____________________________________

Nowadays a modern car presents so much electronic components that noises and interferences can more frequently penetrate into the sound system. The only remedy is to use high-grade cables and accessories to connect all devices to eachother without problems. That's why Signat has created the Platinum program.

Cables and connection material compose true essential elements in any car audio and car multimedia system. Without adequate connections noises will have free play; the audiovisual enjoyment will be deteriorated by annoying whistling, cracking or spattering noises. No wonder Signat concentrates on quality cables and accessories with its Platinum program.

Any audio or multimedia system in a vehicle will always be exposed to extreme conditions like heat, cold, shocks, dust and humidity: in other words ideal circumstances for corrosion to do its harmful job, striking at weak spots like metal surfaces of the cable connections. That's why all Platinum connectors have been heavily platinum-plated - this means they have a thick protective layer of 'platinum' through which corrosion can't penetrate.

Signal cables

To supply the amplifier with music, an RCA signal cable is needed, running from the headunit to the amplifier. This cable may never run next to the power wire, or it will pick up to much interference. So the signal cable has to be led through the other side of the car, unless the gutter overthere comprises already lots of noise generating carspecific wiring, like alarm cables, door locking cables, board computer cables etcetera. In this case it is preferable to run the RCA cable through the middle of the car. In normal cars, a double shielded signal cable will do. In noisy cars, which tend to pick up more interference, a superior shielded cable is recommended, like a twisted RCA cable, which even offers more protection against interferences.

Power wiring

To supply the amplifier with power, the positive wire comes from the battery. Over there the cable is connected with a high-quality battery terminal. This guarantees an optimum contact surface and prevents corrosion - and therefore a bad connection. Within a distance of 30cm from the battery a waterproof fuseholder is needed. This fuse protects the entire car against fire in case of an accident or a short-circuit. The positive power cable has to be led through the car at the side where the battery is located. The cable runs from the engine compartment to the passenger compartment and from there to the trunk where the amplifier is located.

Loudspeaker cables

TThe loudspeaker wires run from the amplifier to the loudspeakers. They tend to be fairly long and especially when they lead to doorspeakers, they have to travel a difficult way through grommet passages.

AWG and mm²

Signat cables are measured in AWG (American Wire Gauge), the American standard which is logarithmic and works much like calculating with deciBels. In this table the AWG wire cross-sections are converted to mm² according to the usual rounded standard as well as the precise values.

Cable diameter

Electric cables in cars should have a certain cross-section to transfer the power and signals without losses through the hostile environment of the vehicle with all of its interferences caused by other electrical circuits. The recommended wire cross-section is based on the system’s current draw and the length of the cable. Note that you can always use thicker cable (a lower AWG number); a power cable can never be too thick.