OUTDOOR 42/52/62 manual 6/4/02 11:21 AM Page 6
WIRING
The trickiest part of installing outdoor loudspeakers is running the wire. Pre-wiring new construction is strongly recommended, but this is not always possible. Access to a basement, attic, or crawl space can simplify the task of getting wires to the appropriate locations. If you are a do-it-yourself homeowner, you may wish to hire a professional for the purpose of running the wires, even if you are planning on mounting the speakers yourself.
The terminals used on the Outdoor loudspeakers will accept up to AWG #12 speaker cable. We recommend using the largest wire that is practical to run in your installation. A minimum of AWG #16 should be used for runs up to 50 feet, with AWG#14 for runs from 50-
100 feet. Runs longer than 100 feet should use AWG | solder or crimp |
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#12. | |
While the wire may be directly inserted into the termi- nals, in outdoor use standard copper wire will eventu- ally oxidize, potentially creating a faulty connection.
For this reason, we recommend using the gold plated spade lugs we have included to terminate the speaker wire. A properly crimped or soldered connection will create a gas-tight contact surface with the wire which will not deteriorate. The gold-plated contact surfaces of the spade lug and speaker terminal will be resistant to oxidation, making the connection more reliable. It is not mandatory to use the spade terminals. Connecting the wire directly to the terminals will not compromise performance, but you may need to periodically scrape the wire contact surfaces clean if the speakers are left outside year around.
