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To solder or not to solder - This is the question

J

JERD

Jan 1, 1970
0
I need to terminate two 50 amp cables in a large terminal strip. There is
one line of thinking that if the cables are soldered before terminating,
over time the solder 'gives' making a possible loose connection.

I have no option to using a terminal strip.

Any definitive answer to this one?

JERD
 
P

Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"JERD" <
I need to terminate two 50 amp cables in a large terminal strip. There is
one line of thinking that if the cables are soldered before terminating,
over time the solder 'gives' making a possible loose connection.

I have no option to using a terminal strip.

Any definitive answer to this one?


** Yep - you use a plated copper "ferrule" and crush it on the end of the
cable with a crimping tool.

Then poke it in the hole and screw it down with two ( or more) hefty grub
screws.

Solder is out of the question.

BTW

What ginormous iron were you expecting to use on a 20+ sq mm copper cable
?



....... Phil
 
J

JERD

Jan 1, 1970
0
** Yep - you use a plated copper "ferrule" and crush it on the end of the
cable with a crimping tool.

Then poke it in the hole and screw it down with two ( or more) hefty grub
screws.

Solder is out of the question.

BTW

What ginormous iron were you expecting to use on a 20+ sq mm copper cable
?
...... Phil

TNX your reply.
A BIG one Phil

JERD
 
M

max

Jan 1, 1970
0
Phil said:
** Yep - you use a plated copper "ferrule" and crush it on the end of th

"crush" is very much the wrong word !!!!!

These need to be crimped on correctly, too much crimp and the cable will
go hard and break, too loose and it will over heat with the current

MAYBE if you can't crimp correctly, hard solder, maybe.

Max
 
T

Terryc

Jan 1, 1970
0
Phil said:
What ginormous iron were you expecting to use on a 20+ sq mm copper cable

A few waves ofthe lpg torch should suffice {:).
 
D

Dorfus Dippintush

Jan 1, 1970
0
JERD said:
TNX your reply.
A BIG one Phil

JERD

The Australian Electrical regulations prohibit soldered connections
unless it's for earth bonding. (From what I recall).

Dorf
 
J

JERD

Jan 1, 1970
0
The Australian Electrical regulations prohibit soldered connections unless
it's for earth bonding. (From what I recall).

Dorf

Should have said in my original posting this is a 12 volt application.

JERD
 
D

Dorfus Dippintush

Jan 1, 1970
0
JERD said:
Should have said in my original posting this is a 12 volt application.

JERD

I suspected as such. There's still a lot of wisdom in the regulations.
Soldering is more likely to cause problems in a high current situation
than a high voltage one.

Dorf
 
P

Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Terryc"
A few waves of the lpg torch should suffice {:).


** Oh yeah - what happens to the PVC covering ??

Anyone for toasted, melted plastic ?





..... Phil
 
I

ian field

Jan 1, 1970
0
Phil Allison said:
"Terryc"


** Oh yeah - what happens to the PVC covering ??

Anyone for toasted, melted plastic ?





.... Phil

Could be welding cable with heat proof cover.
 
T

Terryc

Jan 1, 1970
0
Phil said:
"Terryc"


** Oh yeah - what happens to the PVC covering ??

Anyone for toasted, melted plastic ?

If you think that is bad, you should see what happens when you use the
oxy torch {:).

You are spot on Phil, but I've seen that done with a soldering iron as
well by someone who claimed they did know how to solder. 25 pin plug
with every wire bare for 1" back from the plug. Shudder.

Adfter that experience, I inadvertently asked an old plumber "can you
solder". After all he and all the other old guys stopped laughing, he
said "not the type you need".

I was trolling a bit there Phil.
 
P

Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Ted"
"JERD"

I have crimped lugs onto 00 gauge welding cable then heated the lugs with
a blowtorch and feed solder in. It was for a 24v 600a amp application. so
far ok.


** IME that idea works just fine:

You are NOT relying on solder to hold copper wires together that are being
crushed apart by a clamp or grub screw.

You ARE making the termination more reliable by using solder to conduct
the current flow from the surface of the crimp lug to the surfaces of the
( otherwise) bare copper strands.

Keeps out moisture and prevent tarnishing & corrosion too.



....... Phil
 
I

ian field

Jan 1, 1970
0
Phil Allison said:
"Ted"


** IME that idea works just fine:

You are NOT relying on solder to hold copper wires together that are
being crushed apart by a clamp or grub screw.

You ARE making the termination more reliable by using solder to conduct
the current flow from the surface of the crimp lug to the surfaces of the
( otherwise) bare copper strands.

Keeps out moisture and prevent tarnishing & corrosion too.



...... Phil

Years ago I worked at a welding gear makers, the usual way was crimp then
run solder in. There was a fairly high failure rate as capillary action drew
solder past the crimp and made the wire "ankle" brittle - this suited the
company just fine, selling replacement cables at extortionate prices.
 
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