IOs this cable safe?

Acotsmist · Feb 4, 2014

First of all I'd like to say hello and that I am new here and if I have in anyway barged in or failed in site etiquette then please forgive my ignorance.  I am a photographer and use a lot of equipment including flash-heads and power-packs, now my equipment has to be tested for safety to see that it is safe for use. I bought a cable that was described as a High Quality connecting, cable but when I received it and opened the package this is what I got. <img src="attachment.php?attachmentid=22608&stc=1" attachmentid="22608" alt="" id="vbattach_22608" class="previewthumb">  this is it compared with a real high quality  cable  <img src="http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=22609&stc=1" attachmentid="22609" alt="" id="vbattach_22609" class="previewthumb">. As I said it was opened up when I opened the package, the cable was wrong the soldering terrible and when I told the person that I would never be able to use it they wanted to know why they said it pasts PAT testing and that its appearance doesn't matter. is this true? the canble is supposed to connect to a Bowens Travel pack similar to -   Bowens Gemini Travelpak Control Panel with 3m Cable and Charger (BW7692) - Wex Photographic

Thanks

acotsmist

Marvo · Feb 4, 2014

Wow, your post has got spurious bb code all over it.... was it a copy/paste from another forum?

Marvo · Feb 4, 2014

Here's your opening post cleaned up to make it easier for others to read. Maybe you could try attaching the pictures again.

First of all I'd like to say hello and that I am new here and if I have in anyway barged in or failed in site etiquette then please forgive my ignorance. I am a photographer and use a lot of equipment including flash-heads and power-packs, now my equipment has to be tested for safety to see that it is safe for use. I bought a cable that was described as a High Quality connecting, cable but when I received it and opened the package this is what I got. this is it compared with a real high quality cable

As I said it was opened up when I opened the package, the cable was wrong the soldering terrible and when I told the person that I would never be able to use it they wanted to know why they said it pasts PAT testing and that its appearance doesn't matter.is this true? the canble is supposed to connect to a Bowens Travel pack similar to Bowens Gemini Travelpak Control Panel with 3m Cable and Charger (BW7692) - Wex Photographic

Thanks

acotsmist

Darkwood · Feb 4, 2014

Have you a pic of the cable under discussion the link just shows the travel pack?

Acotsmist · Feb 6, 2014

Sorry for the Delay Darkwood, I have been really busy with photography lately not that I am complaining like

As I said I have young assistants helping me and although its not directly plugged into the mains these Travel/power packs still pack a punch and when the connector end just opens up on the least bit of provocation its not nice I told they guy who made it that he was using the wrong cable and that he missed soldering some of the pins and the pins that were soldered were not up to standards he just tolsd me that these cables do not need to be PAC tested and that i didn't need to worry about my insurance???
The cable on the left is a Bowens its enclosed by the manufacturers and its made well to last.....
(and it doesn't open up when handling.

I'd be glad to hear you and others opinions on this, bear in mind that these cables cost between £50 -120, so you we should expect some standards don't you think.

Thank you very much for you time and patience.

[ElectriciansForums.net] IOs this cable safe?

Hugh

( Flickr: hughhillphotography's Photostream)
( http://martademartini.com/ )
( HM Digiart Weddings | Professional Photography )

K-PAT · Feb 6, 2014

From the photo, this looks very much like a data cable that should be carrying electronic signals, not any form of electrical power.

Darkwood · Feb 6, 2014

As above i assume this connector is just working on extra low voltage and i assume it supplies a charging boost for your photography flash gear etc... that aside for the cost it does look poor choice of plug as you already have pointed out the obvious points id expect a flexing cable shroud too... it wont be long before the external movement of the cable will be acting on the solder pins as the cable sheath slips back leaving the clamp loose on the cores... for the cost of this plug/socket kit its a poorly made product ... probably done in house by a self taught repair guy.... as all the parts to it cost less than £15 and i could do it in under a hour even at my engineering hourly rate i couldn't charge you more than £40 and im sure his hourly rate is nothing like mine

The solder joints themselves maybe sound ..sometimes these things just don't look pretty but other options exist to segregate and keep them from shorting together like sleeving shrouds that slide over the soldered pin... not a requirement but can give added durability. Id be inclined to return the cable and source one that has been with a factory sealed plug and socket then you know its gone through a quality check.

gnuuser · Feb 20, 2014

good solder joints in data wire can be easily done by pre-tinning the wire but unless someone is taught proper solder techniques they usually end up leaving an ugly mess.
(had to teach a class in soldering at work and you can imagine the messes ive seen)
darkwoods correct though it should be sent back.