About In-Wall Speaker Wire
When building a home theater, consider installing surround sound to facilitate that movie-theater-like experience. Rather than mounting speakers on the walls, with wires running all over the room, most homeowners opt to use in-wall speaker wire. It is important to learn how to properly choose and use in-wall speaker wire, to avoid wiring problems and potential electrical dangers.
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Features
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There are four main parts of in-wall speaker wire. The working parts, which carry your sound, are lines of metal called inner conductors. They are wrapped in the second part, the insulation, which protects the sensitive metal. This entire cord is wrapped in the third part, an outer jacket that keeps the multiple inner conductors bundled together. The fourth part is the filler, which is used to fill in any space between the outer jacket and the inner conductors so they don't move around as you string the wire.
Function
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Most speakers don't come with speaker wire when you purchase them, but if you want to connect your speakers to create a functioning system, you need speaker wires. These wires transmit sound to the right speakers at the right time. Without a high-quality wire, it doesn't matter how good your speakers may be -- the sound coming from them will be compromised. In-wall speaker wire can be used to create a sound system in either a home or a commercial location.
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Types
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Speaker wire is categorized by its thickness, which is determined in the United States by an American Wire Gauge number. A lower number means the wire is thicker. Although very thick and very thin wire are available, in-wall speaker wire is typically rated with a gauge number between 12 and 16. In addition, the wire can be classified by the type of metal from which it is made. The Underwriters Laboratory (UL) also rates wire according to its fireproof qualities.
Considerations
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When choosing in-wall speaker wire, you first need to determine how far from your amplifier your speakers will be situated. The farther away the speakers are, the thicker your wire needs to be to produce the best sound quality. Generally, 16-gauge wire can be used at distances of less than 80 feet, 14-gauge wire is perfect for distances of 80 to 200 feet, and 12-gauge wire should be used at greater distances than those. How much wire do you need? Don't estimate. Instead, lay string where you'll be placing the wire to get an exact measurement.
Warning
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If you don't purchase the right kind of speaker wire, you could be putting yourself and you home in danger. Look for wire that is meant to be used in walls, with a fire rating of CL2 or CL3. Wires with these ratings are less susceptible to heat generation, so the risk of fire is low. It is also important purchase the right connectors with your in-wall speaker wire. Following the directions carefully when installing the connectors and wire will help you avoid dangerous short circuits that can cause fires, or at the very least damage your equipment.
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