Table of Contents
Advertisement
Using speaker cord
Planning to run speaker cord
Figure 9
An open-backed junction
box that allows for cord
coming through the wall
near the receiver or
amplifier
Before you cut any cord, estimate how much will be needed for each speaker.
To do so, measure the distance from the receiver/amplifier to where each speaker will be
installed. Make some allowance if the cord must go around corners or through walls, and
leave at least 14 inches (36 cm) of cord to pull from the wall for making the connections easily.
Note: If you are installing ceiling speakers, allowing extra cord will give you the freedom to
stand on the floor while making the connections.
Be sure to use the proper gauge (thickness) of speaker cord, determined by the length of
each piece.
Wire recommendations
Based on a maximum frequency response deviation of ±0.5 dB
Gauge
Maximum Length
2
18 AWG (0.82 mm
)
20 ft (6 m)
2
16 AWG (1.3 mm
)
30 ft (9 m)
2
14 AWG (2.1 mm
)
50 ft (15 m)
CAUTION: Before running speaker cord through a wall or under a floor, check your local
building code requirements and safety regulations. If necessary, contact an A/V installer or
electrician for this information.
Prepare the cord
You will need a wire cutter and wire stripper for this work.
Speaker cord consists of two insulated wires. The insulation around one wire is marked
(striped, collared, or ribbed) to identify it as positive. The other wire is negative. It is important
to connect each wire to the proper terminal, positive to positive (+) and negative to
negative (–).
Note: It is sometimes difficult to distinguish wire markings. Inspect both wires carefully.
At the ends of each cord:
• Strip approximately
1
⁄
inch (13 mm) of insulation from both wires.
2
• Twist the bare end of each wire so loose strands will not touch across terminals.
The techniques for running cord differ according to the condition of the walls you are working
with: new, unfinished construction or finished construction with the walls completed.
In either construction type, you need to mount an open-backed junction box in the wall near
the receiver or amplifier for cord coming out of the wall (Figure 9).
AM267565_01_V.pdf May 13, 2003
Preparation
11
Advertisement
Table of Contents
