Combining Speaker wiring and power wires

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stcalle

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I wanted to know if someone could tell me if the NEC allows you to combine 208/120V power wiring with speaker wiring in the same raceway? I did not find out the voltage rating of the speaker wiring but assuming it was less than 120V.

I thought this might be covered by NEC 2008 Article 725 where they talk about the class 1, class 2, class 3 circuits but I could not find anything.

Thanks
 
weressl

weressl

Esteemed Member
Location
Texas by the Gulf, geat crab, great shrimp
stcalle said:
I wanted to know if someone could tell me if the NEC allows you to combine 208/120V power wiring with speaker wiring in the same raceway? I did not find out the voltage rating of the speaker wiring but assuming it was less than 120V.

I thought this might be covered by NEC 2008 Article 725 where they talk about the class 1, class 2, class 3 circuits but I could not find anything.

Thanks
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In my best McEnroe voice imitation: ARE YOU SERIOUS?!!!!:D

Even if it is allowed by the Code it could and would cause constant buzzing of the speakers.
 
raider1

raider1

Senior Member
Staff member
Location
Logan, Utah
640.9(A)(3) requires that speaker wiring meet the requirements of Article 725.

725.136 requires that class 2 and 3 wiring be seperated from power wiring.

I would bet that the speaker wire would be a class 2 cable.

Chris
 
mcclary's electrical

mcclary's electrical

Senior Member
Location
VA
stcalle said:
I wanted to know if someone could tell me if the NEC allows you to combine 208/120V power wiring with speaker wiring in the same raceway? I did not find out the voltage rating of the speaker wiring but assuming it was less than 120V.

I thought this might be covered by NEC 2008 Article 725 where they talk about the class 1, class 2, class 3 circuits but I could not find anything.

Thanks
Click to expand...

YOu're gonna get nothing but 60 cycle HHHUUUMMMMM outta those speakers:mad:
 
LarryFine

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
weressl said:
Even if it is allowed by the Code it could and would cause constant buzzing of the speakers.
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mcclary's electrical said:
YOu're gonna get nothing but 60 cycle HHHUUUMMMMM outta those speakers:mad:
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Not necessarily. Speaker circuits are of relatively low impedance, and not very sensitive to induced noise. It depends on the current, the distance, and the proximity.

In my home theater, I have two #14 speaker wires (bi-wired), one shielded audio cable (powered-sub amp), and one 14-2 NM (sub-amp) feeding each main speaker.

These cables all run down from the ceiling between studs, and are not particularly separated. My speakers are dead quiet with zero signal, even from up close.
 
mcclary's electrical

mcclary's electrical

Senior Member
Location
VA
LarryFine said:
Not necessarily. Speaker circuits are of relatively low impedance, and not very sensitive to induced noise. It depends on the current, the distance, and the proximity.

In my home theater, I have two #14 speaker wires (bi-wired), one shielded audio cable (powered-sub amp), and one 14-2 NM (sub-amp) feeding each main speaker.

These cables all run down from the ceiling between studs, and are not particularly separated. My speakers are dead quiet with zero signal, even from up close.
Click to expand...

IMO crossing perpindicular is never a problem. But if they run parallel for more than a few feet I've always been scared of doing that, especially if it's an amplified speaker. It sounds like you've got a movie theatre:D
 
LarryFine

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
qcroanoke said:
Hmmmmm,
I live in Roanoke. May have to make a trip!
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We've got room for a week-end visitor; just need some notice. PM for phone.

mcclary's electrical said:
I would like to meet you one day, Larry. What's playing?:grin:
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Anything you like. We have around 250 DVD's and about half as many laserdiscs.

hardworkingstiff said:
I can make it to Richmond in about 4 hours. :grin:
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Just let me know. We're in west Henrico Co., about 5 minutes from I-64.
 
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hurk27

Senior Member
Location
Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Not to give you more food to chew on, but many high powered professional amps, are considered class 1 and require class 1 wiring?
It says so right on the back of my Crown Micro-tec 3600

I still would not want my speaker wire in a conduit with line voltage wires.
 
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