[SOLVED] How does using a shorter/shortened pc power cable affect the pc

chiliem

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Feb 21, 2012
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Cable-wise, it's quite a mess behind my monitor. I'd like to have it as orderly as possible back there.

My first idea was to use rubber bands or velcro cable binder to keep the stretches of cable on my desk to a minimum. But then I vaguely remembered from my physics classes that it's best not to wrap actively used electrical cables because when conducting a current they create stronger magnetic fields, affecting other electric/electronic wires around it.

So my second thought was to shorten the cables themselves. I know that cable length is part of the formula for calculating electrical resistance, but to what extent? Could it be harmfull for my PSU?
 
Solution
Use zipties and flush cutter to manage the ties, to manage the cables. So long as you don't coil or wind up high amperage wires, you're good. They still have a magnetic field around each power cable or any cable that has power run through them.

If you're managing audio cables, I'd advise on having them running in another direction or as far away as possible from the power wires to avoid static/white noise.

The shorter the wire, the less the resistance and the less distance power has to travel. Resistivity will depend on the wire you're using, meaning if you cheap out, you're the same as using a long length of wire but of higher quality. Resistivity will also bring up heat into the equation.
Use zipties and flush cutter to manage the ties, to manage the cables. So long as you don't coil or wind up high amperage wires, you're good. They still have a magnetic field around each power cable or any cable that has power run through them.

If you're managing audio cables, I'd advise on having them running in another direction or as far away as possible from the power wires to avoid static/white noise.

The shorter the wire, the less the resistance and the less distance power has to travel. Resistivity will depend on the wire you're using, meaning if you cheap out, you're the same as using a long length of wire but of higher quality. Resistivity will also bring up heat into the equation.
 
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