To keep the power supply part of my tube headphone amplifier away from the amplifier part
I use XLR Neutrik connectors and braided cable mantles for the power supply lines to the amp part.
But the way I have done it does not satisfy me (see attached photo).
Those coloured tapes and the mantles will loosen after a while and I have to redo that taping and mantle connection to the connectors.
Is there a nicer way to do that job?
Of course I want to keep using those connectors because they do an excellent job.
I use XLR Neutrik connectors and braided cable mantles for the power supply lines to the amp part.
But the way I have done it does not satisfy me (see attached photo).
Those coloured tapes and the mantles will loosen after a while and I have to redo that taping and mantle connection to the connectors.
Is there a nicer way to do that job?
Of course I want to keep using those connectors because they do an excellent job.
Attachments
Well, i would not use XLR for connecting psu.
This is not their intended use ( Neutrick have Speakon inspired connectors dedicated to supply iirc) and in case of accident your insurance will not cover you.
Otherwise for colorcoding coloured heatshrink tube is nice and durable.
This is not their intended use ( Neutrick have Speakon inspired connectors dedicated to supply iirc) and in case of accident your insurance will not cover you.
Otherwise for colorcoding coloured heatshrink tube is nice and durable.
I use coloured heat shrink sleeving on my conrol desks and outboard. Multip pin XLR is OK for low voltage employment.
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/heat-shrink-tubing/7123579
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/heat-shrink-tubing/7123576
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/heat-shrink-tubing/7123579
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/heat-shrink-tubing/7123576
I know but only the cable mantle loosen NOT those cables itself!!. They are soldered to the pins.
Sorry i'm not sure i understand what you say ( english is not my native language).
Let me clarify my point: i used to work in place where a lot of different connectors type are used ( Xlr, ts, trs, bnc, Din, Harting,...) and where we had different people using those facility.
As a standard and to allow safety for customers each kind of connectors were dedicated to one and only thing.
Xlr are small level audio dedicated, so not supposed to withstand 200v+ between pins of connector themself ( beside the rating given is conservative and you don't run this much a risk as long as current are low ime).
I see an issue if someone plug an xlr mic or whatever into your psu. If you are the only one to use it and that is fine to you then ok.
An other approach could have been to use 5 or 6 pins XLR as it doesn't allow insertion of the typical mic kind.
But i had to tell you in case you wasn't aware. Let's say it is a reflex/habits inherited from job. 😉
Let me clarify my point: i used to work in place where a lot of different connectors type are used ( Xlr, ts, trs, bnc, Din, Harting,...) and where we had different people using those facility.
As a standard and to allow safety for customers each kind of connectors were dedicated to one and only thing.
Xlr are small level audio dedicated, so not supposed to withstand 200v+ between pins of connector themself ( beside the rating given is conservative and you don't run this much a risk as long as current are low ime).
I see an issue if someone plug an xlr mic or whatever into your psu. If you are the only one to use it and that is fine to you then ok.
An other approach could have been to use 5 or 6 pins XLR as it doesn't allow insertion of the typical mic kind.
But i had to tell you in case you wasn't aware. Let's say it is a reflex/habits inherited from job. 😉
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"(english is not my native language)".
You comment is perfectly understood. But the connectors are only used for private purpose and particularly in this application. But after looking into the spec I did not realize that the pin voltage may not exceed 50Vac But I do not know if it will differ much when carrying only DC voltage. Or do I interpret the spec wrongly?
Thanks for pointing anyway.
Joe.
No you are right ( and why Johnsnell told they could be used for low voltage psu) the official rating is 50v/5amp. As they are mic dedicated the rating is for condensator mic +48v dc, ac i've seen 27dbu used (17,5Vrms, 35v pk/pk) and no sign of strain.
To tell you the truth i used the 7 pin version up to 180V ( in tube microphone) but currents are tiny ( 1/3ma max).
I tryed up to 250v iirc and did not see an arc ( ligthning)...
Your comment about mantle: i don't know this word and i'm lazy today 😉 .
To tell you the truth i used the 7 pin version up to 180V ( in tube microphone) but currents are tiny ( 1/3ma max).
I tryed up to 250v iirc and did not see an arc ( ligthning)...
Your comment about mantle: i don't know this word and i'm lazy today 😉 .
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My dj mixing desk use a 4 pin version too ( but custom, one of the pin is offseted) without issue. But it is +/-15v/1A not 245v.
I've fighted lazyness and got it. Thank you JoeAlders i learned a new word today!
I've fighted lazyness and got it. Thank you JoeAlders i learned a new word today!
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🙂 Was just preparing a photo about what is a cable mantle. Specificly a braided one. But O.K.
But how about heat shrink tubing every pin? That will certainly increase the voltage rating between pins, I think.....
Yes it makes the connection 'safer' and might increase the rating a bit. But don't bother with heatshrink tube, there is some 'insulation tube' ( non shrinkable) which is more than ok to protect the soldering tabs. You can slide them and rework soldering in case you've got a cold joint. Heatshrink is a PITA if rework is needed. Once encapsulated in body the insulation tubing will stay in place.
How many milliamp do you send thru the 245v and 145v lines?
How many milliamp do you send thru the 245v and 145v lines?
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Neutrik makes colored bushings (BXX) and colored coding rings (XCR, XXR, and glow-in-the-dark XXR*NEO). The colored rings are cleverly designed so that no unsoldering of the connector is necessary to add the ring: you simply unscrew the front of the XLR, slip on the ring, and reattach. All of the boots and rings come in 10 colors, so they correspond to the standard electrical color code (e.g., used for resistors and capacitor value marking).
When cabling/wiring studios i used a Dymo ( thermo transfer labeler/printer) and transparent heatshrink tube ( you slip Dymo under heatshrink then heat it). Cheaper than the Neutriks elements and with a bit of practice nice,tidy and last as long as the cable.
But i agree, Neutik offer is great quality and when not a lot of line it is faster and clean looking.
But i agree, Neutik offer is great quality and when not a lot of line it is faster and clean looking.
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Since I stock colors of heat shrink, I like the idea of colored bands of it around the cables behind the connectorw. I also have used krivium's idea, clear heat shrink around a written label or marker.
They also make narrow tape with numbers printed on them. You wrap a length of "2" or 9"9" or whatever around a cable. Or use two pieces to make "29"
Personally, I don't use connectors that can be hooked up wrong.
They also make narrow tape with numbers printed on them. You wrap a length of "2" or 9"9" or whatever around a cable. Or use two pieces to make "29"
Personally, I don't use connectors that can be hooked up wrong.
Both Cinch and Amphenol make multi pin connectors and jacks for use in power connection. Most have licking or screw on rings so they don’t loosen easily. They are not cheap but can be found on the surplus market. They are the real professional way to do it. They have from 2 to like 30 pin units that only plug in in the proper orientation.
Neturik makes PowerCon connectors that are designed to carry AC at line level (US and Euro). Both power in and power out. They have a series that can be disconnected while line is live (a very stressful event due to likely arcing causing erosion of the contacts.
Each person has their own risk tolerance, or course, but personally I could NEVER tolerate using an XLR for AC connection. If one wants to kill yourself or your loved ones, that is your prerogative. But the legal consequences of killing or injuring anyone other than yourself should give great pause. But, as they say, YMMV.
Each person has their own risk tolerance, or course, but personally I could NEVER tolerate using an XLR for AC connection. If one wants to kill yourself or your loved ones, that is your prerogative. But the legal consequences of killing or injuring anyone other than yourself should give great pause. But, as they say, YMMV.