What is this thingy for?

xoxoxoBruce · 08-13-2006, 10:57 PM

Almost every cable on my PC has one of these thingies on it, near one end.
Sometimes square and sometimes round (cross section), but all about the same length.
Some are easily removable, which is nice because they make threading cables a pain in the butt. Of course I alway put them back on, just because.
Most seem to have a metal core but some are all plastic, I've even seen at least one that was plastic trusses inside.

So inquiring minds want to know...what are they and what are they for?

I suspect they stop static electricity or maybe even voltage surges, but I don't know.

zippyt · 08-13-2006, 11:10 PM

That is whats called a ferrite( spelln' ) bead , it helps block out RF .

xoxoxoBruce · 08-13-2006, 11:15 PM

OK, ferrite is Iron, so that explains the metal ones. Thanks.

limey · 08-14-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyt

That is whats called a ferrite( spelln' ) bead , it helps block out RF .

You're worrying about the spelling, Zip?!?!?!?!??! Has somebody been getting at you?

footfootfoot · 08-14-2006, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

You're worrying about the spelling, Zip?!?!?!?!??! Has somebody been getting at you?

And the funny thing is, he was spelling it right.
(not to mention he knew what it was for)

tw · 08-14-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I suspect they stop static electricity or maybe even voltage surges, but I don't know.

The ferrite block is an RF filter. But it does not work (well) for frequencies in the AM (longwave) bands. It is mostly for eliminating shortwave, FM, and TV interference. For example a monitor operates in the tens of megahertz range. This is shortwave. Ferrite bead is part of a large system that blocks radiation of those frequencies. Other protection (not the ferrite bead) inside electronics should also make interference not occur to an adjacent AM (longwave) radio.

xoxoxoBruce · 08-15-2006, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tw

The ferrite block is an RF filter. But it does not work (well) for frequencies in the AM (longwave) bands. It is mostly for eliminating shortwave, FM, and TV interference. For example a monitor operates in the tens of megahertz range. This is shortwave. Ferrite bead is part of a large system that blocks radiation of those frequencies. Other protection (not the ferrite bead) inside electronics should also make interference not occur to an adjacent AM (longwave) radio.

Is this because the cable acts as an unintentional antennae?
What about the ones with no metal in them? Fraud?

MsSparkie · 08-14-2006, 08:18 PM

I think you should wear a tin foil hat instead of using those.

JayMcGee · 08-14-2006, 08:37 PM

mmmmm...... tin foil hats are tradionally used to block RF *into* the brain.

Fo you to use them to stop RF out of the brain seems like a tad overkill...

MsSparkie · 08-14-2006, 09:39 PM

Tin foil underwear?

zippyt · 08-17-2006, 10:02 PM

What about the ones with no metal in them? Fraud?

There IS metal in them ,
just in a powder form suspended in some other medium ,
the one you have the pic of is fragile ,
take it out of the plastic case and drop it ,
you'll see what I am talking about

xoxoxoBruce · 08-19-2006, 05:03 PM

If there's metal in the ones I'm talking about, it's mixed into the plastic before it's molded.
They look about the same on the outside but when you open them the inside is hollow, except for a couple of truss like ribs for strength.
No part of the plastic is thicker than, I would guess, 0.050", so there's nothing encapsulated.
The stiffening ribs would prevent having a lump of metal inside, that might have fallen out.
I've only seen a couple of them but I'll keep an eye out for one that I can open and photograph. Good shot for the closeups thread.

footfootfoot · 08-19-2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

If there's metal in the ones I'm talking about, it's mixed into the plastic before it's molded.
They look about the same on the outside but when you open them the inside is hollow, except for a couple of truss like ribs for strength.
No part of the plastic is thicker than, I would guess, 0.050", so there's nothing encapsulated.
The stiffening ribs would prevent having a lump of metal inside, that might have fallen out.
I've only seen a couple of them but I'll keep an eye out for one that I can open and photograph. Good shot for the closeups thread.

BWAAAHAAAHAAA Bruce, you got HOSED!!! They saw you coming a mile away.:p

xoxoxoBruce · 08-20-2006, 04:53 PM

Yes, but your sympathy and compassion is the lubricant, that makes my rape bearable. :p

footfootfoot · 08-20-2006, 05:19 PM

:a new bigger louder laughing smilie:

08-13-2006, 10:57 PM	#1
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	What is this thingy for? Almost every cable on my PC has one of these thingies on it, near one end. Sometimes square and sometimes round (cross section), but all about the same length. Some are easily removable, which is nice because they make threading cables a pain in the butt. Of course I alway put them back on, just because. Most seem to have a metal core but some are all plastic, I've even seen at least one that was plastic trusses inside. So inquiring minds want to know...what are they and what are they for? I suspect they stop static electricity or maybe even voltage surges, but I don't know. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. Last edited by xoxoxoBruce; 04-07-2007 at 05:51 PM.

08-13-2006, 11:10 PM	#2
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	That is whats called a ferrite( spelln' ) bead , it helps block out RF . __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

08-13-2006, 11:15 PM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	OK, ferrite is Iron, so that explains the metal ones. Thanks. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

08-14-2006, 08:18 PM	#8
MsSparkie Curious Sagittarius Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 302	I think you should wear a tin foil hat instead of using those. __________________ ~There is a forest in an acorn......

08-14-2006, 08:37 PM	#9
JayMcGee Cardigan-wearing man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Much Binding In The Marsh Posts: 1,082	mmmmm...... tin foil hats are tradionally used to block RF into the brain. Fo you to use them to stop RF out of the brain seems like a tad overkill... __________________ I like wearing cardigans...... my current favourite is an orange cable-knit with real leatherette buttons.

08-14-2006, 09:39 PM	#10
MsSparkie Curious Sagittarius Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 302	Tin foil underwear? __________________ ~There is a forest in an acorn......

08-17-2006, 10:02 PM	#11
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	What about the ones with no metal in them? Fraud? There IS metal in them , just in a powder form suspended in some other medium , the one you have the pic of is fragile , take it out of the plastic case and drop it , you'll see what I am talking about __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

08-19-2006, 05:03 PM	#12
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	If there's metal in the ones I'm talking about, it's mixed into the plastic before it's molded. They look about the same on the outside but when you open them the inside is hollow, except for a couple of truss like ribs for strength. No part of the plastic is thicker than, I would guess, 0.050", so there's nothing encapsulated. The stiffening ribs would prevent having a lump of metal inside, that might have fallen out. I've only seen a couple of them but I'll keep an eye out for one that I can open and photograph. Good shot for the closeups thread. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

08-20-2006, 04:53 PM	#14
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Yes, but your sympathy and compassion is the lubricant, that makes my rape bearable. :p __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

08-20-2006, 05:19 PM	#15
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	:a new bigger louder laughing smilie: __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

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