Speaker Wire Connection Question

[parodielin]

My basement has two speaker wires for surrounds but they do not have markings on them and are burried under the carpet. Is there anyway I can know which one is positive and which one is negative?

Thanks!

[Wolf]

My basement has two speaker wires for surrounds but they do not have markings on them and are burried under the carpet. Is there anyway I can know which one is positive and which one is negative?

Thanks!

You can attach a wire and use a DMM for a continuity check.
Later,
Wolf

[Æ]

My basement has two speaker wires for surrounds but they do not have markings on them and are burried under the carpet. Is there anyway I can know which one is positive and which one is negative?

Thanks!

Sometimes speaker wire has a marking, not one you can see but one you can feel. A slightly raised ridge.
Other times the two actual copper wires are different color. One plain copper color and the other a plated or tinned silver color.

Hook up a woofer at one end of the wire and a 9 volt battery at the other end of the wire. If the woofer cone moves outward that is positive polarity and if the woofer cone moves inward that is negative polarity. Then use a marker and mark the two wires, one positive and the other negative

[Wolf]

Another viable alternative!
Wolf

[parodielin]

I will use a woofer. Now I need to get one from PE. :D

The wires are inside the wall with two terminal plates on the wall. I'll take another look to see if I can identify some clues from the wires.

Thanks!


Sometimes speaker wire has a marking, not one you can see but one you can feel. A slightly raised ridge.
Other times the two actual copper wires are different color. One plain copper color and the other a plated or tinned silver color.

Hook up a woofer at one end of the wire and a 9 volt battery at the other end of the wire. If the woofer cone moves outward that is positive polarity and if the woofer cone moves inward that is negative polarity. Then use a marker and mark the two wires, one positive and the other negative

[Æ]

I will use a woofer. Now I need to get one from PE. :D

The wires are inside the wall with two terminal plates on the wall. I'll take another look to see if I can identify some clues from the wires.

Thanks!

You could use a voltmeter (DMM) at the other end instead of a woofer.
Any junky old speaker will work, it doesn't have to be a big woofer, but it needs to be able to handle at least 10 watts of power if it's an 8 ohm speaker.