Electrician question? I want to use 12 gauge speaker cable as lamp cord?

Question

I have some monster cable, the stranded copper with the clear plastic sheathing. Everything tells me it would be ok to use it for wiring my projector in the ceiling.

IT would be around 14 ft. and I would terminate it with a standard plug for a standard receptacle.

Is there any problem with this idea?

Thanks!

Answer 1

It sounds like you want to make an extension cord out of this.

I doubt that "monster cable" which is intended for use as speaker wire has the necessary voltage rating to be legal. Yes it will work and the insulation will probably stand 120 volts but it probably isn't rated to.

If your projector has a 3-prong plug, you will also need to have a ground connection which the monster cable would not provide.

If you are mounting the projector to the ceiling, it would not be permissible to use an extension cord to power it. Extension cords are for temporary and portable usage, not to supply a permanent device.

12 gauge copper will will stand 20 amps (as much or more than you could get from a household receptacle) but it would be normal for it to generate some heat. Don't expect that the plastic insulation would stand much heating.

I would recommend properly wiring a receptacle at the desired location. At the same time you could also run the video cable back to the source device. I realize that it may be difficult or impossible to fish wires through a finished ceiling and down a wall to an existing receptacle unless there is an open attic above. You can purchase plastic wiring channel called Wiremold to neatly run the wiring.

In most locations you must obtain an electrical permit before adding or extending an electrical circuit in your home but fortunately most places will let you do the work yourself.

Answer 2

Yes there would be a problem, the insulation is not rated for 120 volts and would most likely melt

Answer 3

Several things are wrong with this.  First is the Monster cable.  You and everyone else knows it's meant for speaker wiring and yes......it might work....but not for very long.  For starters, it's not meant to handle 120v, second it's not meant to handle the current draw even though it is 12 guage wire.  That type of cable is not meant to have a male or female cord cap on it either.  The proper way of wiring this is to either run a new circuit (highly recommended to protect your new projector) or run a romex cable off of a plug near by and install a receptacle close to the projector.  You don't really want to plug your projector into an extension cord, even if it's only 15' to 20'.  You could damage your projector.  

Answer 4

12 ga. is more than enough for lamp cord.  I'm not going to look up how much more, but I know it's a lot more.  Lamp cord can be as small as 16 gage.  12 is big enough to carry a 15 amp circuit.  

Go for it, and don't lose a moment of sleep over it.

By the way, the least I have seen insulation rated at (per the answers above) is 250V.  600V is standard.  This is a "do not touch bare wires" situation.  Obey that rule and you will see the morning sun come up.

Answer 5

If this is the zip cord type, you can not use it attached or concealed to a building.  Read up on approved uses of different wire types in the NEC. If this is the zip cord, it probably is rated for 300 volts, but may be used only for exposed work.  Good luck.  

Answer 6

It will work but not safe and ill advised.