speaker wire (1 Viewer)

[harold t]

can you use clear covered speaker wire for everything
or should you use in wall wire for all in wall installation?

thanks harold

 

[Bill Kane]

Harold,

First off, you will see many here recommending 12-gauge speaker wire all around -- mains, center and surrounds. We're talking clear-sheath HomeDepot bulk or SoundKing -- the .37 a foot type.

But if surrounds are going to be wired "in-wall," up behind wallboard, across the attic and down another interior wall, then specific in-wall rated CL-2/CL-3 wire is required by the national electrical/fire code. And this wud meet homeowners insurance that everything is installed according to code.

In-wall wire conductors are the same as regular stranded copper, but come in a sheath designed to withstand heat/flames and perhaps retard burning material gas emissions.

One good type is partsexpress.com CarolCable Part 100-740 at ~18 cents foot in 100-ft hanks