The difference between diameter and cross section in Hi-Fi cables
As we have had the opportunity to reiterate several times in the articles we publish on the blog. Ricable, a cable, especially if Hi-Fi, is composed of so many parts. Conductors, connectors, dielectrics, shielding, contacts, and you name it. The materials and geometries by which the components are connected distinguish each cable from any other, bringing different enhancements, nuances and colors. As long as the Hi-Fi system is revealing enough to bring all this to light. Each character that fills the stage dialogues with the other, interfering and aiming for a result that should be, by all, one: that of balance. In this regard, it may be helpful to shed light on the difference between diameter and cross-section in Hi-Fi cables.
Difference between conductor diameter and conductor cross-section in Hi-Fi cables
All the components of a cable are important, especially if what connects the cable is equipment designed for high fidelity audio and video. Some of them, however, are of really fundamental importance, whether we are talking about a fine cable or the power cord of our washing machine. Let's think about the conductor. This is nothing more than the material that makes the electric current flow inside the cable. So if it is true that every part is important, here we are dealing with one of the central elements.
One of the most common uncertainties our customers have when consulting the technical specifications of a cable Ricable is the difference between a cable's diameter and cross section. Let's start with one aspect: the first value is measured in millimeters, the second in square millimeters. The former therefore constitutes a length, the latter an area. Let us now imagine that we cut any electrical cable and have it in front of us. We will see the conductor (or conductors) and, around it, the insulating material. The conductor, being cylindrical, will form a circle.
Well, the diameter of this circle constitutes, precisely, the diameter of the conductor, while the area of the circle is what is called the cross-section of the conductor. The cross-section is thus the area, expressed in square millimeters, made up of the copper wires passing through the inside of the insulating sheath. This value is particularly important, as it is related to the cable's ability to carry current or signal.
Why is cross section used to measure conductors?
The question, at this point, is why is cross-section used to measure conductors and not diameter? The cross-section, constituting the area of the conductor, indicates the space in which there are copper wires passing through it. There are so many variables at this point: diameter of the strands, material of the strands, purity level of the copper, and still so much more. But in general we can say that a cable that has a large cross section will also be able to carry more current.
The question that might arise at this point is: why are strands referred to by diameter instead? The bad news is that the answer is not simple; the good news is that we already gave it to you a few articles ago-our most loyal customers will remember it. We are referring to the skin effect, which we talked about in the article with which we inaugurated this blog. Those who want to go into it in more detail can do so by clicking on the article just linked. But to make a long story short, the argument is that the sound signal does not just pass inside strand. On the contrary, as a low-voltage electrical signal, it also and especially passes over the conductive surface of each individual strand. Reason why the diameter assumes primary importance. Also relevant, but in this case at installation, is the outer diameter of the entire cable, to see if we can run the same through conduit and furniture.
How is the diameter of a conductor calculated from the cross section?
In the case where we want to calculate the diameter of a conductor from the cross section (area), a simple geometric formula comes to our aid:
d = A / Π= √ = x2
Suppose we have a cross section of 5 sq. mm. To find the diameter, we will have to divide this value by Pi (3.14). The result is 1.59. The square root of 1.59 is 1.26, which when multiplied by two becomes 2.52. The diameter of a conductor with a cross section of 5 sq. mm is 2.52 mm. On the Web we can find tools that allow us to perform these and other calculations quickly, such as You Can Do!.
The importance of technical specifications in Hi-Fi cables
On every single product page of each cable Ricable you can find a rich table to peruse, full of technical data such as capacitance, strength, outer diameter, geometries and more. It is difficult for a cable manufacturer to provide so much detail to its customers, and the fact that so many appreciate this transparency particularly flatters us. We hope that this article devoted to the difference between diameter and cross-section in Hi-Fi cables has been interesting and may be useful. If you are curious about all the cable numbers Ricable, we refer you to the page dedicated to the complete catalog!
