Red Black Green White

[themarcshow]

So I've had this question for a while now and I figured I should get around to asking it.
When dealing with a 5 wire double pair audio cable what is the "spec" on which color is what. I've always just gone with red R+, black R-, white L+, green L-, and of course the bare shield wire.

Most of my stations current building was wired with single pair cables (AM's don't need no stinkin' stereo). But now that there is an FM in the facility I'd like to be doing it right in regards to making sure my colors were correct for phase.

Also I'm going to be doing some engineering stuff at another couple of other stations that the company owns. I want to make sure that I'm doing stuff right there because I won't be the only one who does wiring work there.

I've never really had any formal engineering training and so also I'd like to thanks for everything that I've learned from on these online forums

[W9PXZ]

Right or wrong, I have always used the opposites method. Red+, Black-, Green+, White-. Black and white are opposites so green and red are opposites.

I have been in facilities that were done the other way and just tried to keep it consistent. Keep a mono radio handy though if you suspect a phasing problem.

I seem to recall that the version you describe is a descendant from telco standards and the one I use from audio.

You could avoid the problem all together by using the Gepco zip cord like I do. I won't use the four color stuff unless that is all I have.

[Muadeeb]

The oracle that is the Belden Catalog (2006) sayeth:
Belden 8723 (2 pr, Common Jacket, Ind Shield): Red/Black, Green/White

That follows with 'white is opposite of black' line of thought (and that R/B is LEFT). I prefer 'White is hot', only because I've had that beaten into my head with Cat-V. Cable is cable (mostly) so, as W9 said, pick one and keep it consistent.

In reality, you should consider Gepco Zip. For 99% of stereo devices, you'll have to split to two different connectors and unless you cut the jacket way back, then shrink the pairs and the jacket, it'll be a really ugly mess. Only time I'd consider common jacket is for punch blocks or multiple control lines.

[countrykev]

Using the Gepco cable is a great way. Use that everywhere here. My previous company had a great standard at all of their stations. For single pair cable, we used Belden 1266a. We got the cable in 4 colors, red, green, blue, and yellow.

Green was always used for left channel, red for right, blue for mono audio, and yellow for control cables (closures, etc...). For stereo wiring, cut the red and green to the same length and then twist them together and then secure with cable ties. The end result was very neat and clean wiring and it was easier to identify what the cable was from just looking at it. (No surprises when cutting a green cable, for example, like having voltage zap you from a controller or something). The Belden 8723 was not acceptable. I agree with the above statement, it's a pain to put the connectors on and to have the ability to add the shrink wrap.

Bottom line, though, is it doesn't really matter how you do it so long as it's consistent throughout the facility and it is well documented.

[leaderofthefreeworld]

Personally I do the ole Red+ Black - White + Green - Shield. Not sure why I do it this way, it is just the way I remember things.

Just post a sign on the racks with the wiring standard for the building, including how you wired the XLRs. Point it out to anyone doing the wiring and you are covered.