Tools & Installation

Summary: Tools & Installation

ProAV Small Parts and Cabling Accessories

Windy City Wire is a leading manufacturer of low-voltage wire based in Bolingbrook, IL. For ProAV integrators and contractors, we pair our cable offering with a focused selection of small parts and cabling accessories—tools, connectors, plugs, jacks, fasteners, firestop, and flexible conduit—so your team can source what it needs from a single, dependable partner. We sell products and solutions designed for commercial and industrial environments, helping you plan, procure, and install with confidence.

How our ProAV product offering adds value

• Consolidated sourcing: Reduce purchase points and align delivery schedules by pairing low-voltage wire with the everyday ProAV accessories required on the jobsite.
• Commercial-grade components: Hardware and consumables chosen for consistent fit and durability across common Pro AV mounting and cable routing tasks.
• Clear specifications: Straightforward unit counts and packaging details support accurate takeoffs, submittals, and inventory management.
• B2B-focused support: Dedicated account relationships and product documentation to help keep projects moving from design through commissioning.
• Project efficiency: Standard thread sizes, trade sizes, and familiar form factors make installation predictable for field teams.

Representative products in this category

• Fire Stop Caulk, 10.3 oz. Sold per tube; 12 tubes/case (Order for 1 = 1 tube). Used to seal low-voltage cable penetrations and help maintain rated barriers where required by code.
• Regular Spring Nut for 1/4-20 Rod For channel/strut assemblies and equipment support in AV, control, and structured cabling installs. Zinc-plated steel for reliable performance in typical indoor applications.
• Square Strut, 1-5/8" outside dimension, zinc-plated steel Suited for supporting trays, pathway components, and AV equipment mounting. Compatible with common 1/4" hardware.
• Washer for 1/4" bolt size Pairs with 1/4-20 fasteners to distribute load and protect mounting surfaces within strut and rack assemblies.
• ROTO-FLEX flexible conduit, 1/2" to 1-1/2" trade sizes (WOUNDED WARRIOR) Provides protected routing for ProAV signal, control, and network cabling while maintaining bend pathways and organization to endpoints.

Built for Pro AV environments

• Conference rooms, training centers, and collaboration spaces
• Auditoriums and higher-education learning environments
• Stadiums, arenas, and large venues
• Broadcast studios and control rooms
• Houses of worship, hospitality, and retail

Ordering and planning details

• Clear units and case packs: Fire Stop Caulk is 10.3 oz per tube; 12 tubes per case for streamlined stocking.
• Standard hardware: Match spring nuts and washers to 1/4-20 fasteners and compatible strut for consistent field assembly.
• Flexible routing: ROTO-FLEX available in 1/2" to 1-1/2" trade sizes to protect and organize cable bundles to racks, displays, speakers, and control points.
• Documentation: Product data sheets available to support submittals and compliance requirements.

Why ProAV teams trust Windy City Wire

• Manufacturer advantage: Our low-voltage cable portfolio is complemented by a targeted range of accessories, simplifying procurement for commercial AV integration.
• Consistency across projects: Standardized parts help installers work faster and reduce rework.
• Reliability from quote to closeout: Clear part specs, predictable availability, and knowledgeable B2B support.

Partner with Windy City Wire on your next project

From low-voltage wire to ProAV cabling accessories, our products and solutions help you deliver clean installations on schedule. Build your bill of materials with confidence and keep field teams productive with components that fit, function, and finish the job right. Contact your Windy City Wire representative to request a quote or product recommendations for your specific application.

Solutions: Tools & Installation

ProAV Tools & Installation Overview
Windy City Wire supports professional audio visual integration with a complete assortment of tools, connectors, plugs, jacks, fasteners, firestopping compounds, and cable pathway accessories engineered for low-voltage environments. These small parts help commercial and industrial installation teams mount devices, protect cabling, maintain code-compliant penetrations, and finish racks and enclosures efficiently. As a B2B partner, we focus on the day‑to‑day needs of AV integrators, electrical contractors, and facility teams who build and maintain scalable, serviceable audio visual systems.

Where Tools & Installation Parts Fit in Audio Visual Systems

• Conference rooms, boardrooms, and UC spaces: Secure displays, mount cameras and microphones, route cabling through furniture and walls, and finish terminations with reliable AV connectors and jacks.
• Training rooms and classrooms: Support projector, interactive display, and speaker installs; manage cable pathways; and maintain safe, organized device mounting for daily use.
• Lecture halls and auditoriums: Use strut hardware, spring nuts, and washers to rig AV equipment; protect long pulls with flexible conduit; and organize racks for DSP, amplifiers, and control processors.
• Digital signage and retail: Create clean, serviceable installs in public spaces using cable management accessories, fire stop caulk for penetrations, and low-profile mounting hardware.
• Hospitality and entertainment: Support distributed audio, video over IP, and control systems with robust rack hardware, connectors, and labeling for quick service.
• Stadiums, arenas, and large venues: Build durable pathways with strut and flexible conduit; secure cabling at height; and protect penetrations with firestopping materials.
• Broadcast, production, and post: Maintain reliable signal integrity with quality terminations; organize high‑density racks; and safeguard cable bends and transitions.
• Healthcare facilities: Manage clean cable routes, support device mounting, and use proper firestopping at wall and floor penetrations in sensitive areas.
• Government, public safety, and command centers: Build serviceable racks and control rooms with clearly labeled cabling, secure mounts, and compliant penetrations.
• Industrial plants and warehouses: Protect low‑voltage AV cabling for paging, visual systems, and control with flexible conduit, strut hardware, and corrosion‑resistant fasteners.
• Transportation hubs and campuses: Route and protect long runs for wayfinding displays, public address, and surveillance viewing stations with appropriate conduit and mounting hardware.
• Houses of worship: Support speakers, projectors, and LED walls using strut and mounting accessories; organize racks and finish terminations for volunteer‑friendly operation.

Common ProAV Integrations Supported by These Accessories

• Audio distribution and DSP: Reliable connectors and secure rack hardware for amplifiers, processors, and loudspeakers.
• Video distribution: Support HDMI/SDI/HDBaseT and AV over IP with clean device mounting, cable management, and labeled patching.
• Unified communications and conferencing: Stable camera, mic, and speaker mounting; protected pathways from table to rack to display.
• Control and automation: Organized control wiring, labeled terminations, and protected control runs.
• Rack and enclosure builds: Strut, fasteners, and cable protection for dense Pro AV equipment stacks and IT closets.

Installation Accessories That Streamline Pro AV Projects

• Connectors, plugs, and jacks: Termination hardware for low‑voltage audio, video, and control cabling to ensure consistent field performance.
• Mounting and strut hardware: Use spring nuts, washers, and 1‑5/8" strut to create rigid, modular mounting points for devices, trays, and pathways.
• Cable protection and pathway: Flexible conduit helps maintain bend radius, guard against abrasion, and simplify pulls around structure and furniture.
• Firestopping materials: Fire stop caulk seals annular space around cable bundles at penetrations; select the correct tube size and follow the tested system details required by local code.
• Fasteners and assembly parts: Correct washer and rod sizes help achieve secure, repeatable builds for racks, projector mounts, and speaker clusters.
• Labeling and identification: Clear device and cable IDs reduce commissioning and service time across larger ProAV installations.
• Test and verification tools: Certification and signal testing confirm performance after termination and before handoff.

Highlighted Tools & Installation Items

• 10.3 oz. Fire Stop Caulk — Tube size suited for sealing cable penetrations in walls and floors. 12 tubes/case. Order for 1 = 1 tube. Use to help maintain required fire and smoke barriers when routing low‑voltage AV bundles.
• Regular Spring Nut for 1/4-20 Rod — Fits common threaded rod used with strut channel to mount racks, projectors, speakers, and cable trays in commercial AV installations.
• Zinc Plated Steel 1-5/8" Outside Diameter Square Strut — Create sturdy mounting frames and pathways. Zinc plating supports durability in typical indoor environments.
• Washer for 1/4" Bolt Size — Ensures proper load distribution on brackets and equipment rails during ProAV hardware assembly.
• ROTO-FLEX, 1/2"–1-1/2" Trade Size Flex Wounded Warrior — Flexible conduit option for protecting low‑voltage AV cable runs, accommodating multiple trade sizes to match common device and rack penetrations.

Planning Tips and Best Practices for AV Installation

1. Coordinate early with other trades: Confirm device locations, rack spaces, and pathway routes to avoid rework.
2. Choose the right pathway hardware: Match flexible conduit trade size (e.g., 1/2" to 1-1/2") to bundle diameter and connector clearance.
3. Use proper strut and fasteners: Pair 1/4-20 rod, spring nuts, and washers with 1‑5/8" strut to build dependable mounting points.
4. Protect penetrations: Apply fire stop caulk per the tested firestop system and verify local code requirements.
5. Manage bend radius and strain relief: Use conduit, bushings, and grommets to maintain cable performance.
6. Torque and support: Follow device and bracket torque specifications and support heavier loads appropriately.
7. Label and document: Label both ends of each run and maintain as‑builts to speed commissioning and service.
8. Test before handoff: Validate network links, AV signals, and control I/O to ensure system readiness.
9. Plan for expansion: Leave capacity in racks and pathways for future devices and displays.

How SmartWire and RackPacks Add Value
When paired with these Pro AV installation accessories, SmartWire printing and labeling helps techs identify runs quickly at penetrations and in racks, reducing termination time and errors. RackPacks provide organized cable payout for multi‑run pulls through flexible conduit and strut‑supported pathways, cutting labor and minimizing waste. The combination supports faster, cleaner installs across conference rooms, auditoriums, and large venue AV integration.

Who Benefits from These Products

• Commercial AV integrators and design‑build contractors
• Electrical contractors handling low‑voltage scopes
• Facility, IT/OT, and operations teams supporting ProAV systems
• Broadcast and event production crews building temporary or permanent installs

Why Source Tools & Installation Hardware from Windy City Wire

• B2B focus with consistent availability of ProAV tools, connectors, plugs, jacks, and mounting hardware
• Case and single‑unit options for common items like fire stop caulk
• Application guidance to match hardware to AV system requirements
• Kitting and coordinated delivery to streamline jobsite logistics

Get Started
Connect with your Windy City Wire representative to align tools, firestopping materials, strut hardware, and flexible conduit with your next Pro AV integration. The right small parts make installs faster, safer, and easier to service.

Frequently Asked Questions: Tools & Installation

• How is the 10.3 oz. Fire Stop Caulk sold, and what should I know for AV cable penetrations?

  Each unit is a single 10.3 oz tube (Order for 1 = 1 tube), with 12 tubes per case if you need bulk. It’s commonly used to seal low-voltage cable penetrations to help maintain fire and smoke barriers. Always follow the tested firestop system details and local code/AHJ requirements when installing.

• What hardware should I use for mounting AV components to strut channel?

  Use the Regular Spring Nut for 1/4-20 rod in a 1-5/8" square strut channel, paired with a Washer for 1/4" bolt size. The zinc-plated steel construction offers durable corrosion resistance for typical ProAV tools & installation environments.

• Which flexible conduit accessories cover multiple trade sizes for AV runs?

  ROTO-FLEX accessories support 1/2" to 1-1/2" trade size flexible conduit, making them a versatile choice for protecting and routing low-voltage cabling. Select the accessory that matches your conduit’s trade size to ensure a secure, code-conscious installation.

Additional Links:

• Learn more about our SmartWire Cable
• The RackPack - Our patented cable delivery solution
• Our Transporters - RackPack Transportation Devices
• 19 Stocking Locations Nationwide - Find a Branch near you