Re: backbone for structured wiring

["wkearney99" <wkearney99@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> You've specified systems that have centralized amps, and systems that
> have keypad-based amps. If you want to accommodate both, you'll have to
> run speaker wires to each speaker from both the wiring closet and the
> keypad location in each room. (Or run a single pair of speaker wires
> from the wiring closet to the keypad location, loop it a few times,
> then continue on to the speakers)

One way is to run 4-wire 14ga to the keypad locations and then run 2-wire
14ga to each left/right speaker location.  It's usually easier to run a
4-wire home run than two 2 pairs.  Inside the box you splice the connection
with something like small eurostyle terminal blocks.  Otherwise you end up
running the 4-wire all the way through to one speaker location and then over
to the other.  Not always as easy as running each leg independently.  But if
the walls are already open it's just a matter of preference and possibly
some (small?) difference in costs for the wire.

By running the wire throught the wall plate junction box you can accomodate
either style of system; central or keypad amps.  For central amps you just
splice through, for keypad amps you end up ignoring the home-run lines.  As
in, if at some point you want to switch from A-Bus to Russound CAV66 (or zon
or whatever) you won't have to pull any new wire.  Bear in mind there are
some special situations you may want to plan for ahead of time.  Like
wanting to use in-room devices with the in-wall speakers.  Some systems
handle in-room inputs locally while others require home-run or other things
for it.  Most of the time it's a lot less hassle to use central equipment
than to try integrating in-room stuff.

-Bill Kearney