In message , David B
writes
Now you've got me thinking........

The trouble with all electric equipment is the cables.
The trouble with all electric equipment is, the cables.
The trouble is, with all electric equipment, the cables.

No it has to be 'is'.

The trouble with all electric equipment are the cables.
'are' just doesn't work.

You are correct. The subject of the sentence is "trouble" which is
singular. Therefore the verb is in the singular.

David

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David Rance writing from Le Mesnil Villement, Calvados, France