How to make sure that I get good quality wires and connectors? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: eeguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 12:24:08 am
content: Hi, I need to make some cables. With so many wires and connectors being sold on the internet, how do I know which wires and connectors are of good quality to purchase?

author: WattsThat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 12:31:24 am
content: “Cables” and “Connectors” covers a lot of territory. Could you be more specific?DC? Audio? RF?Name brands is usually where we start. Cables: Alpha, Belden, Lap Cable, yada, yada, etc.Connectors? That’s too broad to even start a list...Looking up cables and connectors on DigiKey and Mouser is a good beginning.

author: QuebecTech
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 01:01:37 am
content: Copper core is a good start. Make sure you look up a wire gauge chart so you don't try to pass too much current in whatever you're using to pass the signal.I like using old network cable, it's quite robust, readily available and cheap. If you wish to be purely rethorical, yes there is a lot of crap out there. The good stuff is out there but you usually have to pay premium for it.

author: eeguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 01:23:34 am
content: Cables for electronics circuits and those 14-16AWG ones from power supply to electronics circuits.Is it difficult to guarantee quality if buying from Amazon?

author: cliffyk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 02:04:11 am
content: Also, always keep in mind that if you buy the "cheapest there is" there is a very good chance you will get "the cheapest there is"--this is not always true, however it is true more often than not...

author: dcbrown73
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 02:06:20 am
content: For smaller gauge wires (#18-#24) and general tooling around with electronics. I have multi-colored solid core and stranded wire kits from Amazon in different colors. They work fine.When I'm building stuff for my ham radio stuff and using 14 guage wire. I tend to buy high quality wire from a respected wire reseller. (McMasters, PowerWerx, DX Engineering., etc)

author: Vovk_Z
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 04:31:34 am
content: You have to know exact type of cable or connector to have a posibility to make a decision if it is good. If it is just a 'connector from Amason' - it can be similar to 'connector from Aliexpress' type.That's why it is good to buy at specialized shops which show you the exact type of part you buy.

author: tkamiya
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2020, 04:38:48 am
content: It's difficult.When I really need good connectors, I use known brand name like Amphenol for connectors. My coax will come from Belden, Times-Microwave, etc, etc, etc.I either buy from eBay (new old stock only) or DigiKey.All connectors I bought from Amazon were Chinese knockoffs. Especially BNC gave me lots of problems, being out of tolerance and loose. Also wires.... AWG, gauge, thickness - whatever were very misleading. Again, I typically buy spools from well known resellers. There are awful stuff out there.

author: eblc1388
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2020, 01:19:38 am
content: Use a magnet.Throw out all those wires that are magnetic, 4mm banana plug too.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2020, 01:25:52 am
content: You know the saying... "when you need it done right..."https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/napoleon_bonaparte_108864

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 13, 2020, 01:45:57 am
content: Measure wire resistance. At certain cross section you should have certain resistance. If it's much higher than should be according to calculation, then either manufacturer cheated with cross section or used crappy alloy.