Odd question of the day : How can I tell which end of a cable is the which ?

[Kevin]

I told you it sounds like an odd question, but honestly, it is real.

It is to do with speaker cables.

I have my two front AV speakers, and each is bi-wired, so 4 cables for each speaker, 2 red, 2 black.

However, the connecting end of the speakers at my amp have become disconnected, and I have no way of knowing which connection should be red, and which is black.

I can't follow the speakers as they go through conduit and under the floor, and they are all identical, with no markings (that'll teach me !).

Is there any simple way to find out which goes to red and which goes to black ?

Many thanks, and so ends odd question of the day.

Cheers,
Kevin.

[Woz]

Voltmeter?
You could put a battery at one end, and use a small bulb at the other, that should give you a clue.

[doogie]

Are you sure there are no markings at all? Not even one of the sides with the manufacturer's part number printed on it in a pale colour blending into the cable colour?

[Kevin]

Are you sure there are no markings at all? Not even one of the sides with the manufacturer's part number printed on it in a pale colour blending into the cable colour?

Hmmm, I'll have another look. Maybe I'll put my glasses on this time :lol:

Kevin.

[giger]

They will have a mark somewhere, could be something discreet either lettering or a symbol. Problem is the markings are usually spaced out. If you only have a small amount of cable visible out of the conduit, you might not have enough to have a marked piece