Fireproof tape?

[Tony]

I'm running HT cables and for part of the way they will be running just along the floor against the brickwork of my fireplace landing. I use the fireplace, and occasionally an ember or two will fly out and hit the fireproof throw that is on the floor in front of the fireplace. I'd like to find something I could use to wrap the cables in, that would not melt if hit by an ember. I also would not want it to melt against the cables. My plan is to wrap that portion of the cables that is within flying distance of any embers.

[jmagerl]

Don't know if its truely fireproof but 3M makes a line of Teflon impregnated glass fiber tape with silicone adhesive for high temp application.

We used to buy it from Mcmaster-Carr or Grainger. Can't remember which. IF you don't like the teflon they make other stuff.

[SQLit]

Wiremold or a race way would be a much better idea.

[mm]

High tension? Hot toddy? Hugh Trevor? Hot tub! Humble transient?

Isn't there some hollow quarter round ceramic that will look good with your bricks?

Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let me know if you have posted also.

[autonut843]

I had to think a minute too. I think he means 'Home Theater' Hmmm, if I had to look at a wire by my hearth, I might consider putting it in a 1/2" copper pipe or something like that. You maybe could also get a decent looking piece of tubing stock in the bar stock section of your local hardware store. Maybe in your installation that would look worse, I don't know. Maybe put it in the copper pipe and then paint the pipe a color that would blend at the location.

Did you consider going outside around the back of the fireplace? Then I'd definitely run it in some conduit but maybe you could put a single gang box on either side of the fireplace for the wire to go in and out of and that may be behind something to help conceal it.

[Don Phillipson]

This is the wrong solution. If embers fly out of your fireplace you should instal a fireguard to prevent this (rather than trying to cover flammable items elsewhere.)

[Goedjn]

If you're talking low-voltage audio wire, I'd run it through copper tubing. Well, actually, *I* would drill through the floor and go under the hearth, but I assume there's some reason you don't want to do that.

[John Hines]

Duct tape, which is to say the thin aluminum tape that is used to seal air ducts with, not the plasticy stuff. But the cords would melt inside, since there is no thermal protection.

A metal raceway or conduit would help in this regard, because of it's thermal mass and the air space between it and the cable.

With this in mind, and the size of connectors on the ends, a larger than other wise need conduit would be good.

[Tony]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I should have mentioned that the fireplace has an Avalon insert in it, and it sometimes happens that the embers pop out when I open the door to put more wood in. Otherwise I would definitely be using a screen as Don suggested.

Would love to run it underneath but there's no basement. I like the idea of quarter round or copper tubing. I'll have to see what I can find at the local hardware store.

[autonut843]

Oh, ok, So the post *really* should have read...

I need to add a basement to my house because I'm running HT cables from one side of my fireplace to the other and don't have a convenient way to do it. Can I dig it myself or should I hire a professional.

;-)

Good luck, let us know how it works out!