Q:
I was told the other day by an inspector that I couldn’t use surface mount conduit to support low-voltage cabling. I have been strapping low-voltage cable to available conduit for years. What gives?
A:
Well, according to the National Electrical Code (NEC), you cannot use conduit to support other exterior cabling strapped to it. However, in interviewing inspectors and AHJs in the past, I have been told that as long as this practice is not excessive, they will often allow it. So, as always, the local AHJ rules, even though the NEC says no. It is your call, but I would continue the practice cautiously and not consider it a handy shortcut.
Q:
I have an audio system question. I need to run the 8-ohm output of an amplifier into a 70V constant voltage audio system. Will it work?
A:
Remember the old saying, “Low into high and you’ll get by?” You can run the 8-ohm output directly into the constant 70Vt system. Just make sure you have a large enough amplifier power. In this case, you will need a 500W amplifier. It is not as efficient as a 70V amplifier output, but it should work.
