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beside electrical wire for more than a few
feet. Try to keep speaker wire running
parallel to power cables at least three feet
away. To find exactly where an electrical
cable is routed, try inspecting the inside of
the wall by turning off the breaker for a
particular power outlet or switch, remov-
ing the cover plate and switch or recepta-
cle, and shining a penlight into the wall. If
you have access to an attic or basement
space you can quickly see which part of
the wall space is free of obstructions
(See Figure 9).
When you don’t have access
above or below the wall, try
to estimate the existing wire
and pipe locations from the
positions of electrical outlets
and plumbed fixtures on both
sides of the wall. Take a look
at the outside of your house
too, sometimes conduit, vents
or drain pipe will
be visible that give useful
information. Choose the route
with the fewest potential
obstacles.
If your house is built on a slab
or you are wiring between
two finished floors, look for
baseboards which could be
removed and replaced with
the wire behind them.
Doorjambs can be removed
and often have enough space
for loudspeaker wire all the way around
the door
(See Figure10).
Sometimes, an under-the-carpet run is
possible (there are special flat loudspeaker
wires made for under-the-rug wire runs).
As a last resort, heating and air conditioning
vents can be used as wire raceways for
plenum rated wire (check your local
building codes, some municipalities
require conduit).
11
Installation Fundamentals
Figure 8
Figure 9
Unobstructed space
for loudspeaker
wiring
Loudspeaker
Location
Volume
Control
Location
Stereo
Location