How close to power can I run in-wall speaker wire and HDMI cables?

[Gunslinger08]

Title says it all. Finishing my basement and I need to figure out how far away to get my speaker wire and HDMI cables from power wire.

 

[pcgeek11]

There are too many variables involved for you to get a defined answer. With properly shielded cables you could run them side by side zip tied together with no adverse effects.

When in doubt set the system up and bundle the cables together and see what effects it has. More than likely it will not effect anything.

 

[sivart]

I try to put low voltage and high voltage away from each other as much as possible. If not possible, at least on opposite sides of the stud.

With a quality shielded cable, you should have no problem running low voltage together.

 

[Modelworks]

Recommended distance is at least 18 inches.

 

[Gunslinger08]

I'm using in-wall rated speaker wire and HDMI cables, though I'm not sure if that rating is just for fire retardation or not.

 

[Modelworks]

I'm using in-wall rated speaker wire and HDMI cables, though I'm not sure if that rating is just for fire retardation or not.

Usually it will say plenum rated on the cable if it is fire rated. That doesn't mean it will not catch fire, just that if it does catch fire it will not continue to burn like a fuse does to a powder keg.


You don't need plenum rated unless you are running it inside a wall between floors and even then you can still use regular cable as long as you attach fire stops. Basically a collar on the cable that keeps the fire from spreading the fire along the length of the cable.