We are almost done with our electrical wiring. I'm just waiting for Monoprice.com to get the speaker wires in stock so I can start wiring up for the speakers and projector.

I also would like to use the Orange "Smurf tubes" but I can't find them locally in MN. Can someone recommend a reputable online place with good price to order from? Also I need to get 4 sconces. Anyone know of good one or good place? I need something that's not too wide, maybe 4-6"?

Anything else I should be doing at this stage that I maybe forgetting about.

Thank you.

I also would like to use the Orange "Smurf tubes" but I can't find them locally in MN. Can someone recommend a reputable online place with good price to order from? Also I need to get 4 sconces. Anyone know of good one or good place? I need something that's not too wide, maybe 4-6"?
Thank you.

You cannot get the larger diameter flex conduit from the big box stores. I ended up going to a local electrical supply shop. This place in particular caters to professional electricians, but took my business. You might check on some place similar.
Ask for flexible conduit by a company called Carlon. I think their website might also have a list of distributors who you can contact to find a local supplier.
I found that the pricing from my local supplier was much better than what was available on the web, especially when accounting for shipping. In some cases you can get custom cut lengths.

I bought all of my sconces from http://www.csnlighting.com/.
They had aggressive pricing and a huge selection. Using their advanced search tool helps a lot.

Good luck.

I just got my 2" tubing from hometech.com. I had a hard time finding it on the web. Local supply stores aren't an option with my work schedule!

Thanks guys. I appreciate your help.

Thanks guys. I appreciate your help.

Looks like Smufs are not always blue:

http://www.carlonsales.com/flexplusblueent.php

I just got my 2" tubing from hometech.com. I had a hard time finding it on the web. Local supply stores aren't an option with my work schedule!

A few more suggestions:

http://www.arncocorp.com/Product.aspx?PAGE_ID=97

http://www.americantechsupply.com/rboccarriercontracts.htm

http://cableorganizer.com/wire-loom/colored.html

A few more suggestions:

http://www.arncocorp.com/Product.aspx?PAGE_ID=97

http://www.americantechsupply.com/rboccarriercontracts.htm

http://cableorganizer.com/wire-loom/colored.html

Thanks.

Where is the best place for LED rope light? I need about 40 feet of it.

Here's where I found 2" conduit:

http://www.hometech.com/hts/products/wiring/raceways/index.html#CN-SCX4X1

Good Luck!

Not sure exactly what Smurf Tubes are ... but if I'm reading this right you are looking to run some sort of conduit within the walls/ceiling to run wires inside ?

If this is the case, I used "Central Vac PVC piping" 2" .... not bendable, but a few elbows here and there and it worked like a dream. Available at all hardware stores and very cheap.

Just remember to use the elbows sparingly as you do have to pull wires through later, and the pipe is rigid.

Not sure if this helps, but there you go :)

Smarthome has it too - shipping is pricey on this stuff. If you can find it local, it will be a better deal in most cases.

I remember one guy used a thick flexible conduit that was I think meant for a pool vacuum. Not "code" but the Carlon is spec'd for real electrical stuff - not the low voltage stuff we do.

BTW, just in case no one else has noted this, the larger orange conduitis called Resi-Gard Raceway conduit (made my Carlon). They come in 1.5" / 2" and larger diameters. While the blue smurf tubes, also made by Carlon, come in 1/2" and 3/4" sizes.


Here is the cheapest place I found them online, I got 100 feet of the 1.5" Resi-Gard Raceway roll for a $107 plus only $14 shipping, they were by far the cheapest by about 10% overall.

http://consumerelectronics.escstores.com/carlonsch4x1c-50resi-gardraceway-15.aspx

I used the Carlon Resi-Gard during construction to allow me to later run wires from the basement to the attic. I purchased it from the local Graybar (http://www.graybar.com/index.html) location. They were really good to work with even though they had to transfer it over from another state.

Not sure exactly what Smurf Tubes are ... but if I'm reading this right you are looking to run some sort of conduit within the walls/ceiling to run wires inside ?

If this is the case, I used "Central Vac PVC piping" 2" .... not bendable, but a few elbows here and there and it worked like a dream. Available at all hardware stores and very cheap.

Just remember to use the elbows sparingly as you do have to pull wires through later, and the pipe is rigid.

Not sure if this helps, but there you go :)

I was beginning to look at this as alternative since I couldn't find the low voltage tubing near me.

Thanks for the feedback. It's nice to know that this will also work.

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I see some great resources listed here.

Besides the tube & clamp what other items should I be getting to complete my wiring? Low voltage gang box? I'm thinking of going to go with 1" carlon tubes to house my speaker wires for my 7.1. What is the rule of thumb on # of clamps (i.e. 1 every 4')?

Thanks.

You just need enough clamps to keep things stable and prevent rattle. One every four feet sounds like a good starting point.

If you are at all concerned about sound proofing, you don't want to use low voltage boxes. Use regular boxes and putty them, or build back boxes.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/mdrueen/IMG_0034-1.jpg

For the speaker wire, I only poked the wire through the drywall. If I ever need to replace the wire I'll enlarge the hole so that I can get to the string.

Here is a photo of another box I used at a non-theater location. In the theater room i would have built this inside an MDF backer box. But still it may give you some ideas.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/mdrueen/IMG_0026-1.jpg

I found at Home depot when I was looking for conduit the cheapest stuff they carried was actually the flexible tubing for sump pumps ... came in a roll of 20 or 25 ft black in colour and about 1 1/2" diameter for $10.00 CDN

I've seen multiple references to putty/"putty pads", but I haven't a clue where to buy them, nor do the guys in the orange jackets. Any more detail/pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Electrical and plumbing supply houses will have them.

http://www.toolbarn.com/images/3m/98040055240.jpg

http://www.toolbarn.com/product/mmm/98040055240/?ref=base

Ted at the Soundproofing company has them too, albeit in 10-packs:

http://store.soundproofingcompany.com/product_p/putty-pads.htm

I guess orange Smurf tube would be an oxymoron.

Like dead livestock.

You just need enough clamps to keep things stable and prevent rattle. One every four feet sounds like a good starting point.

If you are at all concerned about sound proofing, you don't want to use low voltage boxes. Use regular boxes and putty them, or build back boxes.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/mdrueen/IMG_0034-1.jpg

For the speaker wire, I only poked the wire through the drywall. If I ever need to replace the wire I'll enlarge the hole so that I can get to the string.

Here is a photo of another box I used at a non-theater location. In the theater room i would have built this inside an MDF backer box. But still it may give you some ideas.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/mdrueen/IMG_0026-1.jpg

Is that picture of 2" tube in the high voltage gang box? How did you get the carlon adapter in there?

Also if you have these low voltage tubes coming from 7 speakers how do you consolidate them to your rack? Is there some type of organizer or box?

I screwed the box down and then used a drill bit. Not the box in the previous image, but this will get you going.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/mdrueen/IMG_0022.jpg

As for the equipment closet. Here are the tube locations before and after drywall.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/mdrueen/IMG_0033-1.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/mdrueen/IMG_0199-1.jpg

Do you have any advice for someone who is just begging to wire?

Another place that you might want to try for sconces is lightingtheweb (http://www.lightingtheweb.com)

For my bigger dia run to projector only, planning on using plain old PVC conduit like this http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100355472&N=10000003+502790+90139

Anyone know whether this meets NEC for a low voltage conduit (HDMI etc)?

I'm sure I've seen this used in a number of threads but am unsure if those were being inspected or not.

For my bigger dia run to projector only, planning on using plain old PVC conduit like this http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100355472&N=10000003+502790+90139

Anyone know whether this meets NEC for a low voltage conduit (HDMI etc)?

I'm sure I've seen this used in a number of threads but am unsure if those were being inspected or not.
Link didn't work.

I think conduit for carrying LV cable must be UL listed (so you're not supposed to use white plumbing PVC, or garden hose), per 2008 NEC - please correct me if I'm wrong, don't have a copy of the NEC with me.

Blue smurf tube and other ENT (electrical nonmetallic tubing) are designed to accomodate high voltage (but could be used for LV). Orange Carlon Resigard, Risergard, and Plenumgard are designed for LV, and are to be used exclusively for LV. Most are made of PVC.

If one needs an inspector's eventual approval, call the inspector and clear the type of conduit before buying and installing. Some inspectors make take issue with the type of floor penetrations (floor penetrations are supposed to be fire rated - may need a rigid piece here - check the Carlon catalog), and the orange color. Depends on how lucky you get. Also, you're supposed to use 'fire-rated' caulk around floor penetrations.

Your local electrical supply house will likely carry the Carlon orange flex conduit, or they can special order the size you want. They usually open 6-6:30A weekdays, but may have limited or no Sat hours.

I just went through this process, a few weeks ago, with the local inspector. He was unfamiliar with the Carlon orange flex products, but I emailed him brochures and docs from Carlon, and he was cool with it.

Call the local electric supply houses, and find out what flexible conduit they have available, at what prices, and at what lengths. They can special order diameters that they don't have in stock - ask for a quote.

They might sell it by the foot, or as 50' coils. Or 500' coils.

The orange Carlon flex conduit is also available in other colors - though you may need to order 10K feet minimum.

Some of these flex conduits can be bought as 'split' - to be installed around existing wires. Though for LV applications, you'd never do this - the conduit is to aid in future wire pulls, and not to reduce the risk of fire.

I have purchased all my conduit from MCM Electronics.

http://mcmelectronics.com/product/CARLON-SCJ4X1C-50-/28-17215

Luckly MCM and Parts Express are up the road from my house.