Primare Knob Posted September 22, 2017 Posted September 22, 2017 I have started to look into building my own power leads for the following reasons. Clean up cable mess, No more long cables lying around which need to be tucked away. Nicer looks, all the same plug shape and colour etc. Shielded cables to present RFI after the Isotek powerboards. After reading through the sticky thread, Is your power cable compliant, in the cable forum, there seems to be more profit in a good connection than in the cable. A fixed lead or an Neutrik connection preferred over an IEC connection. The words captive power leads did come up a couple of times but I don't really know what this means. I am looking for help in sourcing the right materials to be "compliant", and in getting the most out of this project. Sent from my HTC_0PKV1 using Tapatalk
Guest guru Posted September 22, 2017 Posted September 22, 2017 captive lead simply means it is wired directly through the back panel to the fuse holder rather than using a rear panel connector. as for neutrik mains connectors, the componentry used in construction is a base line in quality and the redeeming feature is that meathead roadies can't get it wrong. the fact it can't be pulled out is not a glorifying reason considering the very average material choices used.
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted September 22, 2017 Posted September 22, 2017 (edited) 10 hours ago, guru said: captive lead simply means it is wired directly through the back panel to the fuse holder rather than using a rear panel connector. Correct. Quote as for neutrik mains connectors, the componentry used in construction is a base line in quality and the redeeming feature is that meathead roadies can't get it wrong. the fact it can't be pulled out is not a glorifying reason considering the very average material choices used. Utter and complete bollocks. Let's examine: * Neutrik power connectors are approved by every major approval organisation on the planet. That means they are safe. * Neutrik power connectors (20 Amp ones) are rated for a connection resistance of LESS than 0.003 Ohms. * Insert material is polyamide, locking element is zince diecast, shell is polyamide and the strain relief is polyacetal. Connectors material is SILVER (the lowest resistivity metal known) over bronze. These materials are far from "very average". They are PERFECTLY suited to the task. Unlike, say, gold plating, which is, invariably, thinly plated, very soft and much higher resistance than silver. Rhodium is better, in the sense that it is a tougher metal, but is much inferior to silver WRT conductivity. * Dielectric strength is rated to 2,800 Volts AC. * Insulation resistance exceeds 100,000,000 Ohms. * Neutrik power connectors are rated for AT LEAST 1,000 mating cycles. * Wire size up to 2.5mm CSA. * Contact plating material is THE BEST available. Not the inferior gold or rhodium used in over-priced connectors, but the far superior silver plated contacts, which not only offer the lowest resistance of any metal on Earth, but plating thickness is 4um. Plating is over bronze, for maximum durability. * Contacts are 'wiping' type, thus ensuring a clean, solid connection every time. The Neutrik power connectors are vastly superior to any over-priced, over-hyped IEC connector. IEC connectors are much like RCA connectors. They were always designed to be cheap. They were never designed to be the highest quality connector available. Neutrik connectors are fully and completely specified, unlike IEC connectors, which are very much a 'crap shoot'. Some are rubbish and some are reasonable. The very best IEC connector is a long way behind the Neutrik power connectors. If they really cared, the IEC manufacturers would use silver plating, not the significantly inferior gold or rhodium plating. http://www.tibtech.com/conductivity.php Edited September 22, 2017 by Zaphod Beeblebrox 4
Addicted to music Posted September 23, 2017 Posted September 23, 2017 (edited) http://www.neutrik.com/zoolu-website/media/download/13540/Product+Guide+-+Section+XLR http://www.neutrik.com/zoolu-website/media/download/13534/Product+Guide+-+Section+Circular+Connectors Neutrik specification, product guide. http://www.neutrik.com/en/brochures Edited September 23, 2017 by Addicted to music
Primare Knob Posted September 23, 2017 Author Posted September 23, 2017 What about the other end of the cable with the AU plug.Where can I source these materials? Are these Neutrik plugs widely available?Sent from my HTC_0PKV1 using Tapatalk
powerav Posted September 23, 2017 Posted September 23, 2017 34 minutes ago, Primare Knob said: What about the other end of the cable with the AU plug. From an electrical wholesaler, most common is the Clipsal plug. http://www.clipsal.com/Trade/Products/ProductDetail?CatNo=1439S
niss_man Posted September 23, 2017 Posted September 23, 2017 I would carefully read the following at this link. https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury-prevention-safety/electricity/homeowners-and-consumers/dontdiy 1
Primare Knob Posted September 26, 2017 Author Posted September 26, 2017 (edited) @Zaphod Beeblebrox Is Silver plating going to make such a different if copper isn't bad at all? Does a Neutrik still make sense for a connection that doesn't move or changes? And what about the other end. The whole cable will only be as good as the total product. Edited October 14, 2017 by Primare Knob
Primare Knob Posted September 26, 2017 Author Posted September 26, 2017 @niss_man I can still make the cables and have an electrician check my work. Sent from my HTC_0PKV1 using Tapatalk
niss_man Posted September 26, 2017 Posted September 26, 2017 [mention=107296]niss_man[/mention] I can still make the cables and have an electrician check my work. Sent from my HTC_0PKV1 using Tapatalk Sure can.Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted September 26, 2017 Posted September 26, 2017 9 hours ago, Primare Knob said: [mention=177797]Zaphod Beeblebrox[/mention] Is Silver plating going to make such a different if copper isn't bad at all? Yes, it is. However, that was not the sole thrust of my argument. I will elaborate: Silver is the best conductor. Copper is the second best conductor. However, copper is rarely used as a contact material, since it oxidises readily and copper oxide is a very poor conductor. It is, in fact, a 'semi-conductor'. Silver does not oxidise readily and silver oxide is an excellent conductor anyway. Gold is a much poorer conductor. Additionally and critically, due to cost constraints, gold is only ever plated very thinly, whereas silver can be plated much more thickly, thanks to it's relatively low cost. So, since bare copper cannot be practically used for contacts, it must be suitably plated. Silver is the best plating material for power connections (which is why it is the preferred choice in almost all high power areas, such as contactors, relays, RF equipment, etc). Gold or rhodium makes a good choice for LOW POWER connections, where lack of oxidisation is the primary advantage. 9 hours ago, Primare Knob said: Does a Neutrik still make sense for a connection that doesn't move or changes? Of course. As stated, Neutrik connections are FAR more secure than ANY IEC connector (regardless of cost), since the connections are permanently under pressure. Refer, also to the plating thing above. 9 hours ago, Primare Knob said: And what about the other end. The whole cable will only be as good as the total product. Sent from my HTC_0PKV1 using Tapatalk A cable is only as good as it's weakest link. The IEC connector is the weakest link. The IEC connector was designed, first and foremost, to be cheap. It was never designed to be a high quality connector. It is, like the RCA connector, a product arising from the demands of bean counters, not engineers. It has no place in quality equipment.
Batty Posted September 26, 2017 Posted September 26, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, Zaphod Beeblebrox said: A cable is only as good as it's weakest link. The IEC connector is the weakest link. The IEC connector was designed, first and foremost, to be cheap. It was never designed to be a high quality connector. It is, like the RCA connector, a product arising from the demands of bean counters, not engineers. It has no place in quality equipment. True, but I work in the RF field and all of the costly instruments use IEC connectors. Some of these instruments are tens of thousands of dollars. Doesn't make sense really when all they had to do was omit the connector and use a captive lead. Actually the only instrument we have that uses a captive lead is an AC power supply/analyser which requires 32 amps. Edited September 26, 2017 by Batty
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted September 26, 2017 Posted September 26, 2017 24 minutes ago, Batty said: True, but I work in the RF field and all of the costly instruments use IEC connectors. Some of these instruments are tens of thousands of dollars. Doesn't make sense really when all they had to do was omit the connector and use a captive lead. It makes sense for two reasons: * For low power equipment, there is no difference between connectors, power cables and the like. * The IEC connectors are standardised. 24 minutes ago, Batty said: Actually the only instrument we have that uses a captive lead is an AC power supply/analyser which requires 32 amps. OF course. High power consumption devices (like power amps) should NEVER use IEC connectors.
Guest Posted September 26, 2017 Posted September 26, 2017 Would have to agree with the captive lead and The "good connection" over an expensive lead theories The IEC can be the first source of a connection issue when fault finding and personally hate the things as IMHO are the weakest link in a high power critical power supply.
Guest Posted September 26, 2017 Posted September 26, 2017 To the OP Correct and compliant, no worries, good old Clipsal Plug assembly and grey Olex flex at 1.5mm2 cannot ask for much better
Guest Posted September 27, 2017 Posted September 27, 2017 (edited) maintain solid brass tips with a drop of brass O and fine SCOTCH pad . Normally the one that cruises around the kitchen sink for burnt stainless pots. I wouldn't be too concerned with paying and waiting for anything that is plated with some sort of unobtainum or expensivism. Edited September 27, 2017 by Guest
Primare Knob Posted October 14, 2017 Author Posted October 14, 2017 (edited) Does a shielded cable make any sense? My biggest concern by bypassing the ICE connector is that I have to modify the equipment by changing the plug or eliminating the plug. A captive lead, is that one that is fixed to the equipment without any (IEC) connector? Edited October 14, 2017 by Primare Knob
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted October 14, 2017 Posted October 14, 2017 7 hours ago, Primare Knob said: Does a shielded cable make any sense? IF there is a problem that requires solving (ie: You have induced noise from a power cable into a low level cable), then yes. If you do not have an obvious, audible or measurable problem, then no. 7 hours ago, Primare Knob said: My biggest concern by bypassing the ICE connector is that I have to modify the equipment by changing the plug or eliminating the plug. Correct. That is a not inconsiderable one, as it can devalue your equipment. Also, as above, if there is no obvious fault, there is no real reason to change. The old tech's adage applies: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' 7 hours ago, Primare Knob said: A captive lead, is that one that is fixed to the equipment without any (IEC) connector? Yep, just like the old days. 1
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