Potentinally Unsafe? A question concerning wires...

[AngelsInFlight]

Hi there guy, I'm sure we all know how much of a hassle it is sorting wires out for out gaming set ups, I've just given mine a quick sorting, and I'm curious of the fire hazards surrouding.

I just need a quick yes or no - is this a safety hazard?



I've heard it's not a good idea to keep wires bundled as I have, I'm just wondering if any of you lot get past the spaghetti junction by doing something similar to this.
Cheers in advance,
Sam

[Nembot]

Nah, looks fine to me fella!

You wanna see the state of my wires, although the thought of burning to death in my sleep doesn`t really bother me.

[AngelsInFlight]

Is it the free cremation the appeals to you?

[Spatial]

I'd be incline to say you'll be fine with that.

Compared to this you've certainly got nothing to worry about:

[Crisp_Rapper]

360, gamecube and a dvd player hooked up to a surround setup.... i keep meaning to re-arrange and tidy the cables but i never get around to doing it.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/432549084_0037d5eb4c_o.jpg

in comparison you've no problem... if i stop posting here suddenly you'll know to sort out your cables.

[EvilBoris]

No matter how much you make them tidy, somehow they always end up tangled.
It is one of the many mysteries of our planet.

[charlesr]

Messy cables are in theory better than tidy cables. For example, don't use those cable tidies that let you zip them all into a tube.

Theory is that the two parallel electromagnetic fields of two cables next to each other can interfere with each other, so it's best for them to cross over at 90°, although just letting them all be really messy is almost as good

This interference can show up as visual or audio interference, or in the case of a reel of electrical extension cable carrying high current applications such as a lawn mower, it manifests as heat and the cables melt or burn (which is why it's advisable to unreel the lot if you are going to be using it for a long period of time with a high powered tool). The latter will never happen on a few bits of AV setup that use pretty minimal ampage.

So, in summary, messy is good. Anyone with a tidy setup with all their cables next to each other hasn't set up their setup right (not that I've ever noticed any of this fabled interference).

[Link83]

I have never heard of bundled cables catching fire
All my cables are neatly bundled (Like the way cables are bundled when you first get them with a twisted cable tie - not in a plastic cable tidy) - should I be concerned about the risk of fire?

[buster_broon]

oh dear - i've cable tied mine up all together

i didnt know about this

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k12/busterbroon/DSC02197.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k12/busterbroon/DSC02198.jpg

[charlesr]

I have never heard of bundled cables catching fire
All my cables are neatly bundled (Like the way cables are bundled when you first get them with a twisted cable tie - not in a plastic cable tidy) - should I be concerned about the risk of fire?

As I said, only if you are running high ampage tools on the end of a rolled up extension reel. So basically, no. Your kit won't catch fire.

I've tried with my flymo to see what would happen and after a few minutes the cable reel (20Meter) got warm, but nowhere near enough to melt anything. lol.

[charlesr]

Seriously buster, don't worry about it. Apart from appearing very anal (which we all know you are and proud), you'll never notice any problem from interference unless you have a whole bunch of mains cables going along in a big line next to your speaker cables.

I only brought it up to show the theory behind why the rumours start.

[Hohum]

Slightly off topic, how many of you guys use decent surge protectors? I know a lot of you have some expensive gear, and I know personally I wouldn't want to risk my investments...

[Link83]

Slightly off topic, how many of you guys use decent surge protectors? I know a lot of you have some expensive gear, and I know personally I wouldn't want to risk my investments...

I use this belkin isolator/surge protector:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002TSU9W/qid=1110373638/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/202-1710165-0062223

abit expensive I know, but worth it in my mind

[Lyris]

Can this be a "post your messy cables" thread please?

[charlesr]

Lovely.