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pwr. cables:plug end vs. iec end,sq.

post #1 of 4
12/7/09 at 2:04am
Thread Starter 
hi,

i found when building my own power cords the quality of the plug end was much more important than that of the iec end. anyone else notice this? or is it common knowledge and i am just not aware of. in fact, i have noticed cutting the end off a $100 cable and replacing only the plug with a wattgate will greatly improve it's sq.

thanks,
music_man
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post #2 of 4
12/7/09 at 7:15am
I find no difference whatsoever, unless it's an ancient cord where the wire was frayed and that is cut out, or the outlet seriously degraded and the new plug makes different contact.

Usually an improvement with a different plug is only placebo effect, IMO.
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post #3 of 4
12/8/09 at 12:54am
Thread Starter 
mono, do you feel the same way about complete aftermarket powercords?

music_man
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post #4 of 4
12/8/09 at 6:26am
Yes/no/maybe. If the cord it replaces is frayed or of insufficient gauge to keep it from being an impedance it ought to be replaced.

On the other hand, the power travels from the power company many miles, to the house, throughout the house, the last few feet (if the proper gauge for the current) aren't going to matter much compared to all those miles before it.

I do like decoupling inside the power jack of the (amp or power supply, etc) to cut down on HF pickup, but a fancy shielded wire has no point when those same miles of wire before it weren't shielded unless you have some RF emitting equipment very near that is (probably) illegal in it's emission levels.

However, they look nice, some resist kinks and abrasion better than standard cords, and "if" it's going to be plugged and unplugged a lot then a durable plug and strain relief on it is a good idea. Towards that end, a poor original plug replaced with (even same thing) after some wear may be an improvement electrically but it also depends on your peak current requirement.

Then there's the outlet itself, if over a few years old any random $2 outlet from the hardware store might be better than old oxidized brass contacts in the original outlet.
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