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Post by Chris on Apr 8, 2016 15:26:54 GMT
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Post by AlanS on Apr 8, 2016 15:37:01 GMT
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Post by Chris on Apr 8, 2016 15:41:33 GMT
Yeah I've had a look AlanS and I've got one of his cables already which seems very good. It's more this one specifically as it'll be running straight into the amp and I'm not sure about the 4mm size. As for DIY then I'm going to have a look - if it appears easy I will try but at the first sign of difficulty it'll be getting done professionally!
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Post by John on Apr 8, 2016 15:52:07 GMT
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Post by Chris on Apr 8, 2016 15:55:53 GMT
Seen that as well John and I've looked at a few others. I'm kind of drawn to the 4mm size though as this'll be a once done never again job.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 16:18:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 16:19:17 GMT
Sorry about double post!
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Post by Chris on Apr 8, 2016 16:45:15 GMT
Cheers for that Craig. As its getting wired straight not the amp though it's the actual cable I need rather than one that's made up. I'm thinking the 4mm or maybe a Lapp 2.5mm but not at all sure.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 17:34:23 GMT
Rather weirdly one of the best sounding roll-your-own cables I've found is to use regular twin and earth - the stuff that is already in the wall. It is not particularly flexible, but costs next to nothing and is available in a wide range of different current capacities. The Lapp stuff is fine, but not that easy to terminate as a result of the screen. Another one worth looking at is the range of products from Canford Audio. They are a pro-audio place; I use the 20A (2.5mm^2) stuff on my power amps, but I am using high current Neutrik Powercons on the amp and industrial connectors on the other end, so the 13mm diameter is easily accommodated. It is only a quid or two per metre www.canford.co.uk/FLEXIBLE-AC-MAINS-POWER-CABLES . |
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Post by Greg on Apr 8, 2016 20:33:00 GMT
Rather weirdly one of the best sounding roll-your-own cables I've found is to use regular twin and earth - the stuff that is already in the wall. Using solid core mains twin and Earth as a cable between your 13amp socket and your item of equipment is contrary to regulations and in the event of a fire, will invalidate your household insurance. Using it in this application is dangerous because solid core cable should always be fixed and immovable. It should not be used in a flexible connection as flexing can cause the wires to fracture. The MCRU stuff you are looking at is basic mains cable which is basically covered in an armoured braid. It does offer shielding if the braid is connected to mains earth but it is fiddly and difficult to do. The Belden stuff suggested above is very good and is also shielded without the stiffness of the armoured stuff. The single bare forth wire is connected to the Mylar shield and is easy to work with. Connect wires to the 13amp plug as normal and connect the bare screen wire also to the earth pin. Leave the screen completely unconnected at the equipment end whether connecting to an IEC plug or hard wiring directly into the equipment circuit inside the chassis. These type of cables are thick and I doubt the rubberised plug would accommodate the cable thickness easily. A Toughplug or similar would be a better choice that will accommodate the thicker cable although you may need to trim back the strain relief wings to allow it to fit. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 23:16:14 GMT
Using solid core mains twin and Earth as a cable between your 13amp socket and your item of equipment is contrary to regulations and in the event of a fire, will invalidate your household insurance. Using it in this application is dangerous because solid core cable should always be fixed and immovable. It should not be used in a flexible connection as flexing can cause the wires to fracture. Well, there you go then. Heaven help any of us who do DIY audio. It must be the same reason that audio cable companies stopped supplying raw cable (AudioQuest used to, for example) - the lawyers clearly got involved and pointed out that bone headed audio DIY-ers were going to electrocute themselves or set fire to something. I'm butting out of advising at this point. |
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Post by Chris on Apr 9, 2016 5:55:55 GMT
Nope,please don't. I appreciate all the comments and I've certainly learned something. Have to say I can see myself using the Belden now.
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Post by ChrisB on Apr 9, 2016 6:39:43 GMT
How long does it need to be Chris?
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Post by Greg on Apr 9, 2016 9:35:30 GMT
Craig, you have PM.
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Post by Chris on Apr 9, 2016 11:37:47 GMT
I'm going to go for 2metres ChrisB. After this conversation though I'm going to see what the Sparks here have got lying around....
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Post by ChrisB on Apr 9, 2016 13:23:22 GMT
I've got a spare 1 metre(ish) piece of the Belden here if you'd like it, but I appreciate that's pretty short for a mains cable.
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Post by Chris on Apr 9, 2016 13:28:49 GMT
Thank you very much Chris but I'm going to pass on that. I've got a funny feeling something will turn up here....
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Post by ChrisB on Apr 9, 2016 13:34:54 GMT
No problem.
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Post by Paul Barker on Apr 10, 2016 11:22:51 GMT
I wouldnt but out from giving opinions Craig. But it is intelligent and sensible to adjust our thinking when another points out a safety issue in what we are saying.
I work in trades and see diy things done all the time that break sensible safe practices. these practices wre not arrived at so that some poeple have a sense of power over some other people. They are devised usually only after a death and the inquest is over.
A very senior EE once said to me "Respect that safety manual, it cost a lot to develop". Oh why is that? "It cost 70 lives" (or whatever the number was.)
using t and e to carry mains voltage in a situation where flex should have been used, is very common, I see it almost daily in my work in people's homes. So you Craig are in plentiful company. But that company is not not good. The wise would turn his back on the practices that ignore guidelines which were devised from human lives lost.
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Post by Chris on Apr 10, 2016 12:53:37 GMT
Damn,damn,damn. I looked at that Belden cable - £5.95pm. Great. Then I look at another ad - £7.95 with FREE p&p. Now that bloody annoys me enough to not buy from that seller,which in turn annoys me again as I believe he's on here.
I realise it's not much but I do like to think wee things like this help make a forum go round.
Why,oh why has he bloody well done that. So forkin deceptive.
Rant over.
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