Best wire for security camera power supply?

I have a security camera that runs on a (DC 9V) power supply. The wire is extremely thin, probably 20+ gauge. I’d like to buy some additional wire to extend the reach of the camera. A few questions:

  1. What type of wire should I use?
  2. Where is a good place to buy it?
  3. Is it OK to use substitutes like speaker wire? (I just read a post on the Straight Dope re: using speaker wire in substitute for lamp cord. I figure this is different because the power supply is so much lower).

Thanks for any assistance.

18 gage speaker wire or SPT-1 lamp cord would be just fine for this application.

Your local hardware store probably has both available by the foot or on pre-pack spools of 25, 50 or 100 feet.

If you do use speaker wire, you really need to use something like this, or your house’s security will be greatly compromised. http://amzn.com/dp/B000J38NR0

…and free shipping!

I started giggling over sharding’s link, then I realized that there are people out there who would probably buy that and I got sad. But then I started giggling again.

Ok. Seriously now.

I would probably use lamp cord instead of speaker wire, just because the insulation is going to be thicker and sturdier and will protect the wire more. Like gotpasswords said, 18 gauge will do. Don’t go thinner than that.

Thanks all. Glad I posted.

Probably obvious, but #18 lamp cord is very easily cut – which would render your security camera useless. So you need to conceal this within a wall, or run it inside conduit.

I used to use that stuff, but there is just no point in spending that kind of money seeing as the resistance and impedence are not significantly better than other wires. So recently I have been using these low end Monster cables and have been really pleased. I now realize that even cheap wire like that made by Monster works just as good.

If it’s 9 VDC, any wire will work.

But… if it is a permanent installation, and it is routed through a wall, you should use wire that is NEC rated for “in-wall” installation.

Good joke :rolleyes: