Difference between power and speaker wire?

Question

Is 8 gauge ground wire the same as 8 gauge speaker wire? Could I use 8 gauge speaker wire as the "power wire" for my car amplifier?

Answer 1

they are the same

Answer 2

The differences between your wires is the size of the insulation around the wire. If you look at power wire the rubber/plastic coating is much thinner than around speaker wire. The only reason for this is because the speaker wires need the extra thick coating to keep the wires from melting from all the power and since the wires carry alternating electric current they need to be separated more to keep them from creating the "electromagnetic effect."

As for using your speaker wire as power wire, i wouldn't recommend it but yes you can do it. 8 gauge wire is pretty small and i would consider buy a length of 6 or 4 to run to your amp location then a distribution block to go from the 6 or 4 gauge wire down to 8 gauge and into the amp. Keeping your wiring bigger is always a good idea to protect your gear and it allows for you to expand your system if you ever desire to.

hope this helps.

Answer 3

YES and NO. Yes they are the same #8 gauge but No they are not the same application. The speaker wires are intended to carry high audio signal or RMS voltage meaning the current flowing trough the speaker wires are in RMS wave which is in layman's term alternating - changes its direction every certain period. What am I saying and why am I saying this? Well the speaker wire can not be used for your Power source or to power up your amplifier simply because speaker wires have soft insulation and Power lines has DC direct current voltage that tends to produce more heat and thus can compromise your car. The speaker wire's insulation can melt and you can start a fire and goodbye to your car! Speaker wires are for speakers and Power wires are for Power source regardless of gauge. The gauge of the wire determines the current carrying capacity of the wires the larger the diameter (which is the smaller gauge#) the larger current it can carry. Can you use the speaker wire to power up your AMP ? why not but it is highly unsafe and it is not professional and it is not right. Put it this way : It is better to use your power wires for your speaker rather than use your speaker wires to power your AMP.

Answer 4

Before you come on here go google it.

Answer 5

8 gauge wire is 8 gauge wire.  what matters is what it is hooked to.

Answer 6

jsc_ny is full of c**p.

Wire is wire.