F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Inquiries regarding uncovered metal at cable connections and cases in contact with them

Inquiries regarding uncovered metal at cable connections and cases in contact with them

Inquiries regarding uncovered metal at cable connections and cases in contact with them

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Bambook
Member
165
05-11-2025, 10:09 AM
#1
Howdy. I'm new here but I figured this was the best spot to go to. I recently just drilled and cut holes into the back of an old dell 3050 optiplex tower so I could swap out some 2 port esata cards for 4 port sata cards and then used esata by sata cables to terminate everything. Some of the holes are JUST RIGHT in size; however the outer metal of the esata cable is touching the PC cases metal on some cables. I am curious if that metal on the outside of the cable is just a ground. Haven't had any issues so far with connectivity (although I am currently waiting on the drives that will populate the esata ports. I essentially went from 6 ports to 12, and will be using 9 of them. All connecting to 4 drive enclosures, for a backup storage vault (or 3 depending on how I build the raid) I really appreciate any help that can be offered!
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Bambook
05-11-2025, 10:09 AM #1

Howdy. I'm new here but I figured this was the best spot to go to. I recently just drilled and cut holes into the back of an old dell 3050 optiplex tower so I could swap out some 2 port esata cards for 4 port sata cards and then used esata by sata cables to terminate everything. Some of the holes are JUST RIGHT in size; however the outer metal of the esata cable is touching the PC cases metal on some cables. I am curious if that metal on the outside of the cable is just a ground. Haven't had any issues so far with connectivity (although I am currently waiting on the drives that will populate the esata ports. I essentially went from 6 ports to 12, and will be using 9 of them. All connecting to 4 drive enclosures, for a backup storage vault (or 3 depending on how I build the raid) I really appreciate any help that can be offered!

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Xanturvan
Member
161
05-11-2025, 10:09 AM
#2
The exterior metal casing of a cable is typically a ground connection. It's acceptable if it makes contact with the enclosure, which is likely also grounded.
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Xanturvan
05-11-2025, 10:09 AM #2

The exterior metal casing of a cable is typically a ground connection. It's acceptable if it makes contact with the enclosure, which is likely also grounded.

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Lucadagreat
Member
236
05-11-2025, 10:09 AM
#3
Great! Your thanks means a lot.
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Lucadagreat
05-11-2025, 10:09 AM #3

Great! Your thanks means a lot.

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OKNK
Member
231
05-11-2025, 10:09 AM
#4
When worried about wear, ensure the hole is bigger and add electrical tape to the cable or use a rubber grommet. However, as long as the cable is intact, any exposed metal parts should only serve as insulation, grounding, or be left unused.
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OKNK
05-11-2025, 10:09 AM #4

When worried about wear, ensure the hole is bigger and add electrical tape to the cable or use a rubber grommet. However, as long as the cable is intact, any exposed metal parts should only serve as insulation, grounding, or be left unused.

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R3kab
Member
168
05-11-2025, 10:09 AM
#5
Hello! I used a dremel to smooth out all the edges. The issue I'm having now is waiting for the drives so I can test it all out
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R3kab
05-11-2025, 10:09 AM #5

Hello! I used a dremel to smooth out all the edges. The issue I'm having now is waiting for the drives so I can test it all out