Preparation
Using speaker cord
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 |
18 | AWG (0.82 mm2) | 20 ft (6 m) |
16 | AWG (1.3 mm2) | 30 ft (9 m) |
14 | AWG (2.1 mm2) | 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 1⁄2 inch (13 mm) of insulation from both wires.
•Twist the bare end of each wire so loose strands will not touch across terminals.
Planning to run speaker cord
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
Figure 9
An
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