not a psu q, but doesn't fit into another category

[invictius]

240 volt power leads. Like the ones that plug into computers. Does having them touching another live one matter? what if they touch themselves at points? I have 4 6 outlet power boards/strips, its's pretty hard to have them all not touching each other. I'm worried that, if an old one has an internal lead (positive, negative, ground) snap, then the outside insulation could heat up, possibly causing a fire. There are speaker leads and usb leads going over them too, which pretty much can't be helped. ALL power boards are surge protected.

Bonus questions: Does having a USB lead resting on top of a 240v lead intefere with data transfer? What happens if a usb/dvi extension lead (which, when the usb devices plugs into, has a bit of metal exposed) touches a metallic object? And, I'm not sure if the new microsoft wireless kb's/mice are RF or infrared, but I know the sensor has to be VERY close (2 inches away instead of a foot, even though the range stated is 6 feet), does it cause inteference if the usb lead for the sensor is resting on a 240v lead?

[larrymoencurly]

I don't think interference is a problem because the digital equipment uses high frequencies and filters out the 50-60 Hz of the AC power lines.

It's not dangerous for 240VAC cords to touch low voltage wires, but I don't know what building codes say about them. Fortunately plastic insulation is a lot more fire resistant than it was back in the good ol' days.

[invictius]

I don't think interference is a problem because the digital equipment uses high frequencies and filters out the 50-60 Hz of the AC power lines.

It's not dangerous for 240VAC cords to touch low voltage wires, but I don't know what building codes say about them. Fortunately plastic insulation is a lot more fire resistant than it was back in the good ol' days.

What about the 240VAC leads touching each other? Some are a bit old, have bends in them, and they MIGHT be susceptible to breaking internally, but the only way to un-bend the "kinks" in them would be to stand on them or put a phone book on them, wouldn't that put the internals more at risk of breaking? Even if I brought all new leads, they would still be bent a bit, say, at 180 degree angles with 2-3 inches in between the 2 parts of the lead. Example: a power board/strip laying on the floor, lead plugged in, where the lead part of the plug does a 180 and touches the floor (can't see a way to avoid that).

[itshondo]

I think you mean 110/115v, don't you? That's the normal voltage at a wall plate- 240v usually is used with high draw stuff like shop equipment, table saws, ect.

As far as interference is concerned, most computer signal cable are internally wrapped/sheildedfor just this reason- though it's not a bad idea to route all power cables together and signal cables seperately.

[_slh_]

depends where hes from. 240v is standard in all houses here in the UK, 110v is only used in industrial environments

[larrymoencurly]

What about the 240VAC leads touching each other? Some are a bit old, have bends in them, and they MIGHT be susceptible to breaking internally, but the only way to un-bend the "kinks" in them would be to stand on them or put a phone book on them, wouldn't that put the internals more at risk of breaking? Even if I brought all new leads, they would still be bent a bit, say, at 180 degree angles with 2-3 inches in between the 2 parts of the lead. Example: a power board/strip laying on the floor, lead plugged in, where the lead part of the plug does a 180 and touches the floor (can't see a way to avoid that).Wire insulation touching wire insulation is one thing, but copper touching copper is another, much more dangerous, thing. I'd fix any insulation that broke from being cut or pinched (that usually means cutting the cord at the break and not patching it), but if it broke because it had aged and become stiff or brittle, I'd throw out every similar cable of the same age. OTOH well-insulated high voltage wires in good condition can touch each other without problem.

[techun]

dont worry about your cords touchin

except i'd keep your sound and video cords off of power cords, just because sometimes it adds static or fuzziness to the video