Ferrites

Posted by: jamesw on 30 November 2012

Hi All,

 

I seem to recall some discussion of ferrites, but can't recall whether they were being advocated on Ethernet cables in streaming applications, or SPDIF cables?

 

Are the applications for these different, requiring different ferrite designs/specs?

 

Cheers,

 

James

Posted on: 30 November 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk

James, yep they can make a subtle but worthwhile difference, especially if you have revealing amp/speakers. On SPDIF it helps reduce ground RF currents,and on Cat5e and unshielded Cat 6 it reduces common mode RF currents. If the the Cat6 is shielded then again it will reduce RF ground currents on the shield.

I particularly dislike what RF intermod does to audio circuits but others might not notice it...

Luckily chokes are cheap so easy to experiment

 

Simon

Posted on: 30 November 2012 by jamesw
Simon, thanks- any particular sources or specs for these, I've never looked at them before. I have both cat5e and Meridian Speakerlink (which is a proprietary, flat, cat6, I believe) cables for my ethernet, and some Belkin RG6, suitably terminated, for my SPDIF...

Edit: is there a particular position on the cable, btw, e.g., source or destination end?

Cheers,

James
Posted on: 30 November 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk

James, I would look on eBay. I get mine from radio engineering components retailers, but they are readily available from people like Maplins as well

Simon

Posted on: 30 November 2012 by jamesw
Thanks Simon- will pop to my local Maplins in the first instance, I think.

Is there a particular position on the cable? E.g., source or destination end, etc.?

Cheers,

James
Posted on: 30 November 2012 by mikapoh

I have about 10 ferrites clamps on mostly household electrical or motor driven electronics such as washing machines, aircon compressors etc. I have a few on computers main leads too. This is to prevent or mitigate the unwanted dirty noise feedback into the main grid of the house.

 

It is recommended to clamp it at cable end closer to the electronics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 30 November 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Hi, as said a t the end of the cables, ie at both ends. Mains lead chokes need simply be at the end nearest the appliance.

Simon