2. cables
  3. 1364073070

Cable Current Flow Direction

Regarding cables that do not have an arrow indicating the current flow from the source to the next component in the chain:

I consider the labelled or banded end of an interconnect cable to be the source end. Is this the generally accepted norm? Some cables are just plain. But when you purchase cables with a band or label at one end, often this means something, but they rarely tell you what. Somewhere along the way I think someone told me that this is the source end. Thank you!
poetcatullus

Showing 3 responses by tls49

tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
If the cable contains multiple conductors (signal & ground) and a shield, the shield is connected to ground on the sending end only. On the receiving end, shield remains open with no connection. Arrows will point in the direction of signal flow toward the receiving component.

With coax type cable, I have no idea why there would be any directionally,
other than “audio fashion.” Company ABC adds arrows to their cables
because Company XYZ has them.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
Arrows will point in the direction of signal flow toward the receiving component.

My understanding is that any noise picked up by the shield will not pass with the audio signal downstream to the next component.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
B_limo, I worked in the audio industry for 20 years, and this is what I learned from manufacturers and several technicians. The explanations were always the same. In doing a little research, I did discover another reason that I had forgotten. This is in the second link below.

Read through the “Design Basics” paragraph on this one.

http://www.audioquest.com/pdfs/analog_interconnects/diamondback.pdf

Scroll down to the “Directionally” section.

http://www2.audioquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DoNoHarm-whitepaper-1222-11-r11.pdf

As far as the experience you had, I think you nailed it, “go figure.”
More to discover