Unconnected Drain Wires ?


I have seen some power cables for sale here that have unconnected drain wires.

What is a drain wire?

Why do they disconnect drain wires on some cables, but not on others?

Does an unconnected drain wire present a hazzard?

Thank you.
mmarvin19
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.
.............. 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.
03-11-09: Cpk

Cpk, I use to think the same way.... But how do yo explain the two Shunyata power cables I spoke of in my above post?