Earth Bus Wire - Where can I get it?

Rob11966 · 17th September 2007, 02:53 AM

This is a fairly mundane question unfortunately.

I am trying to get hold of solid copper, nickel plated earth bus wire. On my last project, I was lucky enough to find some at work but that source has now dried up.

I have looked at most of the antique on-line tube shops that I know and have checked ebay on several occasions - no luck. Farnell does not seem to supply it. RS appears to stock 14awg tinned, copper wire but it is only available in 30m rolls at a cost of about $190!!

Does anyone out there have a secret supplier?

Thanks in advance,

Rob

SY · 17th September 2007, 03:16 AM

Why nickel plated?

Plain copper works well. I cut up 3 conductor solid wire meant for house mains wiring. It's easily available to 10 gauge and costs very little.

Colt45 · 17th September 2007, 06:26 AM

mouser lists belden 14GA bus wire, $67 / 100', which is still too damn much I'd say... but better than your $190 quote.

http://www.mouser.com/search/refine.aspx?Ntt=566-8012

chrish · 17th September 2007, 06:52 AM

I have had difficulty in finding solid core wire locally too. Can get 1mm solid core at the local hardware store, maybe a bit too thick for heater wire (but I have used it for this) and perhaps a bit thin for ground bus wire. Used to go to the USA a bit with work a while ago and still have a few metres of the wire that Sy described lying around with a 2mm solid copper ground wire. If you are having difficulty sourcing something let me know and I can pop some in the post for you. Where in Sydney are you? I am Mittagong but travel to Bondi fairly regularly.

Cheers

Geek · 17th September 2007, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Colt45
mouser lists belden 14GA bus wire, $67 / 100', which is still too damn much I'd say... but better than your $190 quote.

http://www.mouser.com/search/refine.aspx?Ntt=566-8012

100' roll of house wire is what, $50-60? $30 on a "door crasher"... There's 300' of 14GA copper for one right there

nkg · 17th September 2007, 10:57 AM

Hi Rob11966
I live in Perth WA I have some 3mm copper wire from some high tension cables at work
if your interested I can send soe if you wish.
Nigel

Rob11966 · 17th September 2007, 12:45 PM

Hi Nigel and Chrish,
Thanks for the offers, I was not expecting offers but certainly delighted to consider. Nigel, I think that the 3mm may be a bit thick for my amps (maybe not but that is one thick wire) - if I can get something a bit thinner I might go for that but thanks for your very generous offer. Chrish, if you are not going to use your wire, I would certainly be interested but only if it is not going to be used. I live in Randwick, so not so far away at all. If you think you are going to need it though, hang on to it, I am sure that I can source some copper wire from a power cable - I was fixated with the nickel plated wire but it is now clear to me that plain copper will do just as well. If you are happy to part with it then I am certainly interested, drop me an email if you like.
Thanks,
Rob

chrish · 17th September 2007, 12:59 PM

G'Day Rob. The wire I have was from when I had the crazy idea of wiring up my garage dual voltage with 120/240 volt so I could get cheaper power tools from USA when I was flying there a lot with work. Decided against going that way so have a pile of wire left over. I guess that you will only need about a metre or so, that is not a problem. You don't have email turned on with this forum (I don't think I do either). You can contact me at h e a d m a s t e r ( d o t ) t h e ( a t ) g m a i l ( d o t ) c o m . I am in the middle of a university assignment at the moment and may get called away with work (work has me travelling away a fair bit) so if you are not in a desperate rush I could either post or drop off on my way through to Bondi.

Cheers,

Chris

nkg · 17th September 2007, 02:04 PM

Hi Rob
With thicker the wire the less volt drop you will get and less inductance. It also has the advantage of being mechanically quite strong for hanging components off it.
Nigel

Rob11966 · 18th September 2007, 04:40 AM

Hi Nigel,

I have never really considered such thick wire but you make a good point. Chris has also very kindly offered to send me some wire and he is a lot closer and I don't need that much. Can I contact later if required? In the meantime, I watched that West Coast game - tight game and you guys were unlucky but fantastic game.

Cheers,

Rob

17th September 2007, 02:53 AM	#1
Rob11966 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Australia	Earth Bus Wire - Where can I get it? This is a fairly mundane question unfortunately. I am trying to get hold of solid copper, nickel plated earth bus wire. On my last project, I was lucky enough to find some at work but that source has now dried up. I have looked at most of the antique on-line tube shops that I know and have checked ebay on several occasions - no luck. Farnell does not seem to supply it. RS appears to stock 14awg tinned, copper wire but it is only available in 30m rolls at a cost of about $190!! Does anyone out there have a secret supplier? Thanks in advance, Rob

17th September 2007, 03:16 AM	#2
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	Why nickel plated? Plain copper works well. I cut up 3 conductor solid wire meant for house mains wiring. It's easily available to 10 gauge and costs very little. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

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17th September 2007, 06:26 AM	#3
Colt45 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Canada	mouser lists belden 14GA bus wire, $67 / 100', which is still too damn much I'd say... but better than your $190 quote. http://www.mouser.com/search/refine.aspx?Ntt=566-8012

17th September 2007, 06:52 AM	#4
chrish diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sydney	I have had difficulty in finding solid core wire locally too. Can get 1mm solid core at the local hardware store, maybe a bit too thick for heater wire (but I have used it for this) and perhaps a bit thin for ground bus wire. Used to go to the USA a bit with work a while ago and still have a few metres of the wire that Sy described lying around with a 2mm solid copper ground wire. If you are having difficulty sourcing something let me know and I can pop some in the post for you. Where in Sydney are you? I am Mittagong but travel to Bondi fairly regularly. Cheers

17th September 2007, 10:57 AM	#6
nkg diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: perth	Hi Rob11966 I live in Perth WA I have some 3mm copper wire from some high tension cables at work if your interested I can send soe if you wish. Nigel

17th September 2007, 12:45 PM	#7
Rob11966 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Australia	Hi Nigel and Chrish, Thanks for the offers, I was not expecting offers but certainly delighted to consider. Nigel, I think that the 3mm may be a bit thick for my amps (maybe not but that is one thick wire) - if I can get something a bit thinner I might go for that but thanks for your very generous offer. Chrish, if you are not going to use your wire, I would certainly be interested but only if it is not going to be used. I live in Randwick, so not so far away at all. If you think you are going to need it though, hang on to it, I am sure that I can source some copper wire from a power cable - I was fixated with the nickel plated wire but it is now clear to me that plain copper will do just as well. If you are happy to part with it then I am certainly interested, drop me an email if you like. Thanks, Rob

17th September 2007, 12:59 PM	#8
chrish diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sydney	G'Day Rob. The wire I have was from when I had the crazy idea of wiring up my garage dual voltage with 120/240 volt so I could get cheaper power tools from USA when I was flying there a lot with work. Decided against going that way so have a pile of wire left over. I guess that you will only need about a metre or so, that is not a problem. You don't have email turned on with this forum (I don't think I do either). You can contact me at h e a d m a s t e r ( d o t ) t h e ( a t ) g m a i l ( d o t ) c o m . I am in the middle of a university assignment at the moment and may get called away with work (work has me travelling away a fair bit) so if you are not in a desperate rush I could either post or drop off on my way through to Bondi. Cheers, Chris

17th September 2007, 02:04 PM	#9
nkg diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: perth	Hi Rob With thicker the wire the less volt drop you will get and less inductance. It also has the advantage of being mechanically quite strong for hanging components off it. Nigel

18th September 2007, 04:40 AM	#10
Rob11966 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Australia	Hi Nigel, I have never really considered such thick wire but you make a good point. Chris has also very kindly offered to send me some wire and he is a lot closer and I don't need that much. Can I contact later if required? In the meantime, I watched that West Coast game - tight game and you guys were unlucky but fantastic game. Cheers, Rob

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