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twisted pair

DCarr2

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So I have always wondered.... twisted pair works with data cables, but how about electrical? I have never tried it because well my old house - lets not go there.

I need to run a dedicated line or 3 to my 'main office' is there any benefit to twisted pair?
 
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ddawg16

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YES! Assuming you are talking about phone lines.

Let me explain why twisted pair is good for data.

When current travels down a wire, it generates a magnetic field. If that wire is parallel to another wire, then current can be induced onto that other wire. Case in point, you hear people talking about 'ghost voltages' on house wiring that is not hooked up. Those wires are having voltage induced on them from parallel runs of active wires.

A twisted pair wire is much less susceptible to induced voltage because the wires cross each other at/or about 90 degrees. In other words, if a phone line is running parallel to an AC line, it will have voltage induced on it. But, if that phone line is twisted wire, the 90 deg twist cancel outs the induced voltage.

With all that said....

If you want to run one or more phone lines to the 'main office', use Cat 5/6 Ethernet cable. It works just as well if not better than the old phone line stuff.
 

theoldwizard1

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I need to run a dedicated line or 3 to my 'main office' is there any benefit to twisted pair?
The old copper wire the phone company ran was twisted (IIRC, red & green, yellow & black).

Like Ddwag said, twisting helps "noise immunity" in any low voltage "transmission line".

From a EE standpoint twist pair is a close relative to coax !

(Please, no Smith Charts !)
 

Cmreschke

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If I'm reading it correctly, I think op wants to run 120 volt ckts with twisted pair wiring. If so no advantage and or disadvantage.
 

rockwithjason

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for power wiring it is totally useless and you would have a hard time finding a twisted pair power cable anyway. if noise immunity is what you want then run the circuit in metallic conduit
 

Falcon67

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Twisted is for data/communication lines to reduce interference from external EMI. Why you can run network cables over the top of fluorescent lights and get away with it. (not recommended LOL) If power is twisted, it's for convenience in handing the cable bundle.
 

alfredeneuman

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This is important in audio systems also, where twisted pair cable is used for signal loss due to inductive coupling over long distances.

(The phases of High Voltage transmission cables need to be transposed every few miles to counteract this effect too)
 
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LS6 Tommy

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Many types of power wire are twisted. Strip any type of power cord. It's twisted, too. Just not as tight of a helix as true twisted data/com wire. I'm not saying use cord or twisted power wire in conduit to supply power to your office...


Tommy
 

wyliesdiesels

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So I have always wondered.... twisted pair works with data cables, but how about electrical? I have never tried it because well my old house - lets not go there.

I need to run a dedicated line or 3 to my 'main office' is there any benefit to twisted pair?

Are u talking about ethernet/data runs or electrical service?
 

md21722

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If it was a requirement or beneficial it would be in the NEC. High end audio works on balanced pairs, XLR connectors, etc. Data is balanced similarly. Voltage, no. Follow code and you are doing what is required. I used to work for an AV engineering/integration company, all day everyday you heard about eliminating hum and noise in audio lines, nothing ever about electric. Racks filled with Crown or later on QSC amps to power Giants Stadium or what have you.
 
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Wildstar

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Many types of power wire are twisted. Strip any type of power cord. It's twisted, too. Just not as tight of a helix as true twisted data/com wire. I'm not saying use cord or twisted power wire in conduit to supply power to your office...


Tommy
Power wires are cabled (twisted) to ease the handling of the wire bundle. It has nothing to do with the transmission of power.
 

ddawg16

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Power wires are cabled (twisted) to ease the handling of the wire bundle. It has nothing to do with the transmission of power.

To clarify......the wires (and any stranded wire) has a slight twist to it to allow for bending. If there was no twist, you would not be able to bend wires without strands breaking.

In other words, it aids flexibility
 

LS6 Tommy

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Power wires are cabled (twisted) to ease the handling of the wire bundle. It has nothing to do with the transmission of power.

To clarify......the wires (and any stranded wire) has a slight twist to it to allow for bending. If there was no twist, you would not be able to bend wires without strands breaking.

In other words, it aids flexibility

I never meant to infer there was any power quality reason, just that it is done. :thumbup:

Tommy
 
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