How to Splice Speaker Wires Together
Whether you are installing a new sound system or replacing old speakers there will come a time in which the wires will have to be spliced. A good connection can mean all the difference in how the signal is transmitted to the speakers. A bad connection can inevitably come back to haunt you by a poor performance in sound. A frayed splice or one that is not properly insulated can also damage amplifier equipment by shorting out the power circuits. This can result in permanent and costly damage. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wire strippers
- Wire pliers
- Wire nuts
- Black plastic electrical tape
- Butt splice connectors
- Solder iron
- Solder
Instructions
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1
Strip back at least ¾ to 1 inch of the speaker wires insulation, using the wire strippers. Reveal this much copper to make a good connection. Twist the pairs of wires together making a joining with the wire pliers. Ensure there are no frayed wires exposed.
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2
Cover these splices with a wire nut. One each for each wire pair. Wrap the wire nut with a few rounds of electrical tape to keep out moisture. This is a quick method for making a sound wire splice.
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3
Use a butt splice connector for making an inline splice. Hold the wire to be spliced along side the butt connector. Strip back the insulation half the length of the plastic connectors body. Perform this to both wires.
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4
Insert both wires into the connector. One wire into each end. Push the wires tightly into place. Crimp each end of the butt connector, one at a time, with the pliers. Pull on each end of the wire to ensure a good mechanical connection. Cover the butt connector with a full round of electrical tape.
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5
Solder the splice to ensure an excellent connection that will be free of any mechanical jarring and resistant to moisture. Strip the wires as in the steps above. Twist the pairs of wires together with the pliers to make a mechanical connection. Touch the tip of the hot soldering iron to the solder. This will clean and "tin" the tip.
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6
Touch the hot tinned tip of the solder iron to the twisted pair of wires. Place the tip of the solder to the opposite side of the wires. Allow the solder to melt and flow into the wires. Once a solder drip flows from the joint, withdraw the solder and iron from the wires. Allow the joint to cool and wrap the tape around the permanent joint to insulate.
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Tips & Warnings
The order presented is from the quickest to the most permanent methods of splicing speaker wires. Not all applications will need to be done for any particular speaker system. A simple bare wire twist with a covering of black tape maybe fine for a temporary solution. Soldering a wire is the best and most permanent.
