Audio Video Wiring
- Thread starter rlambrose
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hbiss
EC, Westchester, New York NEC: 2014
- Location
- Hawthorne, New York NEC: 2014
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- EC
Re: Audio Video Wiring
Nothing to do with the voltage or even what you are using the wiring for. To put it simply, the code requires all wiring run within walls, ceilings etc. to be listed for the purpose. Wiring marked CL, CM etc is suitable for that use. Unmarked wire as well as zip or lamp cord, even though listed is not suitable for concealed use.
If you are going to be doing this type of work I suggest that you invest in a copy of the NEC. You don't need to learn all of it unless you want to be an EC. Read articles 90, 725 and 800 on. These articles apply to the work you are doing and there are not many pages. It should be easy enough to discover the answer to your question.
-Hal
Nothing to do with the voltage or even what you are using the wiring for. To put it simply, the code requires all wiring run within walls, ceilings etc. to be listed for the purpose. Wiring marked CL, CM etc is suitable for that use. Unmarked wire as well as zip or lamp cord, even though listed is not suitable for concealed use.
If you are going to be doing this type of work I suggest that you invest in a copy of the NEC. You don't need to learn all of it unless you want to be an EC. Read articles 90, 725 and 800 on. These articles apply to the work you are doing and there are not many pages. It should be easy enough to discover the answer to your question.
-Hal
macmikeman
Senior Member
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Re: Audio Video Wiring
Volts are not the only consideration. Amps and watts also. Low voltage wires can burn up just like high voltage ones can.
hbiss
EC, Westchester, New York NEC: 2014
- Location
- Hawthorne, New York NEC: 2014
- Occupation
- EC
Re: Audio Video Wiring
Although not always the case, rlambrose is talking about low level signal wiring for audio and video.
There is no danger that this wiring will overheat from the current it carries however you still do have to consider what happens if it does burn. One of the things the Code is concerned about is what happens if there is a fire and this wiring becomes part of it. Will it contribute to the flame spread and contribute noxious smoke?
The NEC is not just concerned with electrical safety but the safety of wiring in general.
-Hal
Although not always the case, rlambrose is talking about low level signal wiring for audio and video.
There is no danger that this wiring will overheat from the current it carries however you still do have to consider what happens if it does burn. One of the things the Code is concerned about is what happens if there is a fire and this wiring becomes part of it. Will it contribute to the flame spread and contribute noxious smoke?
The NEC is not just concerned with electrical safety but the safety of wiring in general.
-Hal
arjo_reich
Member
Re: Audio Video Wiring
Out of curiousity, what kind of wiring are you considering that doesn't have a CL rating?
As far as I know, all speaker wiring I've seen was rated CL3-R. I'd be hard pressed to find something that wasn't - not counting "creating cables" with some random 18 AWG wires.
Out of curiousity, what kind of wiring are you considering that doesn't have a CL rating?
As far as I know, all speaker wiring I've seen was rated CL3-R. I'd be hard pressed to find something that wasn't - not counting "creating cables" with some random 18 AWG wires.
hbiss
EC, Westchester, New York NEC: 2014
- Location
- Hawthorne, New York NEC: 2014
- Occupation
- EC
Re: Audio Video Wiring
Out of curiousity, what kind of wiring are you considering that doesn't have a CL rating?
Unfortunately zip cord is very popular for speaker wiring and is sold as such. Alot of the cheap offshore stuff isn't even marked SPT. I'll bet if you go through Radio Shack you will find all kinds of wire without any listing.
I just remembered that for at least two major CATV coax (RG-6 etc) manufacturers you need to specify wheather you want the cable marked as being listed. Reason being is that if the cable is being used outside with only a few feet going inside of a building no listing is required.
-Hal
[ July 22, 2005, 03:14 PM: Message edited by: hbiss ]
Out of curiousity, what kind of wiring are you considering that doesn't have a CL rating?
Unfortunately zip cord is very popular for speaker wiring and is sold as such. Alot of the cheap offshore stuff isn't even marked SPT. I'll bet if you go through Radio Shack you will find all kinds of wire without any listing.
I just remembered that for at least two major CATV coax (RG-6 etc) manufacturers you need to specify wheather you want the cable marked as being listed. Reason being is that if the cable is being used outside with only a few feet going inside of a building no listing is required.
-Hal
[ July 22, 2005, 03:14 PM: Message edited by: hbiss ]
macmikeman
Senior Member
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Re: Audio Video Wiring
Sorry for the confusion on my part, I was just remembering reading articles about high gain audio wiring combusting where it was improperly run inside walls and ceilings of residential. I usually try not to do much audio, I bring in subs who really have their act together for jobs with sound systems.
Sorry for the confusion on my part, I was just remembering reading articles about high gain audio wiring combusting where it was improperly run inside walls and ceilings of residential. I usually try not to do much audio, I bring in subs who really have their act together for jobs with sound systems.
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