under the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC Rule 4-010(3)(a)(ii)), flexible power cords are not permitted to be run through walls, ceilings, or floors. The U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC Article 400.12) contains the same prohibition, barring flexible cords from being concealed inside wall cavities or used as permanent building wiring.
Because the Samsung One Connect cable carries electrical power to the TV, it’s classified as a flexible cord — not permanent wiring — unless the specific cable is rated for in-wall use.
Why This Applies to Every Samsung One Connect Cable
Even though the cable looks proprietary and unlike a typical extension cord, it still:
- Delivers 120V of electrical power
- Plugs into a standard receptacle
- Functions as removable equipment wiring, not fixed building wiring
That combination legally qualifies it as a flexible power cord under CEC Rule 4-010 and NEC Article 400 — the same rules that apply to any lamp cord or appliance cable.
The Danger of In-Wall Wiring: Why Most DIY Guides Are Wrong
Most blogs and forum threads suggest running the One Connect cable behind the drywall down to a cabinet. In the vast majority of North American jurisdictions, that’s a straightforward code violation.
- The problem: unlike HDMI or Ethernet, the standard One Connect cable is not CL2 or CL3 rated for in-wall use.
- The risk: running a non-rated power cable through a stud cavity is a fire hazard, and an insurance provider can deny a claim tied to improperly rated in-wall wiring.
- The solution: hide the box safely with a recessed AV Back Box that keeps the cable and box in a self-contained, code-compliant enclosure instead of inside the wall itself.
This applies to every generation of One Connect Box that supplies power to the TV, from 2018 through today. In 2018 Samsung introduced the “One Invisible Connection,” combining data and power into a single thin fiber-optic cable — but the power-carrying portion is still subject to the same code restrictions.
The Pro Solution: Using a Recessed AV Back Box
Installing an AV Back Box directly behind the Frame TV creates a hidden pocket for the One Connect Box to sit in. The TV mounts perfectly flush against the wall, while all wiring and the box itself stay outside the actual wall cavity — fully code-compliant and fully hidden.
Will an AV Back Box Fit Your Wall?
- Depth: at least 4 inches of clearance (standard 2×4 studs + ½” drywall)
- Stud spacing: standard 16-inch on-center studs provide the ~14.5 inches of width the box needs
- Wall type: works for standard drywall/wood-stud walls. Not applicable for concrete, brick, or 2×2 metal-stud walls common in condos
Not sure if your wall qualifies, or dealing with a condo build? Our TV wall mount installation team can assess your wall and recommend the right approach during a free estimate.
Where can you buy AV Back Box?
Custom AVI carries AV Back Boxes and ships to USA & Canada!
Step-by-Step: How to Install an AV Back Box Behind Your Frame TV
1. Locate and Outline
Mark the outline of your Frame TV on the wall, then use a stud finder to locate the studs. Mark the width and height of the AV Back Box between two studs, positioned so it will be completely hidden by the TV once mounted.
2. Cut and Prep the Wall
Cut and remove drywall within the outline for the AV Back Box.
Pro tip: before cutting, verify there’s no hidden plumbing or electrical behind the drywall. If you have original construction photos of the wall, check them first.
3. Install the Power Outlet
You cannot run an extension cord into the wall. A licensed electrician needs to install a proper electrical outlet inside the back box — this is what powers the One Connect Box, which in turn feeds power to the TV.
4. Modify for a Snug Fit (Smaller Frame TVs)
For 43″ and 50″ Frame TV models, use the smaller 9×14 inch AV Back Box. You’ll need a hacksaw to trim a small plastic nub inside the box so the One Connect Box slides in cleanly.
5. Mount the TV
Plug the One Connect cable into the box, loop any extra slack inside the enclosure — avoid sharp kinks — and mount your TV directly over the box.
Samsung One Connect Box Dimensions (By Generation)
Standard One Connect Box
The standard One Connect Box measures 13.7 x 5.4 x 2.6 inches (34.8 x 13.72 x 6.61 cm) and has been consistent across 2018 models and later.
Mini One Connect Box
The Mini One Connect Box measures 8.2 x 3.6 x 1.3 inches (20.83 x 9.2 x 3.30 cm). Only the 32″ Frame TV ships with the Mini version (2023 and later).
Slim One Connect Box
The Slim One Connect Box measures 13 x 11.5 x 1.62 inches (33.02 x 29.21 x 4.1 cm). Samsung introduced this version in 2021 for select high-end Neo QLED models. The 17×14 AV Back Box still accommodates the Slim One Connect Box.
What Ports Are on the Samsung One Connect Box?
Port availability varies by generation, but a One Connect Box generally includes:
- 4 x HDMI (3 x HDMI + 1 x HDMI eARC)
- 1 x Digital Optical Out (Toslink)
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports (0.5A / 5V HDD port)
- 1 x Ethernet port (not included on the One Connect Mini Box)
- 1 x Antenna In (not included on the One Connect Mini Box)
- 1 x One Connect port
- 1 x Power
Future-Proofing: Adding Devices to a Hidden One Connect Box Later
If you’re working with new construction or a renovation, install conduit (an “inner-duct”) inside the wall rather than just pre-wiring a fixed set of cables. Conduit is the only real way to future-proof the installation, letting you add or remove cables freely as you upgrade your TV down the road — especially important when the TV is mounted over a fireplace or built-in unit where fishing cables later is difficult or impossible. Aim for at least a 1.5-inch inner diameter.
Working with existing construction instead? Run several HDMI cables at the time of TV installation, even ones you don’t plan to use right away, so you’re ready to connect new devices later without pulling the TV off the wall. You can also pre-wire fire-rated low-voltage cables — HDMI, coax, and Ethernet — from your equipment location to the hidden One Connect Box. See our guide on prewiring for future-proofing for more on planning this at the right stage of construction.
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