4ft in wall run, non-CL

E

eyeage30

Enthusiast
My surrounds are mounted on the wall. To get to them I went under the baseboard. Getting up to them I went through the wall. I don't have CL rated wire, and I didn't think about that until after it was done... I cross an electric wire at a 90 degree a foot from where the wire comes out. Am I really going to burn my house down this way? Do I need to rip the wire and get raceways, CL rated wire, or will I be fine like this?

Also, I have a similar issue on the other side. I haven't yet run that wire, but it's very close to the outlet. When I run the wire up, it'll be on the other side of the 2x4 that the outlet box (and the electric wire) is on. It'll then cross the electric wire at a 90 degree after 2 ft of parallel at that 2x4. Should I insulate this wire with some kind of shrink wrap or conduit to protect from interference (or worse, fire), or will this be a non-issue?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 
Swerd

Swerd

Audioholic Warlord
Am I really going to burn my house down this way? Do I need to rip the wire and get raceways, CL rated wire, or will I be fine like this?
No you wont start a fire this way. Speaker wire is considered low voltage, like door bell wire or phone wires. Depending on your local building code, it may be allowed to use non-CL rated wire for this. Check it out to be sure.

Here is the argument for using CL rated wire. If you ever do have a fire, and the insurance inspector sees the non-CL wire in the wall, he might use that to cause trouble with your claim. Some insurance companies will do most anything to avoid paying a claim.
 
highfigh

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
My surrounds are mounted on the wall. To get to them I went under the baseboard. Getting up to them I went through the wall. I don't have CL rated wire, and I didn't think about that until after it was done... I cross an electric wire at a 90 degree a foot from where the wire comes out. Am I really going to burn my house down this way? Do I need to rip the wire and get raceways, CL rated wire, or will I be fine like this?

Also, I have a similar issue on the other side. I haven't yet run that wire, but it's very close to the outlet. When I run the wire up, it'll be on the other side of the 2x4 that the outlet box (and the electric wire) is on. It'll then cross the electric wire at a 90 degree after 2 ft of parallel at that 2x4. Should I insulate this wire with some kind of shrink wrap or conduit to protect from interference (or worse, fire), or will this be a non-issue?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

If you're thinking of doing anything like heat shrink tubing or conduit to the existing wire, just replace it with CL rated cable. It will take less time and be cheaper. Plus, it will satisfy code requirements.

The receiver or amp is unlikely to cause the wire to burn, but lightning could. The reason zip cord shouldn't be in-wall is that the insulation is PVC and has almost no resistance to heat. It also gives off toxic fumes when it burns. Tie/tape a piece of CL rated cable onto the zip cord, pull it through the wall and be done with it.
 
jinjuku

jinjuku

Moderator
I'll third the responses for good measure.

CL is your insurance policy AGAINST your insurance company. Don't give them a leg to stand on in denying your claim.
 

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