[jmcomp124]

I have all the required ingredients to build Jon Risch's DIY speaker cables and recently decided to run them in the crawl space to go across the living room (from amp to speaker) for the frontl left speaker.

For SBL, SBR and SL speakers, I am thinking of the Home Depot 12Guage speaker wire. The crawl space has insulation. Is it safe to run these wires in the crawl space ? Any precautions or hints ?

Thanks,

-Jai

 

[jmcomp124]

19 views and no responses ! Anyone ?

Thanks,

-Jai

 

[HarmsWay]

Well that's exactly what I used. Everything except the SR speaker goes through the crawl space using Home Depot 12 AWG.

 

[jmcomp124]

So it looks like you have done your research on the 12G HD wire and it is safe. HOw about the Belden #89259 for the crawl space ? Anyone use this through the crawl space ?

Thanks,

-Jai

 

[HarmsWay]

Actually, it just so happens that I use 89259 to feed my sub via the crawl space. Only because that's what I had laying around at the moment. It's rated for outdoor and direct burial, so it wouldn't be a problem for a crawl space, but why not just use some RG-6? It's probably cheaper and better although I can't say that without knowing your application. I'm assuming video, where a solid bare copper centre conductor and foil/braid shielding are preferred. The 89259 with its stranded centre conductor and braid shielding makes a nice flexible interconnect though.

 

[jmcomp124]

Thanks for your input. Reg the Belden 89259 for speaker wire, visit this link Jon Risch's DIY speaker cables that I posted in the first post in this thread.

-Jai

 

[peebee]

Any cable you would run on your living room floor will also be fine in your crawl space. It will be safe.


The National Electric Code (NEC) generally lets you do whatever you want with systems running at less than 50 volts. That's why cable TV & phone wires are nearly always run exposed (not in conduit).


There's one major exception: plenum-rated cabling is required in air-conditioning ducts, and above suspended ceilings where the ceiling space is being used as an air return (this is VERY unusual in residential installations, but rather common in commercial spaces). Plenum-rated cable does not use PVC for insulation, so it does not off-gas chlorine when it burns. But you don't have to worry too much about that, I'm about positive that your crawl space is not a plenum.


Other than that, a few local jurisdictions might technically require that your wiring be installed in conduit, if you tried to get a building permit for your speaker wiring. Most jurisdictions would not. And most people would not permit their speaker installation.


So, no matter what you do with your speaker wiring, you should be OK.


Don't worry, be happy.