The concern about speaker wires shocks incidences is a common topic of discussion among people that install and set up audio systems. Can speaker wires shock you? Can they give you a dangerous electric shock? Can this be fatal? In this article, we shall unravel the truth behind these concerns.
In general, speaker wires on their own can not shock you. Still, speaker wires have been known to deliver electric shocks particularly when they have been modified and are not properly grounded. A common cause of receiving electrical shocks is when people do not follow the safety guidelines when installing electrical appliances, e.g. a speaker system.
An electrical current is defined as a flow of electric charge through an object. It is measured in Amperes. An electrical shock involves a sudden flow of electrical current through the body and can thereby be dangerous or fatal if it is too strong, depending on the voltage supplied by the source.
Electric shocks from speaker wires is not common, but when this happens, it’s usually because one or more of the speaker cables isn’t used for audio and has been modified with a ground wire.
The current runs through these “extra” grounds instead of the ones on each end of your speakers, which leaves them ungrounded and vulnerable to surges in voltage from nearby power lines or lightning strikes.
This buildup of voltage creates an electric arc at both ends of the wire which travels back-and-forth across it until something interrupts the flow (like someone touching it).
So how does this work? Imagine holding two metal rods apart so there’s no connection between them – now touch them together so they make contact.
The electrons in one rod are attracted toward the other, so they flow through that connection to the second rod.
This is an electric current – you can see it at work by putting LED lights in line with your metal rods (the little bulbs won’t last long but they will light up when electricity flows through them).
In order to avoid being shocked by the speaker wires, ensure that your speakers are properly grounded. You can also follow safety guidelines recommended by the National Electrical Code® (NEC®) of the USA and Canada for a safe grounding of a home audio system. Always consult an expert if you’re not sure about how to install or set up an audio system.
To conclude, speaker wires can shock you if it is not properly grounded. They are of low risk compared to other electrical devices which run on alternating current (AC). Speaker wires should be handled with care and safety instructions laying emphasis on the risks associated with being shocked by speaker wires should be strictly adhered to.
Speaker wires link audio amplifiers to speakers electrically. They are used to communicate between audio amplifiers and speakers. Are speaker wires, like the regular wires that we come into contact with on a daily basis, dangerous?
So, if you are wondering whether speaker wires are capable of shocking you, you should know that they can. The majority of individuals are unaware of the full magnitude of the electrical dangers presented by speaker wires.
Speaker wires are not capable of shocking you. Speaker wires conduct a very little amount of electricity, and the current that flows through is not powerful enough to produce an electric shock in a human person.
The speaker wires are not connected to a wall outlet or an extension cord. But, they are “connected into amplifiers. As a result, they do not carry the same amount of current as standard power wires.
Most of the time, the audio impulses that go through speaker wires are not powerful enough to be harmful if they come into contact with them.
This is not a sufficient excuse to be careless while handling speaker wires. Speaker wires are constructed from two stranded wires, which are typically composed of copper.
Because these copper wires are highly insulated with plastic-like PVC, they pose no risk to humans as long as the currents remain inside the wires. Due to the fact that electricity is always contained inside the speaker wires, there is minimal danger of electrocution.
Having said that, owing to the low current that flows via speaker wires, even if the speaker wires themselves come into touch with the human body, there will be no damage done.
Are Speaker Wires Dangerous?
There is a widespread notion that anytime wires and humans come into contact, there is always the possibility of damage or harm. This risk of harm may occur as a result of trailing wires or electrical shock. Speaker wires are particularly dangerous since they have trailing wires and there is no threat of electrical shock.
Trailing wires are a leading source of industrial and household accidents and injuries. It’s extremely simple to trip over stray wires. This may lead you to stumble forward and may result in an injury if you come into contact with a nearby surface or item. As a consequence, it is necessary to ensure that speaker wires are not left unattended.
Given the risk associated with trailing speaker wires, it is not recommended to run speaker wires over pathways or doors.
Speaker wires may be a danger to other musical instruments when they are not properly protected. Speaker wires may cause problems with the equipment to which they are attached.
This implies that speaker wires may endanger the speakers as well as amplifiers to which they are attached. Amplification may be damaged if speaker wires are not handled correctly, since this might cause the amplifier to blow out.
Intermittent signals and transients caused by faulty wiring and damaged speaker wires may potentially cause harm to your speakers. Transients are brief bursts of energy that may occur when your speakers are turned off suddenly. This kind of damage may happen when speakers get very hot.
How to Handle Speaker Wires
When dealing with speaker wires, it is critical to use care. Due to the inherent hazards and dangers associated with the usage of speaker wires, caution must be used while handling wires in general.
Let’s have a look at some fundamental facts to keep in mind while handling and managing speaker wires safely. Following these guidelines will safeguard not just your speaker wires, but also your amplifiers and speakers.
Speaker Wires Should Be Inspected And Checked On A Regular Basis
One of the primary reasons why wires, generally, represent a concern is that the danger they bring is not always obvious. A wire may seem to be in excellent functioning order but may conceal a tiny cut or tear.
Regularly examining your speaker wires can help you determine whether they are in excellent condition and free of frays, damaged, or broken components.
Additionally, routine checks will assist you in determining if the speaker wires are firmly attached to the amplifiers and speaker connections. It’s worth mentioning that one of the most critical safeguards against amplifier and speaker damage is proper speaker wire connections. This is why it is essential to conduct routine checks and inspections of speaker wires.
When Not In Use, Store Speaker Wires Properly
Wires may be very expensive, particularly when they are extremely long. Maintaining them in excellent shape will assist in ensuring that they are available and ready to use when required.
Coiling speaker wires too tightly is not recommended. Coiling them excessively tightly may result in damage to the wires inside the sheath that is not visible. Speaker wires may be loosely wrapped and kept in a secure location until they are required.
Conclusion
Speaker wires are critical. They are used to connect audio equipment such as speakers, amplifiers, as well as other audio equipment. Without these, speakers will be rendered inoperable. Speaker wires carry a low voltage and do not produce an electric shock when touched. However, when the bare ends come into contact with one another, they may cause amplifiers to fail.
