I am installing outdoor patio speakers under an eve. The wire comes out of the wall from the inside about 6 inches, and then attaches to the speaker. Is it ok to use regular in wall wire for this setup, or should I use something else (outdoor wire) as the wire is outside, albeit only 6 inches. Thanks.

[Link: bluejeanscable.com]

this is a pretty good guide. Also consider the image you are presenting to the client. Maybe not a big deal, but maybe his buddy is a guy who will point it out when your client is showing off his system and he might make a comment.

Great web page, jcmca, but after a quick look I could find nothing that relates to tca's question.

The main problem that tca may encounter by running his wire outside is damage from sunlight. If the eave of the house is in constant shade, 100% of the time, I wouldn't worry about it. If the 6 inch length of cable is in direct contact with the sunlight, it won't take long for the UV rays to disintegrate the cable sheath.

There are two solutions that I can think of. One, you could replace the entire length of speaker cable with direct burial cable (double check the cable, but most direct burial cable, type UF, will be rated "Sunlight Resistant"). Two, you could wrap the six inches of exposed speaker wire in loom.

Go here for sunlight resistant loom:

[Link: cableorganizer.com]

I know that plain old ProFlex 16/2 and 14/2 inwall speaker wire is UV strable and direct burial rated to fit outdoor applications as well as whole house audiio... no seperate SKUs needed.

But he's in Alaska, and northern at that.

Actually, I don't know that, but his profile says "USA," sp I'm going with Alaska. He won't have to worry about the bugs in Florida, the humidity on the entire Right Coast, the heat in Arizona, or the travelling missionaries in Utah.

Or, he could help us out with more details.

Hey, if the sheath is paintable, couldn't he just put a couple layers of house paint on it and totally take care of all the problems? This is not a joke, although the above sorta is -- whatever house paint can tolerate his area will tolerate it just fine on the wire, and protect the wire. Paint is there to look good, but even more, to provide a protective finish to the outer surface of the house.

As an aside, if someone needs a direct-burial, UV-resistant, cheap speaker wire, I recommend low-voltage landscape-lighting wire. I doubt it's in-wall rated, though.