Aside from use as a power cord, you might consider running speaker wire through your walls in low-voltage applications, such as thermostats, sensors and hard-wired smart-home devices. In these cases, you won't have to worry about excess amperage making the wire heat up, but you will need to buy the right kind of speaker wire.
Can you use speaker wire as electrical wire?
This substitution works in the opposite direction as well, and you can use speaker wire as electrical wire in many cases. It's best to restrict its use to low-power or low-amperage scenarios, and there are some important limitations you'll need to know before you start.
Does speaker wire have to be burn resistant?
In most jurisdictions, in-wall wiring must be burn-resistant in order to meet building codes; otherwise, fire could travel along the insulation and burn down your house. Code-compliant speaker wire carries the CL2 or CL3 rating, which should be printed along the side.
Can audio interconnect cables be installed in-wall?
Audio interconnect cables and speaker wires fall under Article 640, and so whether they can be installed in-wall or in other specific settings will depend on that article. Under NEC 640.21 (C), these are in turn governed by Article 725, "Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 Remote-Control, Signaling, and Power-Limited Circuits."
What size speaker wire do I need for a lamp?
The smaller the number, the bigger the wire and the more power it can handle. A lamp draws very little current, especially with modern LED bulbs, so ordinary speaker wire of even 18 or 20 gauge is fine. For higher-drawing devices, like a kitchen appliance, you'd be better off using heavier 16-, 14- or 12-gauge wire.
What is the difference between in wall speaker wire and regular speaker wire?
The different is in the jacket/insulation of the wiring. In-wall rating has to do with burn rate and spread and toxic gases given off by burning wire insulation. If you don't care about fire issues in your home, and in-wall is not required by code, then you can skip the in-wall rated stuff.
What wire do you use for wall speakers?
Thick wire (12 or 14 gauge) is recommended for long wire runs, high power applications, and low-impedance speakers (4 or 6 ohms). For relatively short runs (less than 50 feet) to 8 ohm speakers, 16 gauge wire will usually do just fine. It's cost-effective and easy to work with.
Can speaker wire start a fire?
Banned. When dealing with electricity the potential for fire always exists. With speaker wire the threat level is very low, as the voltages involved are low, while amplifiers usually have protection circuits that will shut the amp down in the event of a short circuit.
Does in wall speaker wire need to be shielded?
Speaker wire doesn't need shielding. Induced noise on high impedance lines can be audible because the current transfer on high impedance lines is low. Speaker wires are low impedance and any induced voltage from any normal source is not going to support enough current to affect the signal.
How do you know if speaker wire is rated in Wall?
All wire that is to be installed in the wall should be rated for in wall installation and comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC). Speaker wire approved for in wall installation will typically be stamped with the designation UL approved CL2 or CL3.
How do you run speaker wire through walls?
0:492:10How to Run Speaker Wire Through Walls - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLike so and this has these little flip out tabs that hold it up against the inside of the drywall.MoreLike so and this has these little flip out tabs that hold it up against the inside of the drywall. Take your screwdriver tighten it up. And then it cinches up against the wall.
Can I use speaker wire for electrical?
Speaker wire can be used as electric wire when wiring low current systems, like home security sensors, doorbells, landscape lighting, and thermostats. Speaker wires carry low voltage electric current, are graded the same way as electric wires, and are made of copper, a good conductor of heat.
Do speaker wires carry electricity?
Speaker wires carry whatever level of current comes out of the amplifier. A typical 100-watt amplifier powering an 8-ohm speaker would produce about 4 amps at 30 volts, which most people would not feel.
Do in wall speakers get hot?
Cellulose insulation, sometimes called blown-in insulation, is treated with fire retardants and requires a lot of heat to ignite. The point is, your speaker will probably not cause a fire because it's touching your insulation.
Does speaker wire need to be insulated?
Copper is the most widely used material for speaker cable due to its low cost and low resistance. However, copper does oxidise so it needs to be well covered and insulated.
Why are speaker cables not shielded?
Speaker cables do not need shielding since the signal from your amp is so large and the impedance of your speaker is so low, that any additional RF noise and outside interference will be insignificant.
How do you hide speaker wires in the wall?
Best Ways to Hide Speaker Wire and Audio CablesUse existing room décor. ... Use cable clips with integrated nails to affix speaker cables to the baseboards in the room. ... Take advantage of light strips. ... Route the cables under throw rugs or even the carpet in the room. ... Stick speaker wire to the wall.More items...
What kind of wire should I use for a speaker?
Ideally, the speaker wire you use should be the pure copper variety. Lower-cost speaker wire is made of copper-covered aluminum, which also conducts electricity well, but aluminum is more prone to heat-related problems. Advertisement.
What is speaker wire?
Speaker Wire for Power Cable. A common use, for example, might be to use speaker wire as the power cable for a lamp or other low-power electrical device. Typically, you'll need to disassemble the device at least partially to remove the old cord. Inside, the power cord usually attaches through some kind of screws or terminals.
What is the difference between speaker wire and electrical wire?
The only difference is that speaker wire typically has clear outer insulation, while electrical wire might be black, brown, white or some other color. That similarity isn't an illusion; the wires are very much alike and can be used interchangeably in many circumstances. Advertisement.
What gauge speaker wire should I use for a lamp?
A lamp draws very little current, especially with modern LED bulbs, so ordinary speaker wire of even 18 or 20 gauge is fine.
Can you use speaker wire as electrical wire?
You can use speaker wire for electrical uses, but you must pay attention. In the earliest days of home audio, speakers were often connected with simple electrical wires, or "lamp cord.". This substitution works in the opposite direction as well, and you can use speaker wire as electrical wire in many cases.
Can I run speaker wire through walls?
Wiring in the Wall. Aside from use as a power cord, you might consider running speaker wire through your walls in low-voltage applications, such as thermostats, sensors and hard-wired smart-home devices. In these cases, you won't have to worry about excess amperage making the wire heat up, but you will need to buy the right kind of speaker wire.
Why can't you run power lines in conduit?
The first is, simply, that it's a great way to get a lot of EMI into your signal chain. The second is, as you've probably guessed by now, that it's against NEC requirements.
Why are plenum cables required?
Plenum cables are required to have jackets and dielectrics which don't easily give off toxic fumes when burned- -the reason being that a fire in one part of the building can, through the ventilation system, feed toxic fumes to the entire building.
How far apart is coaxial cable?
Coaxial cable is required to be separated by two inches from power cable, unless either it or the power cable is enclosed in a raceway or they are separated by a "continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor," NEC 820.52 (A) (2). Whew!
Do all risers need a riser rating?
As we'll see, though, all risers do not necessarily require riser-rated cable.
