Tubes Asylum

Okay to use Plenum CAT-5 as hookup wire in Heathkit AA-121 ?

99.245.142.253

Cyril R

And if the answer is yes, then would it be better to use just one single strand of 24awg solid core wire or would it be better to use either a tightly twisted pair, or three strands tightly braided ? I guess with the latter (due to the thickness of the three wires) I may have trouble getting the wire into some of the tube socket pin holes and terminal strip holes.

Any other benefits/drawbacks vis-a-vis single strand vs multiple strands that I'm not aware of...or should watch out for ?

If CAT-5 is not a good option, then what would be a better option ? It's just that I have a lot of it lying around...and wanted to put it to good use.

Later,

Cyril

Follow Ups:

My first considerations..... - doodlebug 03:59:06 03/26/08 (7)
would be whether CAT5 wire's insulation can handle the voltages found in tube gear. I'm not clear that the voltage breakdown spec for CAT5 wiring is sufficient for long-term use, especially if the wire is run close to other CAT5 wiring in the unit.

Next would be thermal stability of the insulation in a hotter environment than found in normal house wiring. This might be less of an issue but could be if the wiring has to be close to higher-wattage resistors or chokes.

What I've been using is wiring with a 600v or 1000v insulation breakdown spec. It comes in small rolls and was available in Radio Shacks but I've not looked lately.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

David
- RE: My first considerations..... - LineArrayNut 06:29:39 03/26/08 (6)
  His post listed plenum Cat5 for consideration. Most plenum rated is based on teflon insulation (ie. Belden 1585a) or at least a fluorine bearing polymer derivative. This is good for 300VRMS. I've used it as CVH 27 pair speaker cable at 450W rms with no issues. Anecdotal reports up to 500v, but I would not. Works great for signal though. No issues with heat would be expected with plenum rated.
  I *like* the loudness button!
  - RE: My first considerations..... - Cyril R 16:02:55 03/27/08 (5)
    I too have made the CVH recipe speaker cables....and this is the wire left over from that project...and therefore i want to try put it to some good use.
    
    I too thought that it (the plenum rated cable) was made to withstand fires etc....but i do see (in the Heathkit AA-121 schematic) that the voltages go up to around 450V or more. So that makes me wonder whether I'd still be okay or not.
    
    Later,
    
    C
    - RE: My first considerations..... - LineArrayNut 19:41:01 03/27/08 (3)
      I'd get some wire from navships on fleapay:
      
      http://stores.ebay.com/Johns-Silver-Teflon-Wire-Shop
      
      for that voltage/purpose. No affiliation besides a very satisfied repeat customer.
      I *like* the loudness button!
      mil-spec wire (Open in New Window)
      - RE: My first considerations..... - Cyril R 08:41:44 03/28/08 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: My first considerations..... posted by LineArrayNut on March 27, 2008 at 19:41:01
        
        Thanks for the pic/links. Two things though :
        
        1. The picture that you attached above....which item was it in the eBay listing link that you also included ?
        
        2. Also, I don't see anywhere (on the eBay listing) mention of the fact that they can withstand voltages or 500V+.
        
        RE: My first considerations..... - LineArrayNut 12:38:53 03/28/08 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: My first considerations..... posted by Cyril R on March 28, 2008 at 08:41:44
        
        Because he's a respected seller, his wire goes quick, it was available last night.
        
        http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300200112442&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=020
        
        try here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230234053277&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=380010990209&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BIA%26itu%3DIA%252BUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D42#ebayphotohosting
        I *like* the loudness button!
        old auction on that site (Open in New Window)
        
        Thanks for the new link....will try that out (EOM) - Cyril R 07:19:21 03/29/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: My first considerations..... posted by LineArrayNut on March 28, 2008 at 12:38:53
        
        .
    - RE: My first considerations..... - doodlebug 19:27:51 03/27/08 (0)
      IIRC, plenum CAT5 does not give off toxic gasses when heated to typical building fire temperatures.
      
      This is not the same consideration as insulation that's rated to withstand high voltages on the order found in older tube gear.
      
      Cheers,
      
      David
I use it as hookup wire....it works great - Bas Horneman 05:34:27 03/25/08 (5)
I use just a single strand. Except for wires that go to ground. I use a twisted pair.
To infinity and beyond!!!
- RE: I use it as hookup wire....it works great - Cyril R 11:48:58 03/25/08 (4)
  k, thanks for the confirmation.
  
  It's just that I find the single strand of CAT-5 to be somewhat thinner than the existing wire in my Heathkit AA-121 amp....so I though I should double up the CAT-5 strands to get closer to the original wires currently installed.
  
  Would doubling up on all wires cause any problems as such ?
  - No doubling up would not cause any problems. - Bas Horneman 13:33:14 03/26/08 (1)
    as the posters above said though these cat5 wires are not really guaranteed to offer insulation when using high voltages.. but i've used it up to 500 volts..but that is no guarantee ofcourse.
    To infinity and beyond!!!
    - RE: No doubling up would not cause any problems. - Cyril R 16:04:39 03/27/08 (0)
      Thanks...good to know that you've used it in an application where the voltage has been has high as 500V...since my Heathkit AA-121 schematic shows voltages upto to 450V+.
  - RE: I'm curious why you would want to use CAT-5 as hookup wire. - SirAnthony 11:00:35 03/26/08 (1)
    Is it because it's cheap? Is it the Teflon? Maybe you already know this but I'll mention it anyway. CAT-5 works well for iterconnect and speaker wire because of the twisted pairs and the Teflon inslation. The twisted pairs cancel noise with alternating current. If you aren't running positive and negative on each side of the twisted pair, theres no benefit to the twisting. If you want twisted pairs, it's easy to twist hook up wire together. Why would you want to extract it from CAT-5 cable?
    - RE: I'm curious why you would want to use CAT-5 as hookup wire. - Cyril R 16:10:10 03/27/08 (0)
      Well, a few things :
      
      1. I already have a bunch of left-over CAT-5 from my speaker cable project
      2. Indeed, the teflon insulation and the fact that it's solid core 24g copper wire
      3. The only reason I'm thinking about using a twisted pair (vs a single solid core strand) is that the CAT-5 single strand is quite a bit thinner than the existing hookup wire in my amp...so I thought doubling up the CAT-5 would bring it to the same thickness as the existing hookup wire.
      
      That's all

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Sonic Craft