fcbarcelona Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 While remodeling my apartment I ran what I believe is 10 gauge speaker wire from my livingroom to my kitchen. I purchased a Niles volume control which is designed to fit in a standard single-gang box, taking input wires from the receiver in the source room and connecting them with speakers located in the remote room. I have been able to establish that the wire runs are fine (they have full continuity), but the volume control does not accept the thick wires and when I try to use banana clips or other terminations that reduce the thickness, the heavy wire still causes the mounting blocks (snap-in terminals), to pull away from the volume control unit. I am considering creating a splice that converts the 10 gauge to 14 or 16 gauge. By doing so, the greater flexibility of the smaller wire would likely address the terminal disconnect issue and also allow for direct plug into the posts without clips. Will a splice work? Will I experience significant quality/power loss? Any recommendations on how to splice (wire nut? Soder?). Thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblio Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 The total resistance will be the addition of the resistance of the large and small gauge wires. Wire resistance is a function of linear length and gauge, since the length of small gauge wire in the splice is short the effect on the total resistance will be negligable. If the splice is hidden from view a wire nut will work but I would probably go with butt splices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblio Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Forgot to add ... Welcome to the forum ! and the total current carrying capability is set by the small gauge wire, be carefull not to exceed in in-wal installations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallMeJoe Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 For the optimum connection, check out the NEETS wiring module here Scroll down to page 2-6, where they show the "Western Union" splice. Employ this mode of wire wrapping (but with fewer twists), then solder the wires together and insulate them with heat-shrink tubing. This forms an optimum connection without adding significant bulk to the wires. FWIW, this splice as illustrated works well for solid wire without using solder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Great paper. I've been using that splice for years... even before I went into the Navy. [H] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fcbarcelona Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Thanks for feedback everyone - I will try the Western Union + solder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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