So you have your back yard all landscaped, you have the barbeque installed, the patio furniture is on the way and now you decide it is time to install some outdoor speakers. You realize that the outdoor patio speakers are a piece of cake to wire but now you realize you want to install some rock speakers on the other side of the garden, out by the pool, or out by the new patio furniture in the yard. So now you start to strategize on how you are going to get speaker wire out to the areas you want to place the speakers. So you decide to start looking for some direct burial speaker wire because you have decided just to dig a little trench, put the direct burial speaker wire in the ground, and just bury the wire. The truth is that this installation method in not at all recommended. Your first response to this may be to ask why not? The reality is that burying any wire or cable directly in the dirt is never recommended. Especially if you desire a long lasting installation!
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The truth is only a few cables are truly rated to be buried directly into the ground. And for sure direct burial speaker wire is not. Most true underground cables have special jackets along with a special material in the cable such as gel, powder, or water block tape that assists the cable from keeping out moisture while buried. Direct burial speaker wire does not offer any special material internally to protect the internal conductors. Commonly most direct burial rated speaker wire products offer a thicker than average PE rated jacket that give the internal conductors some extra protection against the weather and the sun. But it is still not made to be put directly in the dirt.
The best strategy when installing speaker wire in the ground is to dig a trench and drop some PVC or flexible conduit into the trench for you to later pull your cable through. This will give your direct burial speaker wire a longer installation life. The reality is if you bury the speaker wire right into the ground you will eventually have corrosion which will lead to damaged or non-working cables. The kicker is once the cable is corroded and damaged you will have to re-dig your trench to pull the damaged cable out while having to re-install new wire. If you have a conduit in place and for some reason your direct burial speaker wire has issues it is very easy to simply pull the cable out of the conduit at the same time you pull a new cable. No digging is needed. Not to mention you may realize later you want to install other cable types in those conduits, so it may be smart to leave a pull string in the conduit just in case. You never know about the future with so many new high tech products coming out in the market place. There is a good chance that one day you may want to use that same conduit to install different cable types. So plan for the future!
In the end you can bury direct burial speaker wire in the ground but the question will be how long will it take for it to corrode and have to be replaced. Do you really want to re-dig your back yard up every few years? Or does it make sense to put conduit in those trenches and do it right the first time. Remember direct burial rated does not actually mean just throw the cable in the ground and bury it! We always suggest you use the best installation practices when installing any low voltage cables.
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FAQs
Low voltage cabling refers to the installation of cables and wiring that carry low voltage electrical signals, usually below 50 volts. It is used for a variety of applications including data communication, audio/visual systems, security systems, and lighting control systems.
How much does a cable drop cost? ›
Typically, per drop cabling prices range from $200 – $300 per drop depending on the type of cable (Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6a), average drop length, and also the number of cables and faceplates for the project.
Is cat 6 considered low-voltage? ›
Types of low-voltage cabling include:
Cat5 and Cat6 cables that handle ethernet connections.
What type of cable must be used in order to provide low-voltage power to network devices using their network connection? ›
Some of the more common types of cables used in low-voltage wiring include: Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable — Cat 6 or 6a cables are the ones most often used in homes today. Fiber optic cable — Used for long distance runs. It's difficult to work with and requires specialized crimping tools and connectors.
What is the best wire for low voltage? ›
If you're looking for a long-lasting and durable option, the Southwire Low Voltage Wire is the right choice for all your wiring needs. This wire simplifies the installation process, allowing you to set up lighting and other appliances on your own so you can save on labor and material costs.
What qualifies as low voltage? ›
Low voltage has multiple meanings in the electric/electronic world. A common rule of thumb is that anything below 600 volts is considered low voltage. Factories that use automation can use multiple voltages. Dividing the electrical use into supply and controls aids in understanding the usage.
How much does it cost to run CAT-6 cable in a house? ›
Upgrading to CAT-6 cable provides the speed and reliability needed for your home or business Internet and networking needs. The national average cost of CAT-6 installation is $2,000 to $5,000, with most people paying about $3,800 for 2,000 feet of CAT-6 cable and eight drops professionally installed.
What is the maximum length per drop cable? ›
Standards for cable distance recommend that Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a cables have a maximum cable segment run length of 100 meters or 328 feet.
How much does cable charge? ›
Average monthly cost ranges from around $40 to $145 or more, depending on the provider and number of channels.
Is it okay to run Cat6 next to electrical wire? ›
NEVER run communications cable in the same pathway as 120V or higher electrical wiring unless the pathway has a listed divider or permanent barrier to keep them separate.
In addition, electrical wiring and low voltage power sources must comply with Class 2 of the National Electric Code (NEC). The code was developed to avoid electrical shock and fire. As a result, most licensed electricians and security integrators see the NEC as the industry standard for electrical standards.
Do you need an electrician to run network cable? ›
DIY vs Professional Installation
While technically an electrician is not required for installing ethernet cable, it can be beneficial to hire one for more complex installations or if you're not comfortable working with wiring.
What are two methods commonly used to join low voltage cables? ›
Cold shrink, heat shrink and resin type cable joints suit the operating requirements for the jointing of LV cables in industrial, marine and offshore, oil and gas, substation and utilities, rail and electrical construction sectors where high quality and performance joints ensure the continued distribution of power ...
How to tell if a wire is low voltage? ›
Low-voltage wiring typically has a thinner sheathing or jacket. For example, 12-gauge wire is used for both 120 V household devices and for lower voltage landscape lights.
How to run a low voltage cable? ›
If it is run parallel, keep it at least 12 inches apart. If you want to install structured cabling or a separate low-voltage network safely, do so at a 90-degree angle if it needs to cross.
What is considered low voltage power line? ›
Low-voltage lines (120–600 V)
These are the lines that connect houses to the power grid. The term “low-voltage lines” may make it sound like they aren't dangerous. But they are.
How do I know if my cable is low voltage? ›
The best way to make sure that the cable is a low-voltage one is to see the markings on the surface of the cable that explicitly indicate that cables are low-voltage. Low-voltage cables often have stamps on their jacket or sheathing that effectively tell you all information you need to identify them.
What is the standard for low voltage power cables? ›
There are a few different standards that apply to low-voltage cabling. The most common standard is the ANSI/TIA-568 standard, which covers twisted pair cables. The ANSI/TIA-568 standard includes specifications for cable type, wire size, insulation material, and maximum transmission distance.
Is cat 5 cable low voltage? ›
Computers: Companies utilize data cables and networks for various tasks, including communicating with people, devices, and IP management. Behind most computers, you'll find Cat5, 6, or 7 network cables connected with an RJ45. Remember that none of these power infrastructural technologies require low-voltage wiring.
