Context:
I want to extend a wire that hooks up to the power momentary switch of a PC ( which has a built in LED). This extension will be about 10 meters long. While this distance might be that long to matter, I want to make sure that there is no voltage drop so I have read that thickening the wire will help.
A cat5 cable has 6 wires. I'd like to use this cable as it looks nicer and is easier to route.
Question:
Does soldering three of the cat5 cables to each terminal on the momentary switch effectively thicken the wire (thus preventing a drop in voltage)? Or am I misled in thinking this would work?
More information on the switch:
-The switch is rated up to 3A/250VAC, but the LED is rated for 1.8-2.8V, if you want the switch and LED to work under 12V, you need to add the resistor
Best Answer
The 'power momentary switch of a PC' should take very little current at all, at least with respect to cat5 cores. It is a logic input to the mobo, so a few mA at most, probably < 1mA.
If OTOH there is significant current running through it, then I would not use cat 5, even multiple cores of it which would 'thicken the wire'.