Finding the Right Cables for Crypto Mining
System Cables
The Setup of the Mining Rig
The crypto mining setup looks a lot like a personal computer setup, but incorporates the elements that are unique to cryptocurrency mining. Basically, you can call a crypto mining rig a customized personal computer. The setup consists of a CPU, motherboard, RAM, storage, PCU, graphic cards, and system cables that power the setup. Let's talk in more detail about these cables.
Types of the System Cables Used in Crypto Setup
PCIE GPU riser cables are the ideal cables for the mining rig setup. They are specifically designed for cryptocurrency mining rigs, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. The goal of such cables is to provide an uninterrupted PCIE connection that will support the mining operation. PCI-E risers are an element of the bitcoin mining rig setup that makes it different from a standard PC setup because the graphic cards are not directly linked to the motherboard. The goal of the PCI-E riser is to connect them indirectly. The setup of the PCI-E riser cable protects from overcurrent, overvoltage, and other possible interruptions thanks to capacitors, power management chipset, and voltage protection.
It is recommended to use riser cables that are powered, because non-powered riser cables do not achieve the stability that is required by the mining rig.
CAT5E vs.CAT6
PCIE risers are not the only type of system cables that are used to set up a crypto mining rig. For a more budget solution, a standard CAT5E cable is used quite often. Note that while there is info on the internet that CAT6 is also often used, the bandwidth requirements do not call for CAT6, and CAT5E has everything you need for the crypto rig to work. You can use both CAT5E and basic CAT5 to essentially the same success. They are both efficient enough to power a gigabit network. Using CAT6 will do you no harm, but there is no need to use them because they will not add anything to your mining compared to CAT5 cables.
External Power Supply Cables
There are a variety of system and supply power cables that are used for cryptocurrency mining. The overwhelming majority of the cables in crypto mining are either copper or fiber optics.
THHN/THWN Wire is the most commonly used type of cable in crypto mining because it is a cost-effective alternative that serves a lot of goals in a mining center. It is mostly used to connect a circuit with a PSU, though it can also be used for a variety of other goals. You may dupe THHN/THWN with XHHW, which is a more flexible and slightly more expensive cable that offers a superior resistance to many types of influence. If XHHW is made with an aluminum conductor, the price difference will be less noticeable.
Tray Cables and portable power cords, such as SOOW, are used for the power supply of crypto mines because they have superior durability and flexibility. All types of tray cables are used, including shielded, EPR/CPE, and THHN/PVC. For portable power cords, SOOW and SJOOW are the ones that are used the most often.
15kV Three Conductor EPR/PVC Power Cables are used for high-voltage power connections in rigs.
Cryptocurrency mining may even not be powered by conventional sources of electricity. Mining of crypto mining rigs powered by solar can be the next big thing in the industry as the solar power can save a lot of energy given the high rate of energy consumption associated with crypto. In case solar power is used, copper photovoltaic cables will be used to power the operations.
