Unlabeled cables

[alxltd]

Newbie question. I had my contractor run my speaker cables in our home theater being constucted. Problem is he did not label each cable. How can I now identify which cable is to which speaker location? Can I use a volt meter to do so? Thanks for any info. I really feel stupid about not thinking about this earlier. Guess I just assumed he would label them. Or is there a simple procedure to do this.

 

[~JC~]

Contractors!! May their livers rot!

 

[scotty11]

if you have an audio calibration dvd then you can use it to tell if the speakers are out of phase.if any of the cables are hooked up wrong you will hear it during the test tones.

AVIA is a good one (apx $40)

Scott

 

[zumbo]

If you have a digital multimeter with a continuity (beeb) check, that will work. Just use a piece of wire to connect each end of the wires, when you get a beeb, that is the corresponding end.

This is the one I have:http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103176&cp=&kw=digital+multimeter&parentPage=search

 

[alxltd]

Thanks to all. I will try the multi meter approach.

 

[zumbo]

The multimeter will come in handy. I use it to test alternaters in cars. Trace wires in cars, motorcycles, and at home. Check ohms between connections to find out if an electrical componet is bad, and so-on. It's a must-have for homeowners, mechanics, and curious people alike.

 

[mike c]

i've seen an approach like this:
install all the speakers... (since the wires go to their specific locations e.g. front left, rear right, etc.- im guessing what you dont know which is which are the connections where they all meet for the receiver/amp) get a D size battery ... connect the + and - of the wire to the + and - of the battery ... whichever speaker makes a sound - thats the wire!

waiver:
i dont know if this can damage the speakers.

 

[mike c]

btw,I think any size battery would work

 

[bobbydigital]

well I imagine it is the designation of the speaker wires connection to the amp you are concerned about just hook them up to the amp. insert any movie with thx certification any other one that has the set up precedures and figure out which one is which . If the dvd says left front but sound comes ffrom left rear then you switch them. Same thing if you have a reciever that outputs test noise to each channel. No need to use a mutli meter or circuit tester.

 

[HookedOnSound]

I would still use a multimeter or circuit tester first so you can identify the cables with a continuity test by shorting the ends of the cable (test one cable at a time) with a temporary wire (banana clip lead wire is great for this).

Once you have labelled all your cables, remove the temp wire to create an open circuit and verify with a multimeter to measure the resistance (it should be infinite) that you do in fact have an open circuit. This will help verify that you do not have a short in the cable that could have resulted during construction which could damage your equipment.

Good Luck,

 

[zumbo]

i've seen an approach like this:
install all the speakers... (since the wires go to their specific locations e.g. front left, rear right, etc.- im guessing what you dont know which is which are the connections where they all meet for the receiver/amp) get a D size battery ... connect the + and - of the wire to the + and - of the battery ... whichever speaker makes a sound - thats the wire!

waiver:
i dont know if this can damage the speakers.

Ah. Very nice indeed!

 

[Nick250]

I was thinking using all channel stereo and hooking the wires up one at a time to see where the sound came from.

 

[mike c]

welcome zumbo!

 

[pearsall001]

I'd tell the contractor to get his *** back here and re-do the wiring. Hold back on final payment until it's done to your satisfaction. I'm sure you paid him good money, & you expect the job to be done right.