DIY mains cables

[sburrell]

Hi,

I'm short on cash but long on time - is building my own DIY mains cable something a non-solder savvy chappy like me can do?

I'm looking at making two mains cables - one for my (AV) amp and one for my AV display. Both of these use the standard C15/C16 coupler (kettle plugs).

From what I've read, I should be looking at Belden 19364 cable or Mark Grant's DSP 2.5 dual screened power cable, and silver-plated mains plugs. Not sure what to get for the C15 connector though.

Ideally I'd like to make both cables for no more than £25 all-in. Doable?

Ta :)

[Ali Tait]

Have a look here Simon, you'll get everything you need-

http://www.hificollective.co.uk/componentshome.html

[worthingpagan]

Depends on what plugs you want to use. Cables range from about £3.50 pre metre right up to silly money. Supra cables 1.5mm is on offer for £8.50m at hificables.co.uk.

You can get good quality uk mains plugs for less than a couple of quid, but if you're after silver plated then it'll cost you a fair bit more. What do you want, quality or quantity?

I've made quite a few of my own cables and the average price is around £12 a cable inc plugs and connectors. Shop about a bit, you'll find better deals. Don't be shy to by stuff from Japan, some of it is very good quality compared to some of the bloated prices of the more well known brands ;)

[RochaCullen]

Hi,

I'm short on cash but long on time - is building my own DIY mains cable something a non-solder savvy chappy like me can do?

I'm looking at making two mains cables - one for my (AV) amp and one for my AV display. Both of these use the standard C15/C16 coupler (kettle plugs).

From what I've read, I should be looking at Belden 19364 cable or Mark Grant's DSP 2.5 dual screened power cable, and silver-plated mains plugs. Not sure what to get for the C15 connector though.

Ideally I'd like to make both cables for no more than £25 all-in. Doable?

Ta :)

I was in the same situation recently and ordered some kit from David who is on this forum and who also runs:
http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/

The cables were easy to put together, the components were of very good quality, and they do the job nicely.

For each cable I ordered:



One of these: http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/iec-connectors/177-martin-kaiser-iec-connector.html
A metre of this: http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/cable-off-the-reel/14-belden-19364-audio-grade-cable.html
And one of these: http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/mains-plugs/61-mains-cables-r-us-reference-mains-plug-.html


I think david does a discount for AOS members.

Regards,

Nathan

[worthingpagan]

This cable is within your quoted budget, I have a couple and they work :stalks:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ixos-XHP125-UK-Mains-Cable-3m-/380235033509?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item5887c62ba5



And you can always strip it down and add your own plugs and connectors if you want

[dave2010]

I never really understand the fuss about mains cables, but these do seem to have two pairs twisted out of the three. The neutral and earth appear to be twisted - not sure what that does.

I can understand that running some signal cables near to mains cables might cause interference and problems (actually it does ...), though what can be done with the mains cables themselves other than screening them and earthing the screen I don't know. I'm not sure that twisting the live and neutral together would be a good idea - might introduce other problems.

I usually try to avoid running signal cables close to mains, or if I do avoid parallel runs, and use screened signal cables.

I view some of this as snake oil stuff, but I'm willing to reconsider.

[worthingpagan]

Dave, they only twist the neutral & earth wires together mate. I attached solid silver mains cables to my cd player & dvd & the difference was quite astonishing, but then so it should be, those cables cost around £200. That's not to say you have to pay that to gain a worthwhile improvement, as previously stated, I've made cables sourcing materials costing around £12 on avarage ;) and they do work, though I don't understand the science behind it all, i'm only a humble decorator

[Rare Bird]

This is what i paid per lead to make them how i wanted (too look good) :lolsign:

1mtr Belden '19364' mains cable - £6.75
Standard Wattgate 320 - £16.58
2 mtr Braided expandable sleeve - £2.98
1 mtr 20mm Heatshrink Sleeve £1.59
High Quality black mains plug £5.99

[Ali Tait]

Jerry mentioned on another thread about a £20 ebay cable that he liked, might be worth a look.

[Alex_UK]

Jerry mentioned on another thread about a £20 ebay cable that he liked, might be worth a look.

I believe it is one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audio-Friendly-SILVER-Mains-Power-cable-1-metre-/220551478579?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item3359e47d33#ht_1815wt_905

I use their Silver & Gold version on my amp which is a bit more expensive, but never felt the need to change it.

[RochaCullen]

I believe it is one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audio-Friendly-SILVER-Mains-Power-cable-1-metre-/220551478579?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item3359e47d33#ht_1815wt_905

I use their Silver & Gold version on my amp which is a bit more expensive, but never felt the need to change it.

I was just about to post this, Jerry is singing the praises of his new power amp and he uses this mains cable with it.

[worthingpagan]

This is what i paid per lead to make them how i wanted (too look good) :lolsign:

1mtr Belden '19364' mains cable - £6.75
Standard Wattgate 320 - £16.58
2 mtr Braided expandable sleeve - £2.98
1 mtr 20mm Heatshrink Sleeve £1.59
High Quality black mains plug £5.99


I can beat that price hands down and still look good :ner:

[worthingpagan]

I believe it is one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audio-Friendly-SILVER-Mains-Power-cable-1-metre-/220551478579?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item3359e47d33#ht_1815wt_905

I use their Silver & Gold version on my amp which is a bit more expensive, but never felt the need to change it.


I've had these in the past, keeping my opinions to myself :goodluck:

[RochaCullen]

I've had these in the past, keeping my opinions to myself :goodluck:

I'd be interested in your opinions as I was thinking of getting a couple of them.

Nathan

[sburrell]

Wow, lots of responses. :)

RochaCullen: I guess my question is, how much of a discount did you get? According to the current prices of those components through your links, it's actually slightly more expensive to construct that cable yourself than to buy it pre-made on the same site. But that's actually the cable I'm hoping to make - reviews appear to be good.

worthingpagan: Hmm, that's not too bad. If it proves too difficult to DIY a better cable for the money, I may go for that.

Alex_UK and Ali: That cable looks like another good option - I like that it's got silver connectors. But buying two would put me over budget by 50%.
By the way, did you notice the tagline for that company?

Some of the world’s great treasures are found in remote and ancient forest temples, surrounded by fiendish booby traps and the bones of many a foolhardy adventurer. Others are found on eBay.
Cute :)

Right, well, tomorrow I'm going to try to source MK Silver-plated ToughPlugs and BELDEN 19364 cable locally to shave off the cost of P&P. Once I've done that I'll see where I stand.

Thanks for the advice so far :)

[MCRU]

Wow, lots of responses. :)

RochaCullen: I guess my question is, how much of a discount did you get? According to the current prices of those components through your links, it's actually slightly more expensive to construct that cable yourself than to buy it pre-made on the same site. But that's actually the cable I'm hoping to make - reviews appear to be good.

worthingpagan: Hmm, that's not too bad. If it proves too difficult to DIY a better cable for the money, I may go for that.

Alex_UK and Ali: That cable looks like another good option - I like that it's got silver connectors. But buying two would put me over budget by 50%.
By the way, did you notice the tagline for that company?

Cute :)

Right, well, tomorrow I'm going to try to source MK Silver-plated ToughPlugs and BELDEN 19364 cable locally to shave off the cost of P&P. Once I've done that I'll see where I stand.

Thanks for the advice so far :)

why the emphasis on the lowest possible price? :)

cheapest is never best in my experience, spending a bit more always reaps benefits

[Effem]

The cable on ebay is our old friend SY robotics cable designed for use on industrial machinery.

Buy cheap, buy twice. Wise words.

[MCRU]

The cable on ebay is our old friend SY robotics cable designed for use on industrial machinery.

Buy cheap, buy twice. Wise words.

quite

I am honestly gobsmacked when anyone says that sy cable has improved their system, they would probably not know it is sy when commenting, the descriptions on e-bay are to be frank (no pun intended) taking the piss.

[Mark Grant]

I believe it is one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audio-Friendly-SILVER-Mains-Power-cable-1-metre-/220551478579?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item3359e47d33#ht_1815wt_905

I use their Silver & Gold version on my amp which is a bit more expensive, but never felt the need to change it.

If you look closely at the picture of the contacts in the IEC connector the top contact is not even seated correctly, the gap between the 'prongs' of each contact is not the same, the gap in contacts at the bottom of the picture looks a bit too wide to grip a contact in a socket tightly.

It is a very low price though.

[worthingpagan]

[QUOTE=sburrell;237353]
Right, well, tomorrow I'm going to try to source MK Silver-plated ToughPlugs and BELDEN 19364 cable locally to shave off the cost of P&P. Once I've done that I'll see where I stand.

If you're sticking to your original budget of £25 for 2 cables you'll have about enough to buy 2 silver plated toughplugs and a metre of cable! You might be better off buying 2nd hand mate, or saving up a bit more and checking out Mark Grant or Mains Cables r us for accessories. At least you'll know the quality will be there ;)

[Alex_UK]

Note to self: As soon as spending embargo is lifted, follow the advice in this thread and get rid of my crap cable!

In the meantime, would I be better off going back to a standard kettle lead, do you reckon?

[Welder]

Note to Alex’s wife:

Tell Alex that in future if he can’t make it then he can’t have it ;)

(Hope this helps because it should cover a lot a male hormone induced extravagances and you should find an easy work around when it comes to dragging him off to bed)
:lol:

[Alex_UK]

Note to Alex’s wife:

Tell Alex that in future if he can’t make it then he can’t have it ;)

(Hope this helps because it should cover a lot a male hormone induced extravagances and you should find an easy work around when it comes to dragging him off to bed)
:lol:

:lolsign:

[sburrell]

Mains Cables R Us:

why the emphasis on the lowest possible price?

cheapest is never best in my experience, spending a bit more always reaps benefits
'Cos i ain't got the money :) My situation is that I have a fixed and limited budget, so I have to squeeze the best I can out of my meagre funds. Obversely, there's the feeling of success after struggling within the constrictions imposed by my financial limitations (without "tilting the board") and yet still managing to achieve some semblance of enjoyable, high-fidelity audio :)

But mostly, it's the former. :eyebrows:

EDIT: actually, I've just had a thought. DIY mains cables are modular - so, what I should do is use my £25 to get the best I can for now, and then upgrade a particular component when the money's there. In which case, given that the silver-plated plugs are the most expensive aspect of the cable I'm aiming for, they can wait till later. In the meantime, I should just spend the £25 on the Belden and the IEC connectors. That should be easily doable for £25, if not less.

Yeah, up here for thinking, eh? :)

[dave2010]

Although I'm still slightly sceptical about this mains stuff, that Belden cable with the screen seems to make quite a lot of sense if mains borne interference is a problem.

I still can't figure out why a twisted pair of Neutral and Earth would be a good idea - seen in one of the other cables.

Also not sure that gold or silver mains plugs are strictly necessary, but may look nice, and save having to polish or sand the connectors from time to time. If not much more than normal ones I'd accept that reducing the oxidation and dirt build up could be a good idea, though surely you'd still get that with silver, which suggests gold or platinum as the only serious metals to use.

[Rare Bird]

My silver plugs (even treated) are a nightmare to keep clean lol..I wish Rhodium over was more widly available..I'm sorry to say this but i cannot be arsed to keep maintaining a set of flaming mains plugs.

[worthingpagan]

My silver plugs (even treated) are a nightmare to keep clean lol..I wish Rhodium over was more widly available..I'm sorry to say this but i cannot be arsed to keep maintaining a set of flaming mains plugs.


You dont have to clean them, that's one of the bonuses of silver contacts ;)

[MCRU]

My silver plugs (even treated) are a nightmare to keep clean lol..I wish Rhodium over was more widly available..I'm sorry to say this but i cannot be arsed to keep maintaining a set of flaming mains plugs.

I sell loads of rhodium plated mains plugs dude, and oxidized silver is STILL a good conductor so no cleaning needed.

Here is a special deal for today only to help anyone on a meagre budget experience the joys of a good entry level power cord:-

uk mains plug dipped in de-oxit (twice), 1 metre belden 19364 cable and a martin kaiser iec de-oxit treated also.........................£15 delivered....oh and I will even wire it all up as long as not too many people order one as I am quite busy at the moment!

optional extra of silver plated plug and connector add £5

and finally optional extra of rhodium plated plug and connector add £20

hope that helps

[steveinfrance]

Now that a lot of UK electricity is made in France replacement of cables back to source is likely to be rather expensive.
I don't believe mains cables make a blind bit of difference-someone somewhere pointed out that once the electrons fall out of your platinum plug they end up going through a really crappy fuseholder and fuse then around many metres of cheapo copper wire in the transformer.
Seriously one thing I have found makes a real difference is an independent earth. This has been covered many times before but has scientific strength and may not be too hard to implement.
Steve

[MCRU]

Now that a lot of UK electricity is made in France replacement of cables back to source is likely to be rather expensive.
I don't believe mains cables make a blind bit of difference-someone somewhere pointed out that once the electrons fall out of your platinum plug they end up going through a really crappy fuseholder and fuse then around many metres of cheapo copper wire in the transformer.
Seriously one thing I have found makes a real difference is an independent earth. This has been covered many times before but has scientific strength and may not be too hard to implement.
Steve

I always find it funny (sorry :) ) when people post comments like this, I must ask Mr Anderson who just purchased 2 Ultimate Power Cords off me for his Audio Research Power Amps if they made a difference, now if they didn't would he not send them back at £695 each?

[worthingpagan]

Now that a lot of UK electricity is made in France replacement of cables back to source is likely to be rather expensive.
I don't believe mains cables make a blind bit of difference-someone somewhere pointed out that once the electrons fall out of your platinum plug they end up going through a really crappy fuseholder and fuse then around many metres of cheapo copper wire in the transformer.
Seriously one thing I have found makes a real difference is an independent earth. This has been covered many times before but has scientific strength and may not be too hard to implement.
Steve




Either you haven't tried any or those you have tried were fake

[worthingpagan]

I sell loads of rhodium plated mains plugs dude, and oxidized silver is STILL a good conductor so no cleaning needed.

Here is a special deal for today only to help anyone on a meagre budget experience the joys of a good entry level power cord:-

uk mains plug dipped in de-oxit (twice), 1 metre belden 19364 cable and a martin kaiser iec de-oxit treated also.........................£15 delivered....oh and I will even wire it all up as long as not too many people order one as I am quite busy at the moment!

optional extra of silver plated plug and connector add £5

and finally optional extra of rhodium plated plug and connector add £20

hope that helps


You can't say fairer than that :)

[steveinfrance]

I always find it funny (sorry :) ) when people post comments like this, I must ask Mr Anderson who just purchased 2 Ultimate Power Cords off me for his Audio Research Power Amps if they made a difference, now if they didn't would he not send them back at £695 each?

Well of course they'll make a difference. He's spent 1400 quid so they've GOT to make a difference.
Tell me how a bit of wire plugged into a filthy old 13A socket connected to a plastic cabled ring main by cheap screw connectors going back to a crummy consumer unit with more screw commectors and MCB's with lousy contacts (etc. etc.) can have a real effect on sounds produced by smoothed DC current on the other side of a transformer and I'll start looking at religion as a serious option.
Steve

[Effem]

Well of course they'll make a difference. He's spent 1400 quid so they've GOT to make a difference.
Tell me how a bit of wire plugged into a filthy old 13A socket connected to a plastic cabled ring main by cheap screw connectors going back to a crummy consumer unit with more screw commectors and MCB's with lousy contacts (etc. etc.) can have a real effect on sounds produced by smoothed DC current on the other side of a transformer and I'll start looking at religion as a serious option.
Steve

If that is how your electricity supply is within your household you don't need a sooper dooper power cord, you might need a fire extinguisher instead :eyebrows:

For those of us that have none of that, the short length of sooper dooper power cord is only replacing the cheap nasty inadequate "freebie" kettle lead, no more, no less. When that scrawny bit of wire wrapped in cheap plastic is the weakest link in the total loop resistance between your hi-fi component and the local electricity supply transformer, then replace it with a high quality upgrade power cord, you will hear a sound difference - assuming of course you know what you are listening for in the first place. It won't make your hi-fi sound twice as good, no, no, no. It will however have less hiss and background noise, imaging and soundstage depth acquires palpable realism, it will also reduce the bass boom and overhang you didn't even know you currently have . . . . . . .

You don't sound to me like an open minded person to be honest, so that's as much input as I intend to provide.

[steveinfrance]

If that is how your electricity supply is within your household you don't need a sooper dooper power cord, you might need a fire extinguisher instead :eyebrows:

For those of us that have none of that, the short length of sooper dooper power cord is only replacing the cheap nasty inadequate "freebie" kettle lead, no more, no less. When that scrawny bit of wire wrapped in cheap plastic is the weakest link in the total loop resistance between your hi-fi component and the local electricity supply transformer, then replace it with a high quality upgrade power cord, you will hear a sound difference - assuming of course you know what you are listening for in the first place. It won't make your hi-fi sound twice as good, no, no, no. It will however have less hiss and background noise, imaging and soundstage depth acquires palpable realism, it will also reduce the bass boom and overhang you didn't even know you currently have . . . . . . .

You don't sound to me like an open minded person to be honest, so that's as much input as I intend to provide.
Hmmm. In order to provide a mains lead with electrical equipment it must confirm to BS standard BSI 1363. If you haven't read and understood BSI 1363 you don't sound to me like an open minded person to be honest, so that's as much input as I intend to provide.
Steve

[Effem]

Hmmm. In order to provide a mains lead with electrical equipment it must confirm to BS standard BSI 1363. If you haven't read and understood BSI 1363 you don't sound to me like an open minded person to be honest, so that's as much input as I intend to provide.
Steve

Actually I do fully understand what BSI 1363 entails and my comments still stand.

[sburrell]

Steveinfrance: I don't want this thread to turn into an "are 3rd-party mains cables snake oil?" debate. But I will ask you to state where in the BS 1363 standard it specifies anything that relates to the _quality_ of the electricity supplied, rather than the safety. An admittedly cursory run through the standard indicates to me that the standard was implemented for the latter, not the former. But I am willing to be shown where the standard dictates for the quality of electricity provision.

[worthingpagan]

Hmmm. In order to provide a mains lead with electrical equipment it must confirm to BS standard BSI 1363. If you haven't read and understood BSI 1363 you don't sound to me like an open minded person to be honest, so that's as much input as I intend to provide.
Steve

Oh dear :(

[sburrell]

My silver plugs (even treated) are a nightmare to keep clean lol..I wish Rhodium over was more widly available..I'm sorry to say this but i cannot be arsed to keep maintaining a set of flaming mains plugs.

As my dear mum says: Life's too short to peel a tomato.;)

[Alex_UK]

As my dear mum says: Life's too short to peel a tomato.;)

I like it! Mine used to say "Life's too short to cook your dinner, I'm off down the pub - have you seen my fags?" Bless her.

[steveinfrance]

Steveinfrance: I don't want this thread to turn into an "are 3rd-party mains cables snake oil?" debate. But I will ask you to state where in the BS 1363 standard it specifies anything that relates to the _quality_ of the electricity supplied, rather than the safety. An admittedly cursory run through the standard indicates to me that the standard was implemented for the latter, not the former. But I am willing to be shown where the standard dictates for the quality of electricity provision.

Good point well made. You will see a requrement to deliver 13A at less than 100 mA drop. Call me picky but that supplies (let's be mean and set max current at 1000 mA drop ie 12 A) 12x250 V = 3 kW to your hididdlyfi. I don't see any standard for the 'quality' - Jeez how do you define the 'quality' of an electron. Let's be fair about this I'm happy to welcome any electron regardless of sex, religion, age or spin into my kit.

[worthingpagan]

Good point well made. You will see a requrement to deliver 13A at less than 100 mA drop. Call me picky but that supplies (let's be mean and set max current at 1000 mA drop ie 12 A) 12x250 V = 3 kW to your hididdlyfi. I don't see any standard for the 'quality' - Jeez how do you define the 'quality' of an electron. Let's be fair about this I'm happy to welcome any electron regardless of sex, religion, age or spin into my kit.


A Mini Cooper is a motor vehicle with an engine and four wheels. So is a Rolls Royce. No difference then?