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Post by multicore on Oct 3, 2019 12:29:33 GMT -5
Unfortunately, the only way to get speaker wire to some height speakers in my room will be through raceways.
I am looking for some recommendations on raceways that have worked well for others.
The raceway needs to hold 3 12-gauge speaker wires (approximately 1/4 inch in diameter) and be white in color (paintable is a plus).
Any pointers is much appreciated. Thanks.
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Post by Ex_Vintage on Oct 3, 2019 12:39:45 GMT -5
PVC - Not metal...
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Post by multicore on Oct 3, 2019 15:07:13 GMT -5
Thanks and I would agree with PVC. I was also hoping for specific product recommendations that you folks have used. |
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Post by SteveH on Oct 3, 2019 16:29:13 GMT -5
Thanks and I would agree with PVC. I was also hoping for specific product recommendations that you folks have used. It sounds like your raceway is going to be exposed, that is why you want to paint it. Without seeing what you are working with, if you use PVC, it needs to be the gray electrical rated PVC (for fire resistance), you need to run at least CL2 rated speaker wire and you cannot exceed the 60% cable fill of the conduit, this keeps everything per the NEC 2017 Code, Article 352, Article 640 and Chapter 9 Tables. Three speakers would require six 12g wires, so your approximate total area of the wire group is .212 sq/in. You would have to use at least 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC or 3/4" Schedule 80 PVC. You can buy everything you need at any home improvement store. You will find the Schedule 40 is has a much larger selection of fittings, boxes, etc. You might want to look into the flat adhesive ribbon speaker wire, that stuff lays pretty flat and can be painted, but 16g may be largest size. |
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Post by multicore on Oct 3, 2019 17:20:18 GMT -5
Thanks and I would agree with PVC. I was also hoping for specific product recommendations that you folks have used. It sounds like your raceway is going to be exposed, that is why you want to paint it. Without seeing what you are working with, if you use PVC, it needs to be the gray electrical rated PVC (for fire resistance), you need to run at least CL2 rated speaker wire and you cannot exceed the 60% cable fill of the conduit, this keeps everything per the NEC 2017 Code, Article 352, Article 640 and Chapter 9 Tables. Three speakers would require six 12g wires, so your approximate total area of the wire group is .212 sq/in. You would have to use at least 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC or 3/4" Schedule 80 PVC. You can buy everything you need at any home improvement store. You will find the Schedule 40 is has a much larger selection of fittings, boxes, etc. You might want to look into the flat adhesive ribbon speaker wire, that stuff lays pretty flat and can be painted, but 16g may be largest size. First thanks for the excellent feedback. However to clarify when I stated PVC I was thinking more about plastic versus metal, not piping (my bad). Yes it will be exposed in the room and PVC will not pass WAF. I will run the raceways along moldings to hide as much as possible. I am looking for something that is more of a purpose built product that will be less noticeable. |
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Post by SteveH on Oct 3, 2019 17:28:52 GMT -5
It sounds like your raceway is going to be exposed, that is why you want to paint it. Without seeing what you are working with, if you use PVC, it needs to be the gray electrical rated PVC (for fire resistance), you need to run at least CL2 rated speaker wire and you cannot exceed the 60% cable fill of the conduit, this keeps everything per the NEC 2017 Code, Article 352, Article 640 and Chapter 9 Tables. Three speakers would require six 12g wires, so your approximate total area of the wire group is .212 sq/in. You would have to use at least 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC or 3/4" Schedule 80 PVC. You can buy everything you need at any home improvement store. You will find the Schedule 40 is has a much larger selection of fittings, boxes, etc. You might want to look into the flat adhesive ribbon speaker wire, that stuff lays pretty flat and can be painted, but 16g may be largest size. First thanks for the excellent feedback. However to clarify when I stated PVC I was thinking more about plastic versus metal, not piping (my bad). Yes it will be exposed in the room and PVC will not pass WAF. I will run the raceways along moldings to hide as much as possible. I am looking for something that is more of a purpose built product that will be less noticeable. I guess your wife would not approve of the 'warehouse' look?  |
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Post by multicore on Oct 3, 2019 18:50:03 GMT -5
First thanks for the excellent feedback. However to clarify when I stated PVC I was thinking more about plastic versus metal, not piping (my bad). Yes it will be exposed in the room and PVC will not pass WAF. I will run the raceways along moldings to hide as much as possible. I am looking for something that is more of a purpose built product that will be less noticeable. I guess your wife would not approve of the 'warehouse' look? That is for sure as well as not being a fan of the industrial look. |
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Post by Casey Leedom on Oct 3, 2019 22:44:15 GMT -5
Have you looked at Surface Mount Electrical Conduit? It's what's used in many older homes with Lathe and Plaster to run 110V. Usually it's white or grey and intended to be painted. You can find it at almost any decent Hardware Store.
Casey
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Post by 4thchoice on Oct 4, 2019 6:28:08 GMT -5
It sounds like your raceway is going to be exposed, that is why you want to paint it. Without seeing what you are working with, if you use PVC, it needs to be the gray electrical rated PVC (for fire resistance), you need to run at least CL2 rated speaker wire and you cannot exceed the 60% cable fill of the conduit, this keeps everything per the NEC 2017 Code, Article 352, Article 640 and Chapter 9 Tables. Three speakers would require six 12g wires, so your approximate total area of the wire group is .212 sq/in. You would have to use at least 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC or 3/4" Schedule 80 PVC. You can buy everything you need at any home improvement store. You will find the Schedule 40 is has a much larger selection of fittings, boxes, etc. You might want to look into the flat adhesive ribbon speaker wire, that stuff lays pretty flat and can be painted, but 16g may be largest size. First thanks for the excellent feedback. However to clarify when I stated PVC I was thinking more about plastic versus metal, not piping (my bad). Yes it will be exposed in the room and PVC will not pass WAF. I will run the raceways along moldings to hide as much as possible. I am looking for something that is more of a purpose built product that will be less noticeable.
You mention "molding", so how about putting up some bigger molding with more space behind it to run the wires? Another option is what I did. Instead of hiding it, I "display" it by using old knob and tube standoffs at the top of the wall (in wall/ceiling corner) and run the wire thru them. The rustic look may not work for you, but it does for me/us. Just an idea.
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Post by multicore on Oct 4, 2019 10:40:16 GMT -5
Have you looked at Surface Mount Electrical Conduit? It's what's used in many older homes with Lathe and Plaster to run 110V. Usually it's white or grey and intended to be painted. You can find it at almost any decent Hardware Store. Casey Thanks. I searched both Home Depot and Lowes web sites and came up empty, even with a couple variations on the searches. Either they both don't carry it or it goes under a different name. |
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Post by multicore on Oct 4, 2019 10:42:54 GMT -5
First thanks for the excellent feedback. However to clarify when I stated PVC I was thinking more about plastic versus metal, not piping (my bad). Yes it will be exposed in the room and PVC will not pass WAF. I will run the raceways along moldings to hide as much as possible. I am looking for something that is more of a purpose built product that will be less noticeable. You mention "molding", so how about putting up some bigger molding with more space behind it to run the wires? Another option is what I did. Instead of hiding it, I "display" it by using old knob and tube standoffs at the top of the wall (in wall/ceiling corner) and run the wire thru them. The rustic look may not work for you, but it does for me/us. Just an idea.
Good Ideas. I like the molding suggestion, unfortunately there are faux beams so replacing the molding is not an option. Wife will never go for nob and tube. But thanks. |
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Post by geeqner on Oct 4, 2019 12:32:03 GMT -5
I think that Wiremold (part of LeGrand) and Panduit may have what you are looking for www.legrand.us/wiremold/at-home/on-wall-wiring/nonmetallic-raceway/nmw1-nm1-wire-channel.aspxwww.netwes.com/catalog/shop/Wire-Duct-Wireway/Panduit/mfr-1Z8?a=1Other companies make stuff that looks like hollow crown-molding, that could be run along junction of wall/ceiling, with wires run inside: (Just search Internet for "Crown Molding Wireway") A few additional thoughts: If this is only for Height / Rear Channels - which generally require lower Wattage, you can probably run wiring lighter than #12 AWG (#16 AWG will probably be sufficient and will fit into much smaller Surface Raceways, which makes everything "less fugly") You will probably be better-off with Surface Raceway that is wider/flatter instead of narrower / taller - I think that the flatter stuff looks better Also, instead of using the manufacturer's angle-fittings, if you're careful, you can sometimes miter the seams, which saves money and the fittings are sometimes "fugly". Not sure about HOW you are running the wires (along floor and then UP to each Speaker, or Partially concealed within wall and then up/over to Speakers?) If the wiring will be / can be PARTIALLY concealed within the wall - Wiremold and Panduit have box adapters that can be used for neat transitions. If you know somebody who works in Fire Alarm / Security - have them get you a few samples of "Nice Duc" material from your local ADI |
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Post by multicore on Oct 4, 2019 17:38:06 GMT -5
I think that Wiremold (part of LeGrand) and Panduit may have what you are looking for www.legrand.us/wiremold/at-home/on-wall-wiring/nonmetallic-raceway/nmw1-nm1-wire-channel.aspxwww.netwes.com/catalog/shop/Wire-Duct-Wireway/Panduit/mfr-1Z8?a=1Other companies make stuff that looks like hollow crown-molding, that could be run along junction of wall/ceiling, with wires run inside: (Just search Internet for "Crown Molding Wireway") A few additional thoughts: If this is only for Height / Rear Channels - which generally require lower Wattage, you can probably run wiring lighter than #12 AWG (#16 AWG will probably be sufficient and will fit into much smaller Surface Raceways, which makes everything "less fugly") You will probably be better-off with Surface Raceway that is wider/flatter instead of narrower / taller - I think that the flatter stuff looks better Also, instead of using the manufacturer's angle-fittings, if you're careful, you can sometimes miter the seams, which saves money and the fittings are sometimes "fugly". Not sure about HOW you are running the wires (along floor and then UP to each Speaker, or Partially concealed within wall and then up/over to Speakers?) If the wiring will be / can be PARTIALLY concealed within the wall - Wiremold and Panduit have box adapters that can be used for neat transitions. If you know somebody who works in Fire Alarm / Security - have them get you a few samples of "Nice Duc" material from your local ADI Thanks for the suggestions. |
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