David Preston

What is the Danger?

What is the danger of having speaker wire ran in the wall if it is not the proper kind? What is the proper kind? Is it a fire hazard? Thanks

Cees Alons

Voltages on speaker wires are very low. There's virtually no fire hazard. If the wires may get cut easily and shortcut, you may damage your amplifier (receiver), but generally they are protected to that (although I would never want to put that to a test unnecessarily).

Best wire is the same type of wire you use as powerwires. Use 12-14 gauge (depending on the distance) or thicker.

Mark it clearly: never to mistake power wiring for speaker wiring or vice versa.

Good luck,


Cees

Bill Lucas

If you have a fire and you have wire in your wall that is not properly rated your insurance company *could* deny your claim. Spend a few bucks more and get the proper wire for the application.

Bob McElfresh

It's a bit of a 'Myth' as I dont know of a case where an insurance company actually did this, but the basic argument is something like:


So while there is no intrensic fire hazard from ordinary speaker wire, the soft, rubber insulation spreading a fire is the issue.

(Insurance companies are NOT in the business of paying claims. They invest your money and fight to pay any back.)

In-Wall rated speaker wire has something ordinary speaker wire does not: Pull Strength. The outer insulation is thick, stiff, and hard to work with. But it is designed to be pulled with lots of force through small holes, corners, against bundles of itself. The rubbery, glove-soft indoor speaker wire is not designed to handle this type of abuse.

Here is my advice:

• Look for CL rated, fire-resistant speaker wire.
• Try to find 12 ga, or pairs of 14 ga (thicker the better for long runs).
• Make sure to run 3 sets of speaker wires to the rears (for that rear-center speaker).
• I suggest running everything through plastic electrical outlet box's.
• Pull enough wire and leave enough slack to create an un-broken path from receiver to speakers. Buy blank outlet covers and thread the wire through them after drilling holes for the wires. Later you can cut the wires off near the walls and install plates with binding posts, but dont do this to start.

Hope this helps.

JayDaniel

I look at it like this - spend the few extra cents/foot it costs to buy in-wall rated wire. I bought mine at Home Depot, and it was maybe 10 cents more per foot. That's only $10 extra for 100 feet of wire. This should be a non-issue. UL deems it important enough to rate it as such, so why not follow their expert advice?

Do I really think there's much of a risk for fire from using normal speaker wire? No. But is the peace of mind worth $10 extra bucks? Yes. And what is the extra few $$ in comparison to what you've spent already on your entire system?

Just my 2 cents (or is it 10 cents?) worth.

JamesHl

Is it not like electrical wiring where you have to follow local building codes? It's probably nothing to worry about, but at the low cost of a few dollars more, you might as well.

David Preston

Looks like I'll be making a trip to home depot. Why did I have to wait till summer to ask this. Now I'm gonna have to go up in the attic and rerun this wire. I'll probably wait till night time and use lights its to hot in the day time. Thanks everybody.

David Preston

Will this stuff work ok? I wonder if they have a shorter roll I don't need 500'. Reason I ask is it says intercom,security. This should be ok right?

per roll

500' 14-2 In-Wall Speaker Cable


Features:

Power limited control circuits

Wiring of the following systems: intercom, security, audio, background music

Suggested voltage rating: 300 volts


More Information

David Preston

Its me again. I also found IXOS 14GA 4 conductor in wall 100ft at accessories for less for $35.00. They also had IXOS 14GA 2 conductor for $25.00. Which one should I get 2 or 4 conductor. What is the difference in the wire. Would it be better to go to Home Depot?

Bob McElfresh

You really want the thicker wire for longer runs.

Get the 4 conductor wire and combine 2 of the wires at each end to give you an effective thicker wire.

Advice: zig-zag the wire between the studs and use Insulated staples to secure them, BUT only nail in the staples about half way. Years from now if you need a bit more wire you give a tug to pop the first staple. Instant slack.

Do not run in parallel with power wires. Keep the wires apart if possible and if you have to cross some power wires, try to do it at a 90 degree angle.

Make sure to run at least 3 sets of wires for that rear-center speaker. Since I advised you to run 4-conductor cable, this means 2 runs of wire. Trust me: you wont regret the potential that the spare wire represents.

RayJK

I have to disagree with Bob, bigger is not always needed. If you are going to run less then 100'(for each speaker, not total) or have less then 1,800 watts of power then 14 gage will work and still have lots of ability left to handle more power. To give you an idea, the wire that is supplying electricity your receiver/amp is most likely 14/2 romex.

Doubling 14 gage gives you an 11 gage equivalent, enough to handle about 3KW.

All you need is the 14 gage 2 conductor wire for each speaker. If you have 2 speakers that are somewhat close to each other get the 4 conductor wire and split it at the end. You'll only have to pull one wire then.