PowerBridge®, innovated in 2006 by a licensed professional AV installer with over 30 years industry background. Installing hundreds of Plasma, LCD flat screen TV's, faced with the issue of needing a power-outlet up on the wall where the new flat screen TV was going to be installed, a huge installation challenge needing to be solved.
Running the TV power-cord or an extension cord in the wall, was and is NOT an option due to national and local electrical codes and the liability for the risk of personal and property damages.
1 > Power extension cords are not rated for use in or through walls or ceilings, professional installation companies know this and will not run the cord in the wall.
2 > Hiring an electrician to pre-install an electrical wired outlet was not only expensive, costing more then a few hundred dollars plus the inconvenience to schedule different professionals, proved to not be a worthy solution.
There's got to be a better way... Introduce the "light-bulb moment"
No one wants to see a half a dozen cords and wires hanging down the wall from the TV, and everyone wants their expensive HDTV plugged into external power-surge for complete protection.
"Bridge-the-power" up the wall to meet code compliancy and plug into existing power and surge protection, and it had to be safe and easy to install by just about anyone.
Solution #1 > Safety is priority, the US and Canada require using code compliant in-wall rated power wire. Well known brand ROMEX®, NM-type wire most commonly used throughout the country, used by electricians to wire electrical switches and outlets and lights. Running the proper in-wall wire makes it possible to create the code compliant "in-wall extension" connection between the PowerIN and recessed PowerOUT wall plates.
Solution #2 > Innovation of the PowerIN male-plug wall plate, installs near existing power outlet, allows a power-cord to safely plug into an existing external power surge protection.
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Designed as a plug-in type device, think of the PowerBridge Solution as a specialized "extension-cord" system when installed with code compliant in-wall rated power-wire then simply plugged into an existing power-outlet.
PowerBridge, does not make direct wired connection to the primary electrical premise-wire circuits. PowerBridge is not the same as installing a standard outlet receptacle, as it does not add to, create a new circuit, change or modify the premise wiring. PowerBridge is energized safely by plugging into the existing circuit from the front of any grounded outlet receptacle already rated for use to plug in an appliance such as your HDTV.
PowerBridge was launched to the professional AV installation trade as the affordable in-wall power extension solution at the 2007 CEDIA Expo in Denver, Colorado, home to HD Products, PowerBridge.
Over 475,000 kits have been safely and successfully installed professionally and by thousands of DIY's throughout the US, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Canada.
PowerBridge products are compliance tested and listed by independent testing laboratory ETL-Intertek to the UL and CSA standards to meet and actually exceed safety standards for the electrical classification listed.
Note to Professional Trade:
PowerBridge is viewed as a non-electrical - non-premise wiring type installation, since it does not connect to the circuit directly as a standard electrcial installation would. The possibility of professional licensing requirements for non-DIY installation, may exist in your area. HD Products, advises checking with your local licensing authority as to providing any installation services for a fee to consumers.
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