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Does it matter the wire gauge used in interconnects?
I am thinking of trying my hand on building some DIY interconnects. It will be balanced (XLR) and 10 feet long. I have seen interconnects made with thin 30 gauge wire, is there an advantage using super thin gauge wire?
I was thinking of using 20 gauge but is that too thick for interconnects?
ozzy
I was thinking of using 20 gauge but is that too thick for interconnects?
ozzy
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- 58 posts total
Thank you for the response. I am thinking the longer the interconnect the thicker the gauge should be. That's why I am considering using 20 gauge for a 10 foot run. I believe that should lower the resistance / capacitance. But, thinner wire may have other attributes and may be beneficial for higher frequencies. So any advise on this subject is welcome. ozzy |
Read this through to the end. http://www.image99.net/blog/files/4127b5fe2694586e383104364360373b-74.html Everything you need to know, and more... |
@ozzy AWG 20 sounds OK. My Acoustic Zen Absolute ICs have gauge 20 wires. I assume you're going to twist wires. XLR are usually twisted. Twisting exposes both wires evenly to external electric and magnetic fields reducing interference pickup (very effective). Twisting reduces inductance (not important here) and increases capacitance. Perhaps light twist? Twisting is effective when twist pitch is way below wavelength of offending signals. Let's assume 1" twist pitch is way below 0.3m wavelength of 1GHz signal. At these frequencies shield works great (skin effect). I would use insulation with low dielectric constant to lower capacitance between wires (Teflon?). Perhaps oversized overall tube with low dielectric constant to reduce capacitance to shield? (my ICs have foam Teflon insulation in oversized tubes). With thicker wires you risk skin effect, that starts at gauge 18 in copper at 20kHz, but speakers are usually inductive in character at these frequencies, meaning that impedance gets way higher reducing skin effect (If it is audible to start with). Good luck and let us know. |
- 58 posts total