Can I Use Speaker Wire For LED Lights? (Find Out Now!)

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart

If there is one thing I’ve become very well-versed with, it’s all the crazy stuff people do with lights. It comes from my background as a raver, and during my tenure in the club world, I’ve seen people do wild things with wiring. LED lights are particularly popular in the scene. Recently I heard people talking about using speaker wire to string together LEDs, but is this really a legitimate use for them?

Speaker wire is ideal for carrying low level currents such as the currents found in LED light bulbs. Since most lamp fixtures do not need much energy coursing through them, it’s possible to use speaker wire safely in a rewiring job. When choosing speaker wire, it’s best to make sure that you get the right gauge for the project.

Wiring up a bunch of LED lights might be a cornerstone of nightlife, but it’s also good to know how this will come into play as a part of your own home improvement. Let’s talk about this topic.

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Before We Begin: An Important Note About Safety And This Article

I realize that wiring up your own lights is a good way to get a shock or start a fire if you are not accustomed to it. This article is going to be focused on the safety measures that you should take as well as details about speaker wire for your project. Due to the fact that electrical wiring can vary from project to project, you need to know how to wire your lighting already.

Or, you know, get another article for that. This is specifically on the supply end of the project and what you should be aware of while you’re putting together your shopping list. Now that we are on the same page, let’s discuss speaker wire.

What Are Speaker Wires?

If you are totally new to electrical work, you might be wondering what speaker wires are. The best way to describe them is that they are a lot like electrical wires, except they are bound in transparent coating rather than opaque. These wires, as the name suggests, were originally meant to transmit electrical impulses between speakers from a music source. Since then, they’ve evolved to be a mainstay in the electrical world.

What Are Speaker Wires Used For?

Speaker wires are a niche form of electrical wire, and they were originally meant solely for speakers. They are slimmer than a lot of electrical wires. Moreover, they also are not meant to handle high voltage like standard electrical wires are. Electrical wires are usually thicker, which means that they can carry more voltage without burning out.

If you have minor wiring jobs to do, then you can usually use speaker wire and electrical wire interchangeably. Speaker wires are, for the most part, made of the same material as regular wiring. So, don’t worry. It’ll still conduct electricity.

Are All Speaker Wires Good For LED Lights?

Yes and no. Speaker wires, in general, can be used to wire LED light setups fairly well since LED lights are fairly low voltage. It’s probably not going to burn out most wiring, if that’s your concern. However, you still need to choose speaker wire that’s the right gauge for the LED setup that you want to put together.

Most people who use speaker wire to rewire a lamp do so for one of two reasons. The most common reason to use speaker wire is for a new power cable in an old lamp setup that had a frayed one. However, it can also be used to connect additional lights to the main power source. Among handy lamp makers, speaker wires tend to be a go-to for full LED lamp setups too.

An Important Note About Speaker Wire Material

While you can technically use any kind of speaker wire to light up an LED bulb, the truth is that there are some materials that are better than others for that specific purpose. The best types of wires are the ones that are made out of 100 percent copper. They conduct electricity the best and have less chance of burnout.

A good way to figure out whether or not speaker wire will be a good match is to look at the labels. Copper percentages or alloys will be visible on the label of the wire spool in most cases.

Understanding Speaker Wire Gauges

The first thing that you need to be aware of is that speaker wire isn’t a “one size fits all” deal. It comes in a variety of sizes called gauges. The higher the gauge, the thinner the wire will be. Higher gauges are better for smaller flows of electricity, while larger gauges tend to be better for items that require more power—such as appliances like blenders or toasters.

Here’s what you need to know about gauges:

  • Most single (or dual) bulb lamps that exclusively hold LED bulbs will require 20 to 18 gauge. This is the slimmest that you need in order to get the electricity to travel with minimal risk of burnout. Most terminals will work best with an 18 gauge wire, just so you know.
  • Most appliances found in the kitchen will require gauge size from 12 to 16, depending on the needs of the machine. If you have a blender or a microwave, go for a larger gauge. Smaller appliances like hand mixers can use 16 or so.
  • Major LED light setups may need 16 gauge speaker wire. When I say “major,” I mean the type of LED fixtures that have literally over 12 or more LED light bulbs that have an incandescent-style shape and size.

How Much Does Speaker Wire Cost?

One of the reasons why speaker wire is so popular is because it tends to be slightly more affordable than the standard electrical wire. Despite it usually being the more affordable option, speaker wire is still not exactly cheap. Speaker wire will run between $10 to $25 per spool, depending on the gauge of the wire, the material it’s made from, as well as the length of the wire in question.

Copper runs more expensive than alloy metals, but if you find the right vendor, you might be able to find a bargain.

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Related Questions

Can speaker wire cause a fire hazard?

All wiring can be a fire hazard if it’s improperly connected, overheated, or otherwise overloaded. This includes speaker wires. Thankfully, there is good news about speaker wires. These wires are known for being low-voltage, so the risk that it poses to people and the rest of your property is minimal. Even so, it’s best to take precautions when working with speaker wires and make sure that your wires are wrapped up properly.


Can you use a 16 gauge speaker wire for LED light strips?

While it’s not the most ideal setup out there, there is no reason why a 16 gauge speaker wire can’t be used to help light up LED strips. Most LED strips will be able to use a 16 gauge wire with minimal issue, as long as they run less than 10 A. With that said, the vast majority of LED strips are far under 10 Amps in power. If you want to go for a thinner wire, that is usually the better deal.


What kind of gauge should I use for an LED light bar?

LED light strips are petite, but light bars are a bit larger. In many cases, they tend to be more heavy-duty than they let on. As a result, they require a slightly larger gauge than most small strips. The best gauge size for a typical LED light bar is around 16 gauge. If you have several industrial-sized light bars that you need to string together, go for 12 gauge or actual electrical wire. It’s the best way to make sure that you get the energy that you want without the risk of burning out your equipment.

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Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

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