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power cables vs audio cables
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the architech



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PostPosted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:14 am    Post subject: power cables vs audio cables Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

So it was suggested to me that I use XLR to run dual ac power to my synth (I don't want to hardwire, I'd like the PSU to stay independent), but that most XLR is made for low power audio. Is this true, is there more impedance if I were to use the 3' XLRs I have laying around? If I do make XLR cables, how would I make them for power as opposed to audio? Is it a wire gauge thing?

Would it be easier if I just used a standard 3-prong power jack?
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PHOBoS



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PostPosted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:21 pm    Post subject: Re: power cables vs audio cables Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

the architech wrote:
So it was suggested to me that I use XLR to run dual ac power to my synth (I don't want to hardwire, I'd like the PSU to stay independent), but that most XLR is made for low power audio. Is this true, is there more impedance if I were to use the 3' XLRs I have laying around? If I do make XLR cables, how would I make them for power as opposed to audio? Is it a wire gauge thing?

hi, it's me again Wink

what you'll be connecting is the dual DC voltage (not AC). anyway, yes it's a gauge thing. With a thicker wire you can get more current with less
loss because the resistance is lower, which means less noise. but you could try it. I just use standard mains wires for it (something you would
use to connect a lamp or something). I'm not sure if the impedance would matter for use as a power cable but it might. That's actually
something I'm curious about myself.

Quote:
Would it be easier if I just used a standard 3-prong power jack?

assuming you mean the ones that you normally use to connect a device to the mains power.
Never use those for anything else out of safety reasons. no no

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the architech



Joined: Oct 29, 2010
Posts: 55
Location: Philadelphia

PostPosted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:09 am    Post subject: Re: power cables vs audio cables Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Quote:
Would it be easier if I just used a standard 3-prong power jack?

assuming you mean the ones that you normally use to connect a device to the mains power.
Never use those for anything else out of safety reasons. no no[/quote]

What's unsafe about them? You had said before that I just needed a 3-prong cable, and they are intended for power.
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blue hell
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:30 am    Post subject: Re: power cables vs audio cables Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

the architech wrote:
What's unsafe about them?


Well .. one day you might confuse them with a mains lead or outlet and <kaboom> Shocked

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the architech



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PostPosted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

ok, but if regular XLRs have impedance issues, I could just as easily use an audio cable by accident. Doesn't result in a frying, but still undesirable. I'd really rather not make my own cable, but I will if I have to. And if I have to, seems like I should use non-typical connections to avoid confusion with any other standard cable, eh?
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PHOBoS



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PostPosted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

yes, using a kind of connector that you don't use for anything else would be ideal. I don't use XLR for anything else myself (might change in the future)
so I can't confuse it (and the cables I used are much less flexible then microphone cables). But I like the ones Gary posted in the other thread.

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