Speaker wire can be a great option for certain home wiring projects. Here is an in-depth guide on everything you need to know about using speaker wire for your DIY home wiring.
What is Speaker Wire?
Speaker wire is a type of electrical wiring that is specifically designed for connecting audio components like speakers, amplifiers, and receivers. It consists of two or more insulated copper conductors wrapped together, with some kind of jacket covering the wires.
The main purpose of speaker wire is to transmit audio signals between different audio components. Some key features of speaker wire include:
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Good conductivity - Made from copper, speaker wire conducts electricity well with minimal resistance. This allows it to transmit audio signals with minimal loss.
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Flexibility - Speaker wires are very flexible, making them easy to install and route in your home.
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Durability - The plastic insulation and outer jacket protect the copper wires from damage. Speaker wire holds up well over years of use.
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Affordability - Speaker wire is relatively inexpensive compared to other wiring options.
Why Use Speaker Wire for Home Wiring?
Here are some of the main reasons you may want to use speaker wire for DIY home wiring projects:
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Cost savings - As mentioned, speaker wire is very affordable, especially for running wiring over longer distances. This can translate to big cost savings on large projects.
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Easy to work with - The flexibility of speaker wire makes it easy to install around corners and through tight spaces. The insulation strips off easily for making connections.
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Good for low voltage - Since speaker wire is meant for audio signals, it works well for wiring low voltage lighting, doorbells, and other 12V or 24V circuits.
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Minimal interference - Speaker wire does not produce or receive much electromagnetic interference. This makes it suitable for wiring devices like doorbells that could be affected by EMI.
Applications for Using Speaker Wire
Some specific examples of ways speaker wire can be utilized for home wiring:
Low Voltage Landscape Lighting
Outdoor low voltage lighting systems operate at 12 volts. The thin paired wires of speaker cable work perfectly for running power from the transformer to multiple landscape lights spread around your yard.
Doorbell Wiring
A doorbell system is low voltage, usually 16-24 volts. Speaker wire allows you to easily run a new wire from the interior chime box to an exterior button.
Thermostat Wiring
Speaker wire can be used when running a new wire between a wi-fi smart thermostat and your HVAC system control board. It safely carries the low voltage signals.
Under Cabinet Lighting
Thin and flexible speaker wires easily route under cabinets to connect multiple LED puck lights for stunning under cabinet lighting.
Low Voltage Switches
Some smart home systems use low voltage switches. Speaker wire enables connecting these switches to the central hub or control panel.
Choosing the Right Speaker Wire
Here are some things to consider when selecting speaker wire for your particular home wiring project:
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Wire gauge - Larger wire gauges like 14 or 12 AWG work well for longer wire runs to prevent voltage drop. Go smaller for shorter runs.
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Number of core wires - Speaker wire can have anywhere from 2 all the way up to 8 core wires. More wires provides more flexibility in making connections.
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Insulation type - Look for speaker wire with CL2 or CL3 rated insulation to meet fire code for in-wall wiring.
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Jacket color - Get different jacket colors (white, black, brown, etc) for easily identifying different circuits.
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Oxygen-free copper - This higher purity copper conducts better and resists corrosion. But it costs a little more.
How to Install Speaker Wire
Installing speaker wire for wiring projects is straightforward:
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First, plan out your wiring path between the power source and device locations. Leave some extra length.
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Cut the speaker wire to the required lengths using wire strippers or scissors.
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Strip back 1/2" of insulation from both ends using wire strippers.
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At power sources, use screw terminal blocks to connect the stripped speaker wire ends.
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At devices, speaker wire can be connected using screw terminals, soldering, wire nuts, or other connectors.
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Once connected at both ends, wrap electrical tape around the joins and secure the wire run with cable staples.
Safety Tips
When working with electrical wiring, be sure to follow these safety guidelines:
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Always turn OFF power at the breaker before starting work. Verify it's off with a tester.
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Use safe electrical wiring practices, including proper cable routing and strain relief.
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If running wiring through walls, use proper in-wall rated speaker wire. Never run unprotected speaker wire inside walls as a fire hazard.
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Double check that all connections are secure with no exposed copper showing.
Conclusion
Speaker wire can be quite handy for many different low voltage home wiring projects due to its affordability, flexibility, and ease of handling. With proper wire gauge and in-wall rated insulation, it can be installed safely and according to electrical code requirements. Following basic wiring best practices, speaker wire enables all kinds of DIY smart home and lighting projects.