Administrator StereoNET Posted March 14, 2017 Administrator Posted March 14, 2017 Power cords, particularly those considered to be aftermarket 'audiophile' upgrades and compliance with Australian regulations has long been a confusing issue. Here's the facts. View the full article 5
Soundwise Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 So can anyone explain this in layman's terms ... Which aftermarket 'audiophile' power cable from which retailer are compliant? Has anyone ever seen a compliant cable? I can only think of one. FWIW, I don't think it's relevant to name any that are not compliant. Thanks in advance..
Martykt Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 Thank you @Marc for the efforts you have gone to in gaining these clarifications for what has been a confusing issue for both consumers and those in the industry. Do you have any information on Victoria and the other states in how they differ or any further relevant information? P.S. Great looking Cable there in your article even if it doesn't meet Australian Standards.....
betty boop Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 the tough part ...is the sum of the parts... just because you use a declared article for each component ... does it mean the assembly is safe ? am not so sure about this...am still unclear....especially if some unskilled numb skull has put it together ! While things might be declared articles they have different ratings. So a case of assembling the right rating of components together so end up with an assembly thats appropriately rated and safe for an application.
Guest Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 44 minutes ago, Soundwise said: So can anyone explain this in layman's terms ... Which aftermarket 'audiophile' power cable from which retailer are compliant? Has anyone ever seen a compliant cable? I can only think of one. FWIW, I don't think it's relevant to name any that are not compliant. Thanks in advance.. Quite simply, unless it has a marking similar to the below it's almost certainly not compliant, irrespective of state of Australia. I am aware that certain brands have previously been saying that as their cables are C-Tick compliant then they are automatically compliant. Incorrect, as stated in my article. Every cable in Australia must be tested, certified and marked. 1
Guest Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 8 minutes ago, al said: the tough part ...is the sum of the parts... just because you use a declared article for each component ... does it mean the assembly is safe ? am not so sure about this...am still unclear....especially if some unskilled numb skull has put it together ! While things might be declared articles they have different ratings. So a case of assembling the right rating of components together so end up with an assembly thats appropriately rated and safe for an application. If all three components, the two plugs and the cable itself have each been tested, complied and stamped individually with the an appropriate mark as per above, then the cord would be deemed approved for sale. I am yet to see a cable in my time however with each of the three items all marked with such an approval number. You're adding to the confusion with different ratings. It's either approved with one of the above markings, or it's not.
betty boop Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 but what is to say its been assembled correctly ? if someone doesnt at all know what they are doing or for instance mistakes can be made. the person assembling is human after all. And then there is using the wrong rating cable on the wrong rating plugs. seen threads with this too. personally am very surprised there is no cable set testing. Its a pretty basic test done with test and tag for instance. and yeah I've never seen individually stamped either.
powerav Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 I wouldn't trust any cable either that stats that 2.5mm conductors are used as a standard 10 amp 3 pin plug is designed for 1.5mm max. To use 2.5 you have to tamper with the plug in some way to make it fit.
rocky500 Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 16 minutes ago, powerav said: I wouldn't trust any cable either that stats that 2.5mm conductors are used as a standard 10 amp 3 pin plug is designed for 1.5mm max. To use 2.5 you have to tamper with the plug in some way to make it fit. Don't the approved Furutech plugs allow bigger cable?
Weka Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 9 minutes ago, powerav said: I wouldn't trust any cable either that stats that 2.5mm conductors are used as a standard 10 amp 3 pin plug is designed for 1.5mm max. To use 2.5 you have to tamper with the plug in some way to make it fit. The PDL/Clipsal 56P310 and other heavy duty 10A plugs have terminals that are rated for 2.5mm conductors. Case in point being the standard heavy duty builder's extension lead. What disturbs me is the imported brand name cords that have been retrofitted with standard domestic plugs that are incapable of safely restraining 14-16mm diameter cable let alone terminating the 4-6mm conductors, plus screens. 1
Weka Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 2 minutes ago, rocky500 said: Don't the approved Furutech plugs allow bigger cable? Yes... but at $130 a pop I'd hesitate to describe them as a "standard" plug.
powerav Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 1 minute ago, rocky500 said: Don't the approved Furutech plugs allow bigger cable? I was referring to the plug end not socket, the clear hard plastic Clipsal ones you normally see. You have to drill the hole out where cable goes in and also have to cut the clamps that hold the cable in also the clamp down screw on conductor would only be 1 or 2 threads in, not good.
rocky500 Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Weka said: Yes... but at $130 a pop I'd hesitate to describe them as a "standard" plug. I thought we are also looking at boutique cables that may or may not be compliant. I see the Furutech plugs have Australian approval numbers. I did not see any pricey plugs with approval numbers but have not looked to hard. Edited March 14, 2017 by rocky500
powerav Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Weka said: Case in point being the standard heavy duty builder's extension lead Yes but you hardly ever see them plus you can't fit in a standard domestic power board or even double power point with something else next to it., you always see the clear hard plastic ones with the finger and thumb grip. Edited March 14, 2017 by powerav
Weka Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 5 minutes ago, rocky500 said: I thought we are also looking at boutique cables that may or may not be compliant. I see the Furutech plugs have Australian approval numbers. I did not see any pricey plugs with approval numbers but have not looked to hard. The Furutech are the only approved rewirable "pricey" (audiophile) plugs currently available.
Weka Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 15 minutes ago, powerav said: Yes but you hardly ever see them, you always see the clear hard plastic ones with the finger and thumb grip. Mmm... like these ones that I see almost every day. 1
powerav Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 4 minutes ago, Weka said: Mmm... like these ones that I see almost every day Not designed for domestic use as you have to cut the orange ring off to make fit there fore in the interest of this topic does not comply.
Weka Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 13 minutes ago, powerav said: Not designed for domestic use as you have to cut the orange ring off to make fit there fore in the interest of this topic does not comply. Shall we say it has been redesigned for domestic use as the mods only negate the original IP rating and it is otherwise fully compliant with AS/NZS 3112 as verified by my friendly local electrical inspector. The orange ring just drops off when you disassemble the plug and changing the orange entry bush to a black one is of no consequence. 2
powerav Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 Everyone of these topics always go in the direction of "This is what I have na na na" what you use or have made yourself is your responsibility, I am trying to warn people of some of the cables that I have seen for domestic purpose that are either industrial plugs modified to fit a domestic outlet or an industrial type cable modified to fit or the plug modified to accommodate. 1
sloper Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 Its all smiles until someone burns there house down and the insurence wont pay due to un approved cable's. But then again insurence can be seen as a form of gambling. regards Bruce
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted March 14, 2017 Volunteer Posted March 14, 2017 The problem is that in order to get a cable approved, it needs to be tested. And we all know that once any piece of audiophile equipment is measured or tested with electronic instruments it cannot, by definition, sound any good. Quite a dilemma. 2 2
Weka Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 6 minutes ago, powerav said: Everyone of these topics always go in the direction of "This is what I have na na na" what you use or have made yourself is your responsibility, I am trying to warn people of some of the cables that I have seen for domestic purpose that are either industrial plugs modified to fit a domestic outlet or an industrial type cable modified to fit or the plug modified to accommodate. As an EE and fully licensed electrician, I also share your concerns regarding questionable cable and plug modifications and was merely providing an example of how it can be done cheaply and legally with what is available off-the-shelf in Aus and NZ. You're busy highlighting a known problem, do you have any practical solutions?
betty boop Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 how can anything "re designed" or modified be compliant anymore. something designed and gets approves on basis of its design and how it meets the requirements. changing that design or modifying it I cant see how on any level could be said to still be in the approved category. good luck to you basically just because it still has the little compliance mark means nothing anymore... 1 1
powerav Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 7 minutes ago, Weka said: You're busy highlighting a known problem, do you have any practical solutions? Just use 1.5mm max, why 2.5? no one compliance used for domestic use is drawing that much current. Ohms law. 1
Guest Posted March 14, 2017 Posted March 14, 2017 1 hour ago, Weka said: Shall we say it has been redesigned for domestic use as the mods only negate the original IP rating and it is otherwise fully compliant with AS/NZS 3112 as verified by my friendly local electrical inspector. The orange ring just drops off when you disassemble the plug and changing the orange entry bush to a black one is of no consequence. Just be careful of those ones. I've bought loads of them for making my own cables (for personal use), and there are a lot of non-AS standard chinese knock offs that are a perfect copy, sans approval number. 1
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