Electrical Rough Complete

Mar 28, 2001

The electricians finished the rough electrical work a couple days ago and the electrical inspection went fine. The inspector wanted one additional outlet in the theater, so we added it. My only complaint with the electrical work is that the the theater area is now a rats nest of electrical wire. This is making it pretty hard for me to install low voltage wiring without getting close to the high voltage stuff.
The low voltage wiring for the theater is done. I have been having a lot of fun putting "nail guards" on joists and studs to protect the wiring from errant drywall screws. Okay, that wasn't really much fun.
I used Symphony 14 gauge speaker wire (approved for in-wall use) to run all my speakers including the three front speakers, two surrounds, and two rears. I thought about using heavier wire for the front speakers, but the price of Monster or similar cable is ridiculous. So instead I used double runs to each of the front three speakers using the 14 gauge wire. Hey, they are all bi-wire capable speakers, so what the heck? Anyway, none of the runs are much over 25 feet, so 14 gauge should be perfectly adequate.
I used the best quality all copper RG-6 I could find for the RGB and video wire runs to the projector locations, and I ran a couple cat-5 cables to each projector location, the stage area (for curtain and IR control), and the window (for blind control). Finally, I added a good quality monitor cable run (HD-15 connectors) to the LCD projector location. Surely that will be enough wire.
You have probably guessed that I did decide to prepare for the LCD projector contingency. I ran the necessary cables and power to the location for an LCD, but didn't extend the exhaust vent (too much trouble).
The framing will finish this week. The final touches are focused around the soffits and theater platforms. After that comes insulation and then drywall.