Mains Cable

[pavalon]

Hi there

Inspired by northwest's thread on diy mains cable I decided to try a similar project.

I have a short length of Clear Audio cable connected to a wattage 320i connector and a MK plug so will just buy a new length of Lapp cable to connect to them.

After dismantling the plugs from the cable I noticed there is an extra earth wire at the end that was connected to the MK plug. Also the main earth wire is a different colour at each end of the cable:scratch:

Here is a photo showing the wires:
http://i45.tinypic.com/sq2x.jpg

Can someone here please explain why the extra wire and colour difference.

Thanks.

Peter

[Puffin]

If there is a screen inside the cable I would assume that the thinner diameter green wire is connected to the screen and terminated with the earth wire at the plug end only (I have assumed that the four wires have come from the 13A plug). So far as different coloured wiring is concerned, it looks to me like the earth wire is the turqouisey one, which appears to have a yellow flash only at one point (the pic does not give a 360degree shot at the other end to confirm otherwise).

[johnwhit]

As Rob says, the smaller diameter earth wire will be the drain wire from the foil or braided sheild and should be in contact throughout the length of the cable but only connected at the plug end to drain EMI/EFI to the ground point. The green sleeving on the smaller diameter wire is there just to insulate the wire inside the plug and should not be present inside the cable itself, this would confirm it to be the drain wire. It looks to be similar to the excellent Belden cable sold by MCRU.

John

[pavalon]

Rob/John - Thanks for the clarification and explanation.

Cheers.

Peter