Question about assembling my own DIY AC Cable

Pure copper is a soft metal and does not have any memory retention properties. Copper contacts of the IEC will not hold the female contacts tightly against the IEC inlet male plug blades...

The above quote is correct and is the primary reason that many AC plugs and IECs actually do not use pure copper, although some have figured out a way to use pure copper contacts in some of their products and still provide the necessary gripping tension, like this product from Furutech. This link to Oyaide indicates their use of phosphor bronze and beryllium copper contacts, which is actually common.

Pure copper is closest to stranded wire.  Imaging using stranded wire to grip anything.  😁  Even if you use solid core wire, imagine using 12 gauge wire to grip something.  It's impossible unless extremely short. You must have an alloy. 

However, pure copper under pressure like under a screw in an outlet, now that's a good connection.,

rayleigh OP

3 posts

09-06-2022 at 11:51am

jea48 said:

Pure copper is a soft metal and does not have any memory retention properties. Copper contacts of the IEC will not hold the female contacts tightly against the IEC inlet male plug blades...

@rayleigh said:

I disagree, all audiophile IEC’s even from Furutech or Oyaide have the conductors of pure copper.

Are you sure about that? All female IEC connector contacts are made of pure copper? I see the Furutech says pure copper but I would bet the copper has some sort of a alloy that gives it memory tension.

Furutech top line grounding type 125V duplex receptacles use copper contacts but you will notice Furutech uses a non ferrous stainless steel spring clip for its’ memory tension to maintain a tight solid fit connection against the male plug blades.

Here is what Oyaide uses on the C-004 female IEC connector. Beryllium provides the memory tension.

The basic material for the Oyaide C-004 is Beryllium Copper, which provides maximum conductivity, strength, and a secure contact.

https://www.vhaudio.com/oyaide-c-004.html

I have an AudioQuest 125V duplex outlet that also uses Beryllium Copper for its’ contacts.

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I would suggest you check with a credible source if the IEC connector you are looking at is just pure copper.... Pure copper alone is soft copper.

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@mitch2 and @erik_squires ,

You beat me to it...

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rayleigh OP

3 posts

09-06-2022 at 11:53am 

I will connect it to my tube amp here is a picture of it

FWIW, my tube ARC amps don't like shielded power cords.

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