Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Running speaker wire through walls

When I am running speaker wire through walls, do I need to avoid placing the speaker wire in the vicinity of electric cables for the house electric wiring? If I need to avoid the house wiring, how close can I get with the speaker wire? Can they cross over each other at various points, or run along side each other at all? I would be using 12 gauge wire with the protective wrap, which does not provide any shielding.

Bob,

I tried to stay at least 12 inches (for parallel) from any electrical run in my theatre room.

If you can't do that, then intersect the electric lines at a 90 degree.

DO NOT run any speaker wire right next to an electrical line for any length. It should be 90 degree intersects only and 12 inches or more for parallel runs.

Just to continue the above post never through the same hole as electric either.
Jake

You are wise to ask this. I agree with the above posts - if you avoid running alongside electrical lines, you will avoid interference that could disrupt your sound quality.

If you are in Canada, FYI there is electric code on what type of wire you use also. Just cannot be normal spreaker wire ! I am not talking electrical wire There is code in the EC that stipulates wires that are run for speakers

Something else came to mind. It may not apply to your situation, because it sounds like you may be fishing speaker cables through existing walls and existing electric lines.

But if you are not, i.e. if you are building something new, then make sure that your electrician puts in all his lines before you run your speaker wires. I've heard secondhand stories of people who've laid in their speaker wire and then had electricians come in and run their electric lines right along the speaker wire. That's great for the electrician - saves him the work of drilling new holes in the 2x4s, etc. Sucks for the homeowner, though!

Actually, i am not planning to get an inspector to come in...sheesh, they can call me if they want...i'll probably get in trouble for this...

Its not wise to run lamp cord type wire if that is what you used. The reason there is a code for in wall speaker wire has to do with possible breakdown of the insulating cover over time and the increased fire hazard from overheating or shorts. We are likely talking years before anything happens but it makes sense to use the proper insulated wire wire. Home Depot sells various guages of inwall grey coloured insulated CL rated wire and its fairly cheap.

I used the CL2 rated wire from Bluejeans cable with insulation. I should be fine

yeh, that's what I thought I was going to run 12 g and I was told there is code. Of course if you do it, who the h#$l knows. But, yeh it is code.
I just went to Wyco Electric Wholesale and they sold me, I think I got 12g or 14g 60 ft for $18. it has been a year so I can't remember

I've heard horror stories of people not applying for permits and/or skipping getting their construction inspected.

When they go to sell the house, the potential buyers/real estate agents will contact the City to see what development has been performed on the house. If the City catches wind that there has been un-inspected work done, they make you tear it out.

I'm not sure if this is true, but I do know the city I live in keeps good records. I can go on-line and see what permits have been approved for any house.

I guess I just am a stickler for rules.

from my good friend ctk:

http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server.pt/g...Development.htm

Thanks but I have been there many times. The cost of the permits are prohibitive in themselves. I calculated out all the permits to do my basement again and it came out to 1/4 the total cost of the basement! I did factor in 2 extensions as I know I didn't complete my basement with in their time frames. What a cash grab.

Make sure you are applying for the correct permits. If it works out to 1/4 of the cost, something is wrong. You need a building permit and an electrical permit (there are two types depending who is doing the work). Many people think they need a development permit also but they don't.