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Hi,

Right, I think I had enough of this blatant and plainly obvious attempt by several posters to blackball the integrity and technical competence of someone who holds opposing views.

You can consider this as a basic statement on the matter, I'll leave it at that.

First, strictly speaking anything to do with mains electricity is potentially dangerous. And strictly speaking fitting yourself a plug (purchased at B&Q over the counter with no qualifications demanded) to a cable (purchased over the same counter as the plug at the same time) and then not having your work certified by a quaified electrician who will likely charge £ 35+ per hour and will only charge you the first hour to do the test is unsafe.

Second, the article in which I recommend a certain approach to making "audio grade" mains cables clearly states the risks and suggests what needs to be done as follows (I wrote that bit as well):

"Safety Note on Mains-cables and other mains connected Tweaks:

If you are not comfortable working with Mains-Voltages - LEAVE IT ALONE!!!

Remember to have the Cables and Units TESTED BY A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN for electrical Safety.

Make double and triple sure that there are no Damages to the Insulation or anything of that type. Observe the Safety-Regulations and Grounding as applicable IN YOUR COUNTRY.

If you make and use such a mains-cables or Filters it entirely YOUR responsibility to ensure the Electrical and Fire Safety."

It also contains the usual legal disclaimers, but only AFTER the above notes. These notes are much more comprehensive than what you get at B&Q when buying your plug & cable.

Third, the cable design(s) I published are based on cable with a generic specifications that are not officially rated for mains service, that is also clearly stated.

HOWEVER, outside formal approval for mains service, in terms of rated voltage for the various insulations, conductor crossection etc. the cables are able to meet and in many areas exceed to a considerable degree the basic minimum requirements for mains service.

I happen to know that for a certainty, because I selected the cables recommended (CT-125 and RG213 and RG214) explicitly because of their ability to meet or exceed these specifications at the time of writing (actually originally 96 on RAHE).

Fourth, all the Cables I make for my own use are tested using a "PAT" tester that includes insulation resistance and earth loop resistance (the same I suggest as mandatory in the safety notes) and happen to pass this test, which again aims to establish that the tested cable meets the minimum specifications to be safe.

Note that passing this test per se in not a legal approval or anything of the like, it merely confirms that the cable conforms to certain minimum specifications in the most critical areas for safety. In order to be considered legally safe it not only has to pass the apropriate test (PAT in the UK), but it requires the additional formal type approval by the various relevant bodies (in the UK the approval is under British Standard).

So, I'll repeat that despite missing any formal approval for mains service under british standard there is no specific area in which the cables are technically incapable of meeting the standard, they merely have never been formally certified to do so.

Considering the above I take exception to being accused of acting irresponsible or of endagering the lifes of others.

And I equally take reasonable exceptions to claims that the UBYTE-M cable is actually in technical terms unsafe (technical meaning the ability to handle the voltages involved, providing sufficient insulation and providing sufficient conductor thickness to allow the current flowing to be handeled as well to include stranded conductors for the Earth/PEN connection) to any material degree, as opposed to LEGAL requirements to proof of electrical safety for the sale of articles under the various directives and standards.

Fifth, disregardless of any such notes each individual cable should (just like all other mains powered portable appliances and mains cables in your home) be tested regulary for a pass under the PAT test and the use remains at the users discretion and risk, just as the option to regulary test your appliances or not (or installation of smoke alarms or not and many other issues, such as the discretion to cross a road despite a red traffic light).

So, keep banging on all you like, but make sure you have your facts right.

Majorly peeved off, l8er T

<blockquote data-quote="3DSonics" data-source="post: 627185" data-attributes="member: 1907">Hi,Right, I think I had enough of this blatant and plainly obvious attempt by several posters to blackball the integrity and technical competence of someone who holds opposing views.You can consider this as a basic statement on the matter, I'll leave it at that.First, strictly speaking anything to do with mains electricity is potentially dangerous. And strictly speaking fitting yourself a plug (purchased at B&amp;Q over the counter with no qualifications demanded) to a cable (purchased over the same counter as the plug at the same time) and then not having your work certified by a quaified electrician who will likely charge £ 35+ per hour and will only charge you the first hour to do the test is unsafe. Second, the article in which I recommend a certain approach to making &quot;audio grade&quot; mains cables clearly states the risks and suggests what needs to be done as follows (I wrote that bit as well):&quot;Safety Note on Mains-cables and other mains connected Tweaks: If you are not comfortable working with Mains-Voltages - LEAVE IT ALONE!!! Remember to have the Cables and Units TESTED BY A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN for electrical Safety. Make double and triple sure that there are no Damages to the Insulation or anything of that type. Observe the Safety-Regulations and Grounding as applicable IN YOUR COUNTRY. If you make and use such a mains-cables or Filters it entirely YOUR responsibility to ensure the Electrical and Fire Safety.&quot;It also contains the usual legal disclaimers, but only AFTER the above notes. These notes are much more comprehensive than what you get at B&amp;Q when buying your plug &amp; cable.Third, the cable design(s) I published are based on cable with a generic specifications that are not officially rated for mains service, that is also clearly stated. HOWEVER, outside formal approval for mains service, in terms of rated voltage for the various insulations, conductor crossection etc. the cables are able to meet and in many areas exceed to a considerable degree the basic minimum requirements for mains service. I happen to know that for a certainty, because I selected the cables recommended (CT-125 and RG213 and RG214) explicitly because of their ability to meet or exceed these specifications at the time of writing (actually originally 96 on RAHE). Fourth, all the Cables I make for my own use are tested using a &quot;PAT&quot; tester that includes insulation resistance and earth loop resistance (the same I suggest as mandatory in the safety notes) and happen to pass this test, which again aims to establish that the tested cable meets the minimum specifications to be safe.Note that passing this test per se in not a legal approval or anything of the like, it merely confirms that the cable conforms to certain minimum specifications in the most critical areas for safety. In order to be considered legally safe it not only has to pass the apropriate test (PAT in the UK), but it requires the additional formal type approval by the various relevant bodies (in the UK the approval is under British Standard).So, I'll repeat that despite missing any formal approval for mains service under british standard there is no specific area in which the cables are technically incapable of meeting the standard, they merely have never been formally certified to do so.Considering the above I take exception to being accused of acting irresponsible or of endagering the lifes of others.And I equally take reasonable exceptions to claims that the UBYTE-M cable is actually in technical terms unsafe (technical meaning the ability to handle the voltages involved, providing sufficient insulation and providing sufficient conductor thickness to allow the current flowing to be handeled as well to include stranded conductors for the Earth/PEN connection) to any material degree, as opposed to LEGAL requirements to proof of electrical safety for the sale of articles under the various directives and standards.Fifth, disregardless of any such notes each individual cable should (just like all other mains powered portable appliances and mains cables in your home) be tested regulary for a pass under the PAT test and the use remains at the users discretion and risk, just as the option to regulary test your appliances or not (or installation of smoke alarms or not and many other issues, such as the discretion to cross a road despite a red traffic light).So, keep banging on all you like, but make sure you have your facts right.Majorly peeved off, l8er T</blockquote>

[QUOTE="3DSonics, post: 627185, member: 1907"] Hi, Right, I think I had enough of this blatant and plainly obvious attempt by several posters to blackball the integrity and technical competence of someone who holds opposing views. You can consider this as a basic statement on the matter, I'll leave it at that. First, strictly speaking anything to do with mains electricity is potentially dangerous. And strictly speaking fitting yourself a plug (purchased at B&Q over the counter with no qualifications demanded) to a cable (purchased over the same counter as the plug at the same time) and then not having your work certified by a quaified electrician who will likely charge £ 35+ per hour and will only charge you the first hour to do the test is unsafe. Second, the article in which I recommend a certain approach to making "audio grade" mains cables clearly states the risks and suggests what needs to be done as follows (I wrote that bit as well): [COLOR=Red]"Safety Note on Mains-cables and other mains connected Tweaks: If you are not comfortable working with Mains-Voltages - LEAVE IT ALONE!!! Remember to have the Cables and Units TESTED BY A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN for electrical Safety. Make double and triple sure that there are no Damages to the Insulation or anything of that type. Observe the Safety-Regulations and Grounding as applicable IN YOUR COUNTRY. If you make and use such a mains-cables or Filters it entirely YOUR responsibility to ensure the Electrical and Fire Safety."[/COLOR] It also contains the usual legal disclaimers, but only AFTER the above notes. These notes are much more comprehensive than what you get at B&Q when buying your plug & cable. Third, the cable design(s) I published are based on cable with a generic specifications that are not officially rated for mains service, that is also clearly stated. HOWEVER, outside formal approval for mains service, in terms of rated voltage for the various insulations, conductor crossection etc. the cables are able to meet and in many areas exceed to a considerable degree the basic minimum requirements for mains service. I happen to know that for a certainty, because I selected the cables recommended (CT-125 and RG213 and RG214) explicitly because of their ability to meet or exceed these specifications at the time of writing (actually originally 96 on RAHE). Fourth, all the Cables I make for my own use are tested using a "PAT" tester that includes insulation resistance and earth loop resistance (the same I suggest as mandatory in the safety notes) and happen to pass this test, which again aims to establish that the tested cable meets the minimum specifications to be safe. Note that passing this test per se in not a legal approval or anything of the like, it merely confirms that the cable conforms to certain minimum specifications in the most critical areas for safety. In order to be considered legally safe it not only has to pass the apropriate test (PAT in the UK), but it requires the additional formal type approval by the various relevant bodies (in the UK the approval is under British Standard). So, I'll repeat that despite missing any formal approval for mains service under british standard there is no specific area in which the cables are technically incapable of meeting the standard, they merely have never been formally certified to do so. Considering the above I take exception to being accused of acting irresponsible or of endagering the lifes of others. And I equally take reasonable exceptions to claims that the UBYTE-M cable is actually in technical terms unsafe (technical meaning the ability to handle the voltages involved, providing sufficient insulation and providing sufficient conductor thickness to allow the current flowing to be handeled as well to include stranded conductors for the Earth/PEN connection) to any material degree, as opposed to LEGAL requirements to proof of electrical safety for the sale of articles under the various directives and standards. Fifth, disregardless of any such notes each individual cable should (just like all other mains powered portable appliances and mains cables in your home) be tested regulary for a pass under the PAT test and the use remains at the users discretion and risk, just as the option to regulary test your appliances or not (or installation of smoke alarms or not and many other issues, such as the discretion to cross a road despite a red traffic light). So, keep banging on all you like, but make sure you have your facts right. Majorly peeved off, l8er T [/QUOTE]

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