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Please assure me I'm not going to burn my house down.

I recently bought some new mono class D amps to replace a stereo class D. I had a pair of identical diy power cords connected to the stereo amp and my preamp.

Well, with monos I was obviously going to use the identical power cords. So I needed a new PC for my pre, as the older diy version I had laying around just used thhn wire from Lowe’s and didn’t sound great. So, after some thought and research, I decided to make a PC out of cat 5 plenum cable. I kept it in its blue sleeve (containing 4 twisted pairs) and then I braided 3 lengths together for each conductor. I then took those three braids and braided them. What I have sounds incredible and I’m fairly confident that it is safe electrically.

Please reassure me. Or tell me I forgot about x, and that I should cease and desist. Or laugh at how cheap I am...

But really, I’m not going to start a fire here, am I? 8 conductors per length x 3 lengths for each conductor equals 24 strands of 24awg. Which equals 10awg for each conductor...
128x128toddverrone
Post removed 
williewonka
1,826 posts
 
The problem with CAT5 cable - it is not rated for mains use - period!!!

As another poster commented - the insulation needs to be rated to mains cable levels. i.e. capable of withstanding 600v at 200 celsius

CAT5 is OK for speaker cables or IC’s, but it should NEVER use for mains use!

Granted - a pre-amp drawers low current under normal operating conditions, but the wires used in mains cables are rated for conditions that exist under a fault condition (i.e. short circuit).

And as other posters have noted above - Insurance companies will not pay if YOUR CABLE is determined to be the caused of a fire.

Regards...
joeylawn36111
574 posts
 
Good point, williewonka - the insulation isn't really up to snuff for 120VAC. 

Bottom line = Using proper mains cable rated for line voltage - almost zero chance of a problem (properly wired, of course)

- Using CAT5 cable - a small, but significant risk that definately(sp?) above zero.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
4,637 posts
 
I would listen to the advice above. I am an avid DIY guy also building all my own power cords etc... Cat5 is not a good option. 
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone OP
838 posts
 
I’m not dead yet.. ;-)

Wiliewonka - cat 5 plenum cable insulation is Teflon and is good to 200* C. Cat 5 is also rated to 300v. Not 600, but well above 120.
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