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Solder Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Wed, 13 Apr 2005 12:41:08
In Reply to: Ah, wiring..., JEM, Tue, 12 Apr 2005 15:12:53 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I've worked in the aerospace industry for over 25 years, and this is the first I've heard of not using solder. We use it all the time for joining connections. Yes, for aircraft use it requires a person trained and certified in soldering techniques. But that's aircraft.
The one thing to remember is that solder is NOT a mechanical connection. And twisting wires together is a mechanical connection, but mechanically poor. Twisting two wire ends together to form a good mechanical bond, and then soldering it to form a good electrical bond, is ideal. You then want to insulate it. The best way is to slip a piece of heat shrink tubing over one wire before joining them, and then slipping the tubing over the joint and shrinking it. Electrical tape is acceptble, but the adhesive on most electrical tape doesn't stand up well to the temperatures regularly found in cars.
What is soldering wrong? Laying two wires together and gooping it up with solder ("The bigger the blob, the better the job") That relies on the solder for the mechanical connection, and is doomed to fail. But isn't jewelry soldered, and that's strong? True, but electrical solder is not intended as a mechanical connection, so it is very soft. It has all the wrong mechanical characteristics.
Wire nuts provide a decent mechanical connection, and make an electrical connection by brute squeezing force. It is a very good way, heck, it's code, for electrical connections. In A House. House wiring with wire nuts isn't exposed to the elements, and definately does not see the vibration environment you see in a car. I wouldn't trust it in a car.
In a car, I use crimps for the mechanical portion of the connection, solder wherever possible, and cover with a good shrink tubing for insulation. Since the splice is a physical weak point, I try to strain relieve the joint, usually by twisting the insulted parts of the wire together leading up to the joint. That takes the force if the wires get pulled on.
Learning to solder is pretty easy. Wire and solder is cheap, and you can practice to your heart's content.
posted by 192.249....
, Wed, 13 Apr 2005 12:41:08 <-- Viewing This Message
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