I just remembered that energy is sent in "packets", and that it's not a combined 20 packet, it's a bunch of packets of 1, I had a few copper cables to end the connection, just enough to cut off 1 EU, killing any power. Switched them all to tin and it works fine.
IMO the EU/p should be changed, doesn't make sense for a tin cable to hold 20EU/t going through it.