Internal laptop wire - insulation?

When adding an extra harddrive to my laptop, I spotted this:

Edit: The flash of the camera made the color of the wire seem brighter than it is. Here is a more true-color image (though not as sharp): http://i.imgur.com/V0f8yB7.jpg

I have two questions about this:

What type of connector is this? LCD? USB ports? Something else?
To me, it seems that the wires inside are not insulated, so that they could short circuit? Is this common? Are they actually insulated by some thin coating like wire on coils? Anything to worry about?

PS: The laptop seems to work as it should at the moment.

connector

user18110

Posted 2013-01-22T12:45:19.887

Reputation: 13

Its rather hard to tell from the images. The outer insulation DOES look damaged, but I don't ever recall seeing anything like that on the one laptop I took apart. Is that orange wires, or bare copper on the bottom one? I've seen LVDS/LCD cables covered in similar 'tape' to bundle them together, but never that completely. – Journeyman Geek – 2013-01-22T12:51:26.860

Outer insulation being the black stuff? I believe it just wasn't cut correctly, and thus open in one end (see the first image). The wires inside looks like bare copper to me, but I guess it could also be enamel covered wires? Basically, that's what I'm asking. Considering the number of wires inside, I would suppose a short had already happened if they were not insulated? So maybe they are? – user18110 – 2013-01-22T12:57:18.587

Added an image showing the true color of the wire a bit better. – user18110 – 2013-01-22T13:03:03.497

We would need to see the connector's pins to tell you anything. – Ramhound – 2013-01-22T13:06:45.817

I don't want to unplug it. What would that tell you though? Maybe the type of connector, but nothing about the insulation question ? – user18110 – 2013-01-22T13:09:03.010

Magnet wire has an enamel coating for insulation, rather than a thick vinyl or PVC sheath. But magnet wire is typically used in electric motors, alternators or generators rather than as hook-up wire where the enamel coating could be scraped off or nicked. If you have an Ohm meter, you could try to measure the surface conductivity of the exposed wire to see if it's really bare copper or enameled. – sawdust – 2013-01-22T21:11:29.310

@sawdust: Wouldn't that cause some voltage to be applied to the system, potentially damaging it? Do you have an opinion on what it looks like? – user18110 – 2013-01-22T22:29:27.013

True, using a meter does apply a voltage. But you should always perform resistance tests on an unpowered system; remove the laptop battery too. Be careful to just touch the wire. Don't use the pointed probe tip to pierce the enamel coating if it's there. The enamel color could be a green or red or bronze color, really anything. – sawdust – 2013-01-24T20:34:17.883

Answers

The outer wrap is an insulator, but not as much for electrical as for heat. The inside of the laptop is compact and gets very hot in those close quarters. They are also a way to protect the wires while bundling them together for neater installation into tight areas.

The outer wrap is very common with laptop wiring like this;

enter image description here

The wires inside are insulated and will not short out unless something rubs through the insulation. If it did short out, you would be having problems with the laptop. Since they don't appear in bad condition, I would say you have nothing to worry about.

CharlieRB

Posted 2013-01-22T12:45:19.887

Reputation: 21 303

I totally understand that they should be isolated. That's why I am asking this question, since to me it seems that they are not (by mistake). Are you sure they are (thin insulation?) ? – user18110 – 2013-01-22T14:03:34.950

1There is no possible way I can be 100% sure without seeing them in person. From what I can see in the pictures they appear to be insulated. It is highly unlikely they are not. My point is this: if they were not insulated they would short out and cause things to not work. IMO, you are worried about nothing. Enjoy your computer. – CharlieRB – 2013-01-22T14:12:30.560

I guess you're right. Just odd in my opinion that they would use such type of insulation (enamel?). I mean, they can't tell the wires apart now. – user18110 – 2013-01-22T14:21:57.080

As you say that the wires do have insulation, albeit thin, I don't think this will be a problem as long as the area in question is not subject to lots of movement.

If you are concerned, the easiest way to fix is simply to wrap a small piece of electrical insulating tape over the area where the sheath is torn. That should fix it more than well enough.

Julian Knight

Posted 2013-01-22T12:45:19.887

Reputation: 13 389

Not really concerned that the wires are visible, just that to me it looks like bare copper. I was asking whether or not they are insulated. You believe it does actually have a thin layer of insulation? – user18110 – 2013-01-22T13:18:46.237

Its hard to say from your photos I'm afraid but if they aren't that it would be odd indeed. I can't think of any wires except for maybe grounding wires to be uninsulated. If you really think they have no insulation, I really would put something around that bit. It can't hurt to do so. – Julian Knight – 2013-01-22T13:36:25.120

You can't really, as there are many wires inside that black tape-insulations. Is it normal for such wires to only be covered by thin enamel insulation rather than typical colored wire insulation? – user18110 – 2013-01-22T13:40:44.617