I came across some 220V power cords that seem to have ferromagnetic materials in them. I'm wondering if it's a problem that they're not purely copper. Should I be avoiding these types of cables, or is this something that's considered normal?
3 Answers
For sure, if the cable is made with iron instead of copper, it's going to be way less conductive. That means it'll heat up a lot more when you use it, which can lead to potential fire hazards if you plug in high-draw devices like hairdryers. Honestly, I'd recommend just tossing that cable and getting a proper one from a reputable vendor. Trust me, you don't want to risk it just because it looks beefy. Safety first!
Yes! There's a real risk with these cables due to eddy currents causing local overheating. With the increasing use of power banks and batteries, it's likely not worth the risk to use something that could lead to thermal runaway. Better safe than sorry!
This is definitely unusual! While a low power device like an electric clock or a toothbrush charger might not cause issues, these cables have higher resistance, which means they could heat up if you draw significant current through them. In the UK (and likely in the EU), there are regulations about the copper cross-section needed for certain currents, and since there's no specification for iron, using these cables may not be legal. Any chance you could provide more context on what device you’re using it with?