Valve amplifier hook-up wire selection

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marantz123

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Fellows....experienced valve amp builders and restorers...

This seems to be quite a controversial topic elsewhere, with mixed references to insulation breakdown and current-carrying capacity, UL ratings and AWG sizes. Wire of 22AWG at 300V insulation resistance seems to be used everywhere in a valve amp by many without a second thought where voltages are higher than this rating, (eg. 435v) where 600V rating "should" be used (see how its starts getting a bit messy), however UL1007 at 300V rating can apparently withstand up to 3000V for one minute, at 80 DegC, whereas 600V UL1007 is rated at 105 DegC (Chinese data sheets !) Does a valve amp need 105DegC rated wire (we know it runs hot)? Solid core, or stranded core ? Tinned or un-tinned ? Heater-supply lines...is 22AWG fine for use..up to what current draw ?

:popcorn:

 

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