Rockville: How To Parallel Wire Your 70 Volt Speaker System

Introduction:

This guide will walk you through the simple process of parallel wiring for 70V speaker systems. Even if you’ve never set up a sound system before, don’t worry—these steps are easy to follow.

Requirements:

• A 70V amplifier (e.g., Rockville RCS350-6)
• 70V speakers with tap settings (e.g., Rockville WET7020B)
• Speaker wire (two-conductor)
• Basic wire stripping tool (optional)

Before You Begin: Understanding 70V Systems

A 70V system allows you to connect a large number of speakers to a single amplifier by using a consistent voltage level and built-in speaker transformers (called “taps”). Each speaker draws a fixed amount of wattage from the amp based on its tap setting.

For example:

• If your amp is rated at 100 watts and each speaker is tapped at 5 watts, you can connect up to 20 speakers.

Each speaker may have:

• A dial or knob to select tap wattage
• A wiring diagram that shows different tap settings

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Connect the First Speaker

• Take your speaker wire and connect the red (positive) wire to the positive terminal of the speaker.
• Connect the black (negative) wire to the negative terminal of the speaker.

2. Daisy Chain to the Next Speaker

• From the first speaker, use another speaker wire to connect:
  • Positive to positive
  • Negative to negative
• Repeat this step for each speaker in the chain until all speakers are connected.

3. Connect the Last Speaker to the Amplifier

• Take a final speaker wire and connect it from the last speaker’s terminals to the direct output terminal on the amplifier:
   
  • Positive to positive
  • Negative to negative 

4. Power On and Test

• Power on the amplifier and test your system with music or audio.
• If all connections are secure, all speakers should play clearly and evenly.

Troubleshooting & FAQs:

Q: Can I mix different tap wattages on different speakers? 

A: Yes. Just make sure the total combined wattage of all speakers does not exceed the amplifier’s wattage rating.

Q: What if one speaker stops working? 

A: With parallel wiring, the rest of the speakers will continue to work. Simply replace the faulty speaker by reconnecting the wires to a new one.

Q: Do I need to use shielded cable? 

A: It’s not required for most installations, but using high-quality speaker wire is always recommended for better performance and durability.

Conclusion:

Parallel wiring your 70V system is a quick and scalable solution for commercial or large-area sound setups. Once you understand the basics of daisy chaining and tap settings, expanding or servicing your system becomes incredibly easy.