we recently had our basement finished. The contractor ran speaker wires in the ceiling (4) but failed to install the actual speakers or mark the locations of the wires. We don't have any interest in drilling holes in the ceiling to find wires and have the idea that they can be located by tracking an electrical charge. If so who could do this and how effective would it be in avoiding making a mess of a new ceiling?
2007-01-18 10:27:09 · 12 answers · asked by clycamen 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I'm going to take a different approach here. If you are going to mount the type of speakers that go in the ceiling like you see in commercial buildings, this is simple, get the speakers, cut the diameter hole indicated in the instructions where you want them. This will leave you a hole big enough that you can find the wires. If you are installing surround sound type of speakers, go to an electrical supply store {plenty of free advice} and get four Caddy MP-1 cut in frames. This will allow you to cut a hole big enough to put your hand up in. You can then find the wire or fish a new one over to the amplifier location. these openings have dress plates that look like the built in jacks for cable or computer. Circuit tracers are fine, but expensive. Good Luck.
2007-01-18 11:05:15 · answer #1 · answered by bearcat 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My suggestion is that look at the THX spec first... it gives pretty good guidance on where speakers should be located. In general, front speakers should be at about the same level as the tv and within a certain # of feet left/right. The center speaker is ideally located just above the screen. So, these are not ideal for ceiling mounted speakers. The surround speakers seem to be able to be located in the ceiling without a large amount of problem. You can also buy flush, ceiling mounted speakers (can't really see they are there) that are aimable. I have a pair of these and they work great because you can aim the speakers to the main seating area. In short, ceiling should be used only in rear speakers and even then, careful planning is required.
2016-03-29 03:43:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several ways. You can get a wire locator at someplace such as Radio Shack. It has a transmitter you hook on the wires at the source ans a receiver, like a stud finder. When you are next to the wire it buzzes. The second is to clip an AM radio to the wires tuned to an off station. A second radio will buzz as you get near the wires.
2007-01-18 10:32:56 · answer #3 · answered by ttpawpaw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have access to the ends where they connect to the receiver, you can place a tone generator there and use an inductive amplifier to pick up the tone through the drywall. The generic term for this is a "toner". It will cost you $50-$100 to buy, but I would get a phone/cable/satellite guy to do it. It would only take a few minutes. If the contractor has a toner, make him come back. If not, loosen a phone or cable connection and when the tech comes to "fix" the problem, offer to buy them lunch if they'll throw a toner on it for you.
2007-01-18 10:40:00 · answer #4 · answered by Sam C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Our security system provider found our surround sound speaker wires in the ceiling of our house. But, our neighbor just had a new system installed and his installer had the gizmo to locate them. The electronics stores sell the locator and you could do it yourself. It beeps where they are located.
2007-01-18 10:33:44 · answer #5 · answered by eskie lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a way to do this by sending a 'tracer signal' into the wiring and finding the signal with another electronic tool. Maybe the Cable Guy or a Phone Company person could give you more specific information.
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Mr. Obvious
2007-01-18 10:32:35 · answer #6 · answered by Patrick M 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A magnet induces a current when passed across a wire.
Connect a sensitive voltmeter to the other end of the wires and then "explore" with the magnet.
2007-01-18 10:30:37 · answer #7 · answered by Up your Maslow 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
find the positive and the negitive wire .the neg has a white line running down the wire .just hook up the pos and the neg .u will have the right sound
2007-01-18 10:49:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt it ,you might have to use new wiring and pull them through with an electric wire snake.
2007-01-18 10:30:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you have ends? That is all you need. Done.
continuty tester. or a piece of wire, a battery and a light bulb.
or a volt meter.
2007-01-18 10:31:05 · answer #10 · answered by farmer 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋