So you think wire conductors in cables are directional? Think again...

I've never bought into the directionality myth. Blind tests over the years indicate I cant tell the difference when the directions are reversed, no matter where the arrow is. I align the arrows just to assuage my OCD, but that's all.


The same with most cable quality. My 15' and 20' lengths of Canare 12 gauge speaker cable is indistinguishable from the 8 foot runs of Acoustic Zen Holograms I had before.

I especially found interesting in the link to the Physics Forum the idea that this myth is even more fantastic when it comes to digital signals.

Alternating current alternates, it's the energy that flows in one direction. 

Those guys in the link above from the OP, when they start talking about digital signal as 0's and 1's, well they pretty lost all their credibility.  Only a layman would think digital as 0 and 1.

Alternating current alternates, it's the energy that flows in one direction.

Congratulations!  You finally got it.

andy21,290 posts05-13-2021 5:24pm

It's just not true...especially for AC. The AC current travels in both directions. Here's an easy explanation.

Wrong. AC current travels in one direction. Look up Poynting vector. We've been through this. You're a bit late to the party.

The link you provided is like high-school level for those who can't get past first year college.

Watch this animation. The vector moves in one direction. The current does not...hence Alternating Current. Like turning the pedals on a bicycle.


https://brilliant.org/wiki/poynting-vector/