[corndog71]

Nice braiding - do you have a link for step by step instructions on the braiding technique?
Thanks

I didn't braid it, Kimber Kable did.

I used their 8VS speaker wire with their 4VS speaker wire running down the middle.  The 4VS down the middle apparently was total overkill and I could've used regular hardware store 10AWG wire for the ground.  I still think mine is cooler.   

Their 4 and 8TC cables have an even better voltage rating.  Not sure about the 4PR/8PR cables.  I would check with Kimber before using them. 

If you don't need the ground wire then just using the speaker cable for Hot and Neutral should work well.  It might be a good idea to cover the cable with some Tech Flex or other sleeving to protect it from getting knicked.  Just don't shield it as that defeats the purpose of the open braid.

[Quiet Earth]

Just out of curiosity, are these cotton insulated wires?



If they are, are they safe for AC power applications? The reason I ask is because I have noticed some entrepreneurs are resurrecting the old school cotton insulated wires of days gone by and constructing AC power cables with them. I'm sure they sound wonderful indeed, but I wonder about the safety of such an application. I would like to learn more about it. Is this a non safety issue?

Actually, come to think of it, I don't see very many of the aftermarket power cord companies sporting the U.L. listing at all. None that I can think of off the top of my head anyway.

[DaveC113]

Just out of curiosity, are these cotton insulated wires?

If they are, are they safe for AC power applications? The reason I ask is because I have noticed some entrepreneurs are resurrecting the old school cotton insulated wires of days gone by and constructing AC power cables with them. I'm sure they sound wonderful indeed, but I wonder about the safety of such an application. I would like to learn more about it. Is this a non safety issue?

Actually, come to think of it, I don't see very many of the aftermarket power cord companies sporting the U.L. listing at all. None that I can think of off the top of my head anyway.

Good point, these are made from old stock Western Electric cloth covered wire, but they do have a layer of conventional insulation between the wire and the cloth... the cloth seems to be woven into or glued onto the inside layer of insulation. I won a couple auctions on ebay, so I figured I'd try it. They will eventually get an outer jacket, but I'm not done messing with them yet, I'm going to reconfigure them as 2 hot and 2 neutral wires and run the safety ground in a spiral around the bundle of other wires...

I agree that a cotton insulated wire used in high voltage application could be dangerous. What if it got wet? Might not be a big deal used as internal hook up wire, but someone could touch a damp or moist power cord and kill themselves assuming it didn't short and flip the breaker.