I am wiring a home for Audio\Theatre,and DBS tv.My knowledge within the realm of audio cabling is lacking.Can you give me some advice on cable AWG,NEC requirments for Residential in-wall,etc.Can I run this with the coax for the DBS.Links,brands,experience would be helpful.Thanks.
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Home audio,Theatre advice
- Thread starter rpearson
- Start date
mikeydidit
IS-IT--Management
RG-59 is still OK but I would recommend you use RG-6. This is a very good grade of cable for cable TV/Satellite TV. See thread number 513216. If you find any mistakes, please consider that they are there for a purpose. And everyone needs a purpose.
Hope this helps, Mikey.
Hope this helps, Mikey.
daronwilson
Vendor
The audio cabling can be run with the DBS wiring no problem.
First - video cabling should be RG6 minimum. If you plan on wiring to standard, you would have 2 runs per outlet. If you think you might want to run CCTV or direct video over your coax, put in solid copper center conductor RG6. The other RG6 is copper coated steel and is not so good for video or CCTV.
Second - audio wiring. It depends on what type of system you are using. If you are going to be doing surround speakers running them all off the amplifier I would do at least 16 gage for the background type speakers. Foreground and good sized speakers and/or longer runs of cable I would go to 14 gage. As for cable and the NEC, be sure it is rated for in wall use (CM, CL2, CL3) as much of the 'zipcord' type isnt rated.
Third - NEC, code, etc. Just be sure you do what is required in your jurisdiction, it varies. I would at least put rated wire in, don't share holes in the studs with electrical wire (happens too often), keep the separation what it should be between the electrical wire and the audio cabling (12-15" is my preference) and only cross it at right angles. I prefer to use electrical box 'mud rings' which can be screwed to the stud and then allow you the entire inside of the wall space to make up your wiring. Depending on how many wires you have out of one box, it can be real tight inside a box.
Good Luck! It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com
First - video cabling should be RG6 minimum. If you plan on wiring to standard, you would have 2 runs per outlet. If you think you might want to run CCTV or direct video over your coax, put in solid copper center conductor RG6. The other RG6 is copper coated steel and is not so good for video or CCTV.
Second - audio wiring. It depends on what type of system you are using. If you are going to be doing surround speakers running them all off the amplifier I would do at least 16 gage for the background type speakers. Foreground and good sized speakers and/or longer runs of cable I would go to 14 gage. As for cable and the NEC, be sure it is rated for in wall use (CM, CL2, CL3) as much of the 'zipcord' type isnt rated.
Third - NEC, code, etc. Just be sure you do what is required in your jurisdiction, it varies. I would at least put rated wire in, don't share holes in the studs with electrical wire (happens too often), keep the separation what it should be between the electrical wire and the audio cabling (12-15" is my preference) and only cross it at right angles. I prefer to use electrical box 'mud rings' which can be screwed to the stud and then allow you the entire inside of the wall space to make up your wiring. Depending on how many wires you have out of one box, it can be real tight inside a box.
Good Luck! It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com
If you are using Dig Sat, make sure the cable is quad shield RG6 that is tested to 2.2ghz min. The higher quality Sat cables are usally alum foil & shld, w/ a solid center copper conductor. This is the best choice. Composite/CCTV signal is baseband and travels down the middle of the center conductor. DSS also throws power out to the LNB, which makes the solid copper better in that situation, even though it is a broadband signal.
Broadband CATV runs on the outside of the center conductor, w/o power, hence the lower cost copper covered steel conductor, but it will run fine on a solid copper conductor. Copper is a better conductor, just more expensive.
RG59 is used for dedicated CCTV ONLY, IMHO, and then it is copper shld and center conductor anyways.
Daron has it right on the audio, but I would make sure it is a high strand count or an oxygen free copper.
If it is a home theater, i would use 14ga minimum. Who actually knows what you will need for <Dolby DTS Pro Logic THX Digital 12.9 (sic)> or whatever they come up w/ in a few years. If it is just Multi-Zone Distributed Audio system 16ga HS/OF would be fine for runs under 100'.
One thing i have started adding to ceiling speaker runs is a cat5e cable, shilded is better, from spkr to keypad/Vol Cntrl, to audio headend, for IR control or distribution in the future.
mnmcomm
The best price is not always the best value
Broadband CATV runs on the outside of the center conductor, w/o power, hence the lower cost copper covered steel conductor, but it will run fine on a solid copper conductor. Copper is a better conductor, just more expensive.
RG59 is used for dedicated CCTV ONLY, IMHO, and then it is copper shld and center conductor anyways.
Daron has it right on the audio, but I would make sure it is a high strand count or an oxygen free copper.
If it is a home theater, i would use 14ga minimum. Who actually knows what you will need for <Dolby DTS Pro Logic THX Digital 12.9 (sic)> or whatever they come up w/ in a few years. If it is just Multi-Zone Distributed Audio system 16ga HS/OF would be fine for runs under 100'.
One thing i have started adding to ceiling speaker runs is a cat5e cable, shilded is better, from spkr to keypad/Vol Cntrl, to audio headend, for IR control or distribution in the future.
mnmcomm
The best price is not always the best value
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