[Amps] HV wires, back-to-back diodes, and B- wiring

[Bill, W6WRT]

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

On Sat, 11 Sep 2010 08:52:41 -0600, "Jim  Garland"
<4cx250b at muohio.edu> wrote:

> The key point is
>always to use shielded cable for HV interconnects, for safety reasons. 

REPLY:

I disagree. The braid itself can present a safety hazard under some
conditions, especially if the braid loses it's connection at one end
and someone tries to hot plug the other end. 

HV connectors using a heavily insulated, non-shielded wire and which
have deeply recessed connections are much safer, IMO. 

The safest design uses a deeply recessed panel mount connector on the
PS and a "flying lead" from the amp, i.e. a wire which is hard-wired
into the amp without a connector at the amp end. As long as there is a
good solid ground wire from the amp chassis to the PS chassis, that
arrangement is as close to  fool-proof as you can get. Someone can hot
plug it all day long with no danger. 

I also recommend the ground wire be installed with a nut and bolt or
screw on both ends, NOT an easily unplugged connector. 

Bill, W6WRT