Running speaker wire inside walls requires planning and care to ensure safety and performance. Here's a breakdown of how to do it:
1. Planning and Safety
- Turn off the power: Before starting any electrical work, always disconnect the power to the circuit you'll be working near.
- Check for obstructions: Use a stud finder to locate studs and avoid drilling into them. Also, be mindful of existing wiring or plumbing.
- Choose the right wire: Use CL2 or CL3 rated speaker wire, which is designed for in-wall use and meets fire safety codes. It's more expensive, but provides necessary safety.
- Plan your route: Decide on the path the wire will take from the source (amplifier/receiver) to the speakers. Minimize sharp bends and keep the wire away from potential sources of interference, such as power cables.
- Use wall plates: Terminate the in-wall wire at both ends with speaker wall plates for a clean, professional look and easy connection.
2. Tools and Materials
- Speaker wire (CL2 or CL3 rated)
- Fish tape or electrical snake
- Drill
- Hole saw or drill bit (appropriate size for wire and wall plates)
- Stud finder
- Wire strippers
- Screwdrivers
- Tape (electrical or masking)
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Wall plates (for speakers)
3. Running the Wire
- Cut access holes: Drill holes at the starting and ending points for the speaker wire, large enough to accommodate the wire and the wall plates. Typically, use a hole saw that matches the diameter of the low voltage mounting brackets that will be used.
- Feed the fish tape: Insert the fish tape into one of the holes and carefully push it through the wall cavity.
- Navigate obstructions: Gently maneuver the fish tape around any obstacles you encounter. Bending the tip slightly can help.
- Retrieve the tape: Once the fish tape reaches the other hole, use pliers or your fingers to grab the end.
- Attach the speaker wire: Securely attach the speaker wire to the end of the fish tape using electrical tape. Make sure the connection is strong and streamlined to prevent snags.
- Pull the wire: Carefully pull the fish tape back through the wall, bringing the speaker wire with it. Avoid pulling too hard, which could damage the wire or the wall.
- Leave slack: Leave a sufficient amount of slack wire at both ends for connecting to the speakers and amplifier/receiver.
- Install wall plates: Connect the speaker wire to the speaker terminals on the wall plates and mount the plates to the wall.
4. Connecting the Wire
- Terminate the wire: Strip the ends of the speaker wire and connect them to the appropriate terminals on the speakers and amplifier/receiver.
- Maintain polarity: Ensure that the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals are connected correctly at both ends to avoid phase cancellation.
- Test the connection: Once everything is connected, test the speaker system to ensure that all speakers are working correctly.
5. Tips and Considerations
- Use existing pathways: If possible, utilize existing pathways in the wall, such as those used for electrical wiring.
- Avoid sharp bends: Sharp bends in the speaker wire can degrade the signal quality.
- Consider conduit: For added protection and future flexibility, consider running the speaker wire through a conduit.
- Label the wires: Label the speaker wires at both ends for easy identification and troubleshooting.
- Professional Installation: If you're uncomfortable performing this task yourself, consider hiring a professional installer.
