My basement was wired by the previouse homeowner with Monster XP audio cable for 5 speakers. I just finished wiring my upstairs with "Monster Standard THX SP 16 guage" cable (no coments on getting ripped off by Monster...). After doing some research saw the cable (basement and what just wired) is not CL rated. I am re-modeling, so do have the ability to re-wire as many walls are down to studs, so wondering if it is worth the time/cost (another day effort). I know an inspector may not approve, but doing myself so will not be inspected. So questions:

1. Dangerous to leave the "Monster Standard THX SP 16 guage" cables in the walls/ceilings or not to worry. I ran 8 cables for 6 ceiling speakers in one room and 2 in another. Running up to 4 cables together

2. What about direction. I hooked it up a few spare speakers at a time to make sure the cable works and did....but a few of the cables run different ways (yes i know...rookie didnt notice the 'arrows' until almost done). Are cables really directional...I thinketh not??

3. I also ran HDMI and Component about 20 feet to hook up plasma above fireplace. The packaging od the HDMI said CL2, the component; the component did not (I ran both because not upgrading receiver now).

1. Dangerous to leave the "Monster Standard THX SP 16 guage" cables in the walls/ceilings or not to worry. I ran 8 cables for 6 ceiling speakers in one room and 2 in another. Running up to 4 cables together


Probably not. The main reason for CL2 wire, is that is does not put off poisonous fumes when burning. BUT, if you pulled a permit, and this has to be inspected, they will require CL2.

2. What about direction. I hooked it up a few spare speakers at a time to make sure the cable works and did....but a few of the cables run different ways (yes i know...rookie didn't notice the 'arrows' until almost done). Are cables really directional...I thinketh not??


No, they are not really directional. How could they be? The signal going to your speakers is AC, so the signal goes both directions anyways.

3. I also ran HDMI and Component about 20 feet to hook up plasma above fireplace. The packaging od the HDMI said CL2, the component; the component did not (I ran both because not upgrading receiver now).

Same as the speaker wire.

For residential construction (where the wire is not running through an air plenum as you might find in an office space), my limited experience is that many (most?) inspectors will never look at your low-voltage wiring, so long as it's not obviously unsafe, like being wrapped into a noose hanging from the middle of the ceiling or something.

IMO, for traditional residential construction, no reason to be concerned with using non-rated low-voltage cables. If you passed inspection, or have elected not to have one done, then you having nothing to worry about.

There are two reasons for cable rating.

The first is not giving off a poisonous gas when burning. This is important for plenum rated wire.

The second is to not spread fire from room to room. If your sheating is of an easily burning kind, then it will transmit fire from one room to the next, through the wall, which is obviously a bad thing. If there is a question about insurance, and the insurance inspector finds that you used unrated cable in-wall, then you could have your insurance payout diminished because of that.

In short, though, rated cable isn't that much more expensive than unrated cable, if you buy from a good bulk place, so I would go with the rating. I ended up getting a good deal on plenum rated cable from monoprice, so that's what I used for any run-my own; ready-made cables I made sure to be at least CL-2 rated.