Heater wiring idea?

Rundmaus · 21st February 2012, 02:12 PM

Hey there,

looking around in the lab I had another idea concerning heater wiring - probably someone has already tried, but I didn't find anything in the forum:

MJ says in his books that heater wiring should be twisted as close as possible ie. as close as the insulation allows.

What about using magnet wire / enamelled copper wire with sufficient cross section for heater wiring? Due to the very thin insulation layer, it should be possible to get a very thight twist with that.

What do you think?

Best regards,
Andreas

lechuck · 21st February 2012, 03:03 PM

Hi Andreas,

I have never tried that type of wire for heaters, but heck its DIYaudio so give it a try ;-)

Personally I am using regular solid core UTP wire for most heaters (2A AC seems to be no problem for this wire). I twist my wire by using a drill, the wire gets twisted evenly and is very tight.

Regards,
Anthonie

jrenkin · 21st February 2012, 03:06 PM

I would worry that the enamel would fracture when twisted really tight.

Alexontherocks · 21st February 2012, 03:46 PM

@jrenkin agreed! also if a drill is used then the issue of stretched coating can arise..I would not use enameled wire but do try it out

M Gregg · 21st February 2012, 03:54 PM

Just my thoughts,

Not a good idea..The current is an issue and heat at the termination. Also do you have fuses in the heater circuit because its a sure way to stuff the power Tx with a short..It tends to happen very fast with a poof of smoke and the TX is stuffed.. The insulation is not meant for this kind of application.

Regards
M. Gregg

M Gregg · 04:33 PM

If you want to improve heavy or signal heater connections,

Use silver plated PTFE single core, It has a smaller cross section for the same current and can be twisted quite close..You have to use common sense with the compression with a drill. However its far better for both power and pre tubes.

Also the insulation is better with heat than PVC.

I guess I should add you can use Example (Three strands of red and three of white and twist togeather make the three red off as one cable and the three white as the other) You have a high current "flexible" heat resistant high current cable.
Small flex is also good (silver plated PTFE)..It dosen't stay in place quite as well..

Regards
M. Gregg

GlowSignal · 21st February 2012, 04:34 PM

I wouldn't worry about this too much. Almost any wire that can pass the power and be twisted is ok. Run it near the chasis corners, stay away from grid wires and keep it tightly twisted up to sockets.
Proper layout is way more important and DC for heaters might help. But for simple diy preamps and amps AC heaters are enough.

DF96 · 21st February 2012, 05:27 PM

Uniformity of twisting is probably as important as tightness, and layout as others have said. It would be poor engineering to concentrate too much effort on just one parameter, especially as that carries risks of shorting.

Rundmaus · 21st February 2012, 07:14 PM

Meh...

Thought it would be a great idea - but no one likes it *sniff*

Guess I'll use plain insulated wire as everyone else then...

Best regards,
Andreas

M Gregg · 21st February 2012, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rundmaus

Meh...

Thought it would be a great idea - but no one likes it *sniff*

Guess I'll use plain insulated wire as everyone else then...

Best regards,
Andreas

LOL,

Well it was a good try..

Regards
M. Gregg

21st February 2012, 02:12 PM	#1
Rundmaus diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005	Heater wiring idea? Hey there, looking around in the lab I had another idea concerning heater wiring - probably someone has already tried, but I didn't find anything in the forum: MJ says in his books that heater wiring should be twisted as close as possible ie. as close as the insulation allows. What about using magnet wire / enamelled copper wire with sufficient cross section for heater wiring? Due to the very thin insulation layer, it should be possible to get a very thight twist with that. What do you think? Best regards, Andreas

21st February 2012, 03:54 PM	#5
M Gregg diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: UK	Just my thoughts, Not a good idea..The current is an issue and heat at the termination. Also do you have fuses in the heater circuit because its a sure way to stuff the power Tx with a short..It tends to happen very fast with a poof of smoke and the TX is stuffed.. The insulation is not meant for this kind of application. Regards M. Gregg __________________ What is the sound of one hand clapping?

21st February 2012, 04:22 PM	#6
M Gregg diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: UK	If you want to improve heavy or signal heater connections, Use silver plated PTFE single core, It has a smaller cross section for the same current and can be twisted quite close..You have to use common sense with the compression with a drill. However its far better for both power and pre tubes. Also the insulation is better with heat than PVC. I guess I should add you can use Example (Three strands of red and three of white and twist togeather make the three red off as one cable and the three white as the other) You have a high current "flexible" heat resistant high current cable. Small flex is also good (silver plated PTFE)..It dosen't stay in place quite as well.. Regards M. Gregg __________________ What is the sound of one hand clapping? Last edited by M Gregg; 21st February 2012 at 04:33 PM.

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21st February 2012, 03:03 PM	#2
lechuck diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Amsterdam	Hi Andreas, I have never tried that type of wire for heaters, but heck its DIYaudio so give it a try ;-) Personally I am using regular solid core UTP wire for most heaters (2A AC seems to be no problem for this wire). I twist my wire by using a drill, the wire gets twisted evenly and is very tight. Regards, Anthonie

21st February 2012, 03:06 PM	#3
jrenkin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Denver, Colorado	I would worry that the enamel would fracture when twisted really tight.

21st February 2012, 03:46 PM	#4
Alexontherocks Account disabled at member's request Join Date: Jul 2009	@jrenkin agreed! also if a drill is used then the issue of stretched coating can arise..I would not use enameled wire but do try it out

21st February 2012, 04:34 PM	#7
GlowSignal diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Europe	I wouldn't worry about this too much. Almost any wire that can pass the power and be twisted is ok. Run it near the chasis corners, stay away from grid wires and keep it tightly twisted up to sockets. Proper layout is way more important and DC for heaters might help. But for simple diy preamps and amps AC heaters are enough.

21st February 2012, 05:27 PM	#8
DF96 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007	Uniformity of twisting is probably as important as tightness, and layout as others have said. It would be poor engineering to concentrate too much effort on just one parameter, especially as that carries risks of shorting.

21st February 2012, 07:14 PM	#9
Rundmaus diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005	Meh... Thought it would be a great idea - but no one likes it sniff Guess I'll use plain insulated wire as everyone else then... Best regards, Andreas

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