Unconnected Drain Wires ?

I'm using power cable (CryoMax III) that hasshielded hot/neutral/ground wires AND a separate unshielded drain wire. This may be what the OP is talking about. Various discussions on AA's Cable Asylum recommend attaching such drain wires at the source end, the other end, both, or neither. It would be nice to resolve this issue, if there is a resolution. Dave

Dopogue, I agree with you... It means the shield of the cable is floating, not the safety equipment grounding conductor.

Shunyata's Diamondback shielded power cable and Venom shielded power cable both have their drain wires lifted at both ends of the cable.

Because Shunyata power cables are UL/CSA Listed cables Shunyata is required by UL to have a label on the cables that tells the consumer the drain wire is not connected to either end of the cable. Again it has nothing to do with the safety equipment grounding conductor of the cable.

By the way a shield on a power cable does not have to be grounded to reject RFI/EMI.

I guess I stand corrected. I've seen shielding drain wires on interconnects, mostly phono interconnects, and some speaker cables, but I've never seen a shield drain wire on a power cord. Live and learn.

Thanks,
John

The Belden 19364 cable which is used in the DIY Bob Crump designed 'Asylum' power cord has hot, neutral and ground wires, plus a metal foil shield and a separate drain wire.

Disconnected drain wire is not a safety hazard but it is not a good idea as the now floating shield will act like an antenna. If you are using a shield design always connect the drain at the wall side only.