Comments on: build sturdy speaker or interconnect cable dirt cheap http://desk.stinkpot.org:8080/tricks/index.php/2006/07/build-sturdy-speaker-or-interconnect-cable-dirt-cheap/ tricks! Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:46:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Dave Lester http://desk.stinkpot.org:8080/tricks/index.php/2006/07/build-sturdy-speaker-or-interconnect-cable-dirt-cheap/comment-page-1/#comment-11666 Dave Lester Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:55:27 +0000 http://stinkpot.afraid.org:8080/tricks/?p=72#comment-11666 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_over_Ethernet Standard Power Over Ethernet protocol allows about 15 watts, so I'd say you could get double that before the wires start heating up. You could easily parallel the twisted pairs for more current capability. What I'd be more concerned about is simply noise - Ethernet is not stranded cable, and its setup is designed to reduce "crosstalk" in the MHz range of digital data. Stranded cable with more shielding is designed for analog, lower frequency signals. Though, beggars can't be choosers at this point right? =P http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_over_Ethernet

Standard Power Over Ethernet protocol allows about 15 watts, so I’d say you could get double that before the wires start heating up. You could easily parallel the twisted pairs for more current capability.

What I’d be more concerned about is simply noise – Ethernet is not stranded cable, and its setup is designed to reduce “crosstalk” in the MHz range of digital data. Stranded cable with more shielding is designed for analog, lower frequency signals. Though, beggars can’t be choosers at this point right? =P

]]> By: Lawrence David http://desk.stinkpot.org:8080/tricks/index.php/2006/07/build-sturdy-speaker-or-interconnect-cable-dirt-cheap/comment-page-1/#comment-9185 Lawrence David Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:00:25 +0000 http://stinkpot.afraid.org:8080/tricks/?p=72#comment-9185 thanks for your insights chuck -- ethernet cable probably wasn't designed for handling high amperage loads :) thanks for your insights chuck — ethernet cable probably wasn’t designed for handling high amperage loads :)

]]> By: Chuck Malloch http://desk.stinkpot.org:8080/tricks/index.php/2006/07/build-sturdy-speaker-or-interconnect-cable-dirt-cheap/comment-page-1/#comment-9182 Chuck Malloch Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:17:47 +0000 http://stinkpot.afraid.org:8080/tricks/?p=72#comment-9182 2 comments: 1) Ethernet cable consists of 4 twisted pairs. Each pair, as you have noted, is intended to represent one circuit path. So I would be careful to separate a pair and use one of the wires for signal and the other for ground; if doubling up as you suggest, still split the pairs and not use one pair for signal and one for ground. The reason is that the "twisted" in twisted pair essentially reduces the interaction with outside signals (interference, crosstalk, and antenna effect) 2) I agree with this use for *low power* transmission, such as pre-amp outputs and so forth. But not for speaker cable use - an 80-watt amplifier will be putting 2-3 amps through an 8-ohm speaker, and I'm sure that's too much for ethernet cable to carry. 2 comments:
1) Ethernet cable consists of 4 twisted pairs. Each pair, as you have noted, is intended to represent one circuit path. So I would be careful to separate a pair and use one of the wires for signal and the other for ground; if doubling up as you suggest, still split the pairs and not use one pair for signal and one for ground. The reason is that the “twisted” in twisted pair essentially reduces the interaction with outside signals (interference, crosstalk, and antenna effect)
2) I agree with this use for *low power* transmission, such as pre-amp outputs and so forth. But not for speaker cable use – an 80-watt amplifier will be putting 2-3 amps through an 8-ohm speaker, and I’m sure that’s too much for ethernet cable to carry.

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