How to Tin a Soldering Iron and Wires Correctly

Fast tinning of wires

When installing or repairing electrical wiring, it is important to make the soldered connection correctly. Operational safety, reliability, and durability of the power supply depend on this.

To secure the solder well, you must first tin the wires, that is, cover them with tin solder. The applied layer will remove oxide impurities formed on copper or aluminum alloys and improve the adhesion of consumables.

There are different tinning methods. The choice is made taking into account the composition of the metal, the nature of the cross-section, the purpose of the wiring and its operating conditions.

Soldering with a soldering iron

Confident use of a soldering iron is necessary for every novice craftsman. Without established working skills, it will not be possible to tin a wire and then carry out soldering.

Everyone can choose the soldering iron dimensions and modification independently. Soldering stations and soldering irons with the ability to regulate the heating temperature are easy to use.

It makes sense to spend money on purchasing quality tools and equipment. Then your work will be enjoyable for many years.

Required Tools

Working with wires is not difficult if you are well prepared for it. It is advisable to do everything in advance so that later at the most inopportune moment you don’t have to fuss. The list of tools that allow you to tin wires or cables is as follows:

• well sharpened knife;
• medical or technical tweezers;
• regular pliers;
• soldering iron or soldering station;
• consumables (flux, solder).

Instead of a knife, special pliers are now sold that allow you to rip off the insulation in one motion. But they are not that cheap, so many people make do with a knife or scalpel.

All the tools and devices are simple, but very useful. Consumables mean a certain flux composition and solder suitable for a given type of wire.

Correct procedure

Wires should be tinned using a soldering iron in accordance with an algorithm verified by many years of practice. At the very beginning of work, you need to carefully remove the outer insulating layer of the wires with a knife or pliers. It is advisable to remove at least 10 mm and maximum 50 mm from the polymer coating from each connected end.

After this, use the same knife to clean the surface to a shiny state. This will eliminate the presence of remnants of the insulating sheath and remove oxide deposits from the wires.

Thick wire is easier to hold and clean. If the cable includes several thin wires, it is advisable to fray them, separate them, strip them on all sides, and then twist them again.

Then you can heat up the soldering iron, first checking the cleanliness of the tip. The surface will only be well tinned with a completely clean soldering iron tip.

Using a heated soldering iron, you should heat the prepared, thoroughly stripped ends of the wires, dipping them in rosin. The rosin needs to coat the wire well.

Use the soldering iron tip to take the solder and evenly distribute the mixture along the cut of the wires, which are fixed with tweezers or ordinary pliers. To ensure complete application of the mass of molten consumables, the wires should be rotated around their own axis.

Copper wire can be treated not only with rosin, but also with acidic flux. Some people prefer to use ready-made soldering acid, which is always commercially available. A special flux is provided for tinning aluminum wires.

If all previous operations were performed correctly, the molten solder material will well cover the contact area of ​​the wires. You need to carefully inspect the entire working area to make sure that the tinning was successful.

Wire processing options

Some craftsmen like the tinning method, in which the wires are pressed onto a piece of wood with a soldering iron.

This is a completely acceptable technology. The gases released when a wooden substrate is heated act to some extent as a flux, helping to remove oxides from the metal.

Aspirin melt removes oxidation products even better. The tablet can be placed under the wires when tinning. The gases released from heated acetylsalicylic acid well envelop the joint, removing all impurities from them. As a result, the wires will be successfully tinned.

There is a unique method for preparing multi-core wiring, in which a thin copper base is coated with enamel. In this case, craftsmen recommend using a piece of PVC material as a substrate.

As the temperature rises, polyvinyl chloride begins to release hydrogen chloride vapors, which, like hydrochloric acid, quickly destroy the oxide layer. As many video tutorials show, the PVC backing may not be very large, corresponding to the size of the tinning working area.

Tinning by dipping

Pre-treatment of large diameter wires is carried out differently. It is not easy to achieve complete uniform coverage of a large cross-section with a soldering iron.

Pieces of tin are placed in a special crucible and heated to obtain a molten metal. The end of the cable is first dipped in rosin or other flux, and then dipped into the inside of the crucible. As a result, the cut is completely covered with a protective layer.

Fully tinned wires are made in a similar way. The immersion is on a different scale and is performed in a factory environment.

A coil with a wound wire is placed on a mechanism through which the process will be served. First, all copper surfaces are mechanically treated with brushes pre-treated with a solution of zinc chloride. A dissolved flux is obtained from zinc and technical hydrochloric acid.

Then the wire from the coil is gradually untwisted and dipped into a bath of molten tin. The uniformity of the coating and the absence of sagging is ensured by subsequent processing of the wire material with rubber brushes. The wire is cooled by dipping in cold water, brushed again, re-wound and packaged.

Tinned copper wire products have a protective tin layer, the thickness of which varies from 1 micron to 20 micron.

Treatment increases the resistance of copper to the effects of a humid environment and minimizes the likelihood of its damage.

How to service earphone contacts

Microphones, iPhone headphones and any other acoustic gadget are constantly exposed to mechanical stress. As a result, the wiring breaks.

It will not be possible to prepare them for soldering using conventional methods. The varnish on top will interfere. Before tinning, it is either scraped off with a sharp scalpel or burned. You can also tin the rosin with a very hot soldering iron, which will remove the varnish.

A thin strand of wire is placed in rosin and heated with a soldering iron. Then, using a soldering iron, a thin layer of molten tin is distributed at the site of future contact. After this, the connection is made quickly. It will serve for a long time and reliably.

Source: https://svaring.com/soldering/praktika/luzhenie-provodov

Soldering wires with a soldering iron

Soldering copper wires with a soldering iron is a common technique for connecting electrical circuit components. When performing work, it is necessary to follow the technology of surface preparation and solder application. If the rules for connecting cables are violated, it does not have sufficient strength and has a negative impact on the operation of electrical equipment.

What you need for soldering

To connect cables with solder, you will need an electric soldering iron; the power of the device depends on the cross-section and material of the wire. To improve the quality of work, the tip is cleaned of carbon deposits and traces of rosin using an abrasive tool. At home, a file or emery cloth on a thick base is used for cleaning. A file allows you to remove coarse carbon deposits, sandpaper is intended for finishing the working surface of the tip.

When soldering copper wires, additional tools will be required for cutting and removing the insulating layer. The cables are adjusted to the required size using electrical cutters; it is recommended to use a tool with insulated handles. To remove the insulator, use a utility knife or special pliers, which allows you to evenly strip the cable.

Additional devices used for soldering:

1. Base designed to store a soldering iron and additional accessories. The device is made of metal or heat-resistant plastic.
2. A stand that allows you to correctly position the parts to be connected. When holding thick cables with your hand, the parts will move apart, which deteriorates the quality of the connection. There are stands with additional clamps, a magnifying glass and lighting. The equipment is designed for soldering small-sized parts.
3. A metal mesh that allows you to remove excess solder from the joint line.
4. Tweezers or clamps designed to facilitate the process of joining parts with solder.

Choosing the right materials

To clean the surface of copper wiring from oxides that prevent the application of solder, active substances are used that can remove foreign deposits. The basic product is rosin; the substance is not classified as aggressive and does not require additional washing of the surface. Rosin is used for connecting thin conductors or mounting components on printed circuit boards.

If you plan to connect wires to tinned elements, then use a solution of rosin in an organic solvent or a special flux in the form of a paste. The flux is applied to the joint; after applying the solder, there is no need to remove any remaining substance. To solder thin conductors, activated flux based on rosin (for example, LTI 120) is used. It is allowed to use glycerin-hydrazine paste; after treatment, the joint area is degreased.

It is necessary to prepare the solder that will be used for the connection. There are several varieties of lead-tin materials, differing in the proportion of components. The melting point of the alloy depends on the percentage of lead and tin. The material is supplied in the form of solid rods or wire filled with rosin.

Preparation

Before starting to connect the cables, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work:

1. Sharpen the soldering iron tip with sandpaper to obtain a smooth surface with a metallic sheen. The leading edge of the tip is sharpened at an angle of 45-60°, as a result the tool takes on the configuration of the tip of a flat-head screwdriver. Some products use a non-burnable tip, which is cleaned of scale with a special sponge. Sharpening such a tool is prohibited.
2. Connect the device to a household network and wait until it warms up . If the equipment is equipped with a temperature controller, then you need to set the desired parameter.
3. Dip the tip into rosin or flux several times, and then apply it to the solder. Manipulations continue until the stripped area of ​​the copper tip is covered with solder. As carbon deposits appear during operation, the surface is re-tinning. Soldering equipment with a temperature controller is less susceptible to carbon deposits.
4. Clean the base of the cables from the insulator layer , and then process the conductive cores. If a stranded wire is soldered, the metal elements are pre-twisted. Then the twist is heated with a soldering iron, and a layer of flux and solder is applied. When connecting multi-core cables, it is recommended to use liquid flux, which penetrates into the recesses and gaps between the cores.

Soldering process with a soldering iron

Pre-tinned parts are joined together; to increase the strength of the joint, twisting the copper cores with pliers is allowed. Then solder is introduced into the joint area, which is transferred to the soldering iron tip.

It is allowed to use a special wire with rosin inside, which is fed to the junction of the wires. The heated tip of the soldering equipment melts the lead-tin material, which fills the voids between the parts being connected.

Excess solder is removed with a metal mesh.

Novice installers have a question about how to properly solder wires made from dissimilar materials (for example, copper and aluminum). There are special fluxes that provide wetting of surfaces with solder. But it is not recommended to connect such parts by soldering, since electrochemical corrosion processes begin at the joint. To connect dissimilar metal parts, special couplings are used to prevent corrosion and destruction of conductors.

Precautionary measures

Safety rules that must be followed when working with soldering equipment:

1. Since when soldering with lead-aluminum solders, metal parts heated to 250-300°C are used, there is a risk of thermal burns. Organization of the workplace and carrying out work without haste reduces the risk of injury.
2. During operation, the soldering iron tip is located at a distance from the power cable, since the heated element will destroy the insulation. It is recommended to use a special stand to hold the tool.
3. Do not apply physical force to the soldering iron. Additional pressure does not speed up the joining procedure. To melt a drop of solder, you need to heat the point to the required temperature. The tip is applied to this place, and then you need to wait a few seconds until the joint area warms up to the melting temperature of the solder. If there is excessive pressure, there is a risk of the tip slipping and injuring the hands with a hot tool.
4. When working with acidic fluxes, it is recommended to use safety glasses. When connecting parts in an inconvenient place (for example, in junction boxes indoors), glasses are also used when using rosin. Safety features reduce the risk of injury from solder splashes.
5. Since solder and flux vapors are poisonous, all work is performed in a ventilated area or under a special hood with an electric fan.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake when soldering copper wires is a violation of the temperature regime at the junction. If the heating is insufficient, the solder does not fill the air gaps between the parts. The connection is not strong; at the slightest application of load, the cables move away from each other. Overheating of surfaces leads to flux burnout and the formation of a layer of oxides and scale on the surface of the wiring, which prevents the elements from being connected with solder.

When connecting cables, solder is applied to one side of the mating parts. The joint is correct if the material flows out from the opposite side of the elements. If the amount of solder is insufficient and the temperature drops, zones without contact are formed. Beginning installers heat the area with the end of the soldering iron tip; it is recommended to use the entire working surface of the tool.

The pause between the melting of the solder and the application of material to the joint line leads to burnout of the flux. To ensure a quality connection, it is necessary to simultaneously apply the tip and apply solder. The skills to properly handle soldering equipment come only with experience, so novice installers are not recommended to perform responsible work.

Source: https://electrod.biz/payka/provodov-payalnikom.html

How to properly solder two wires with a soldering iron?

> Knowledge base >

24.09.2018

Every man wondered how to solder two wires. Performing such actions is required when repairing household and computer equipment, electronic devices and machine tools. Before you get an answer to the question, you need to familiarize yourself with the tools and materials needed for the work.

Choosing rosin and fluxes

The choice of flux or rosin depends on what materials will be soldered:

1. Tinned parts. In this case, liquid rosin is used. You can replace it with flux paste, which does not dry out and does not require removal of residues. Rosin gel has a gel-like structure, the product is easily washed off with water.
2. Working with small radio components. Activated rosin fluxes, for example LTI-120, are suitable for this. Glycerin hydrazine paste also has positive qualities. However, after using this product, the parts must be degreased.
3. Soldering of iron, brass and copper parts of small sizes. Liquid Rosin Lux copes well with the task.
4. Connection of massive galvanized parts. In such cases, acid fluxes (orthophosphoric or soldering acid, Fim) are used. Acidic compounds work quickly, so the metal does not need to be heated for a long time.
5. Soldering of aluminum parts. To solder these types of wires, in the past the soldering iron tip was usually treated with rosin. However, now F-64 flux is used to work with aluminum and copper, which provides good adhesion of the metals. The product contains toxic chemicals, so it is recommended to work in a ventilated area. F-34 flux, which has less activity, is considered safer.

Source: https://odinelectric.ru/knowledgebase/kak-pravilno-spayat-dva-provoda-payalnikom

Wire tinning technology

» Electrical wiring » Wires and cables » Wire tinning technology

We have already looked at how to connect wires at home, but if you want to make high-quality electrical wiring in the house, then you simply cannot do without tinning copper wires and cables. Therefore, we decided to tell you in more detail how to tin wires, why to do it and how to work with a soldering iron correctly. We will also provide detailed instructions that will allow you to do everything correctly and quickly.

Why tin the wires?

Many people do not quite understand why all this needs to be done at all. But the fact is that in air, copper begins the oxidation process, which accordingly leads to a deterioration in the contact between the wires. If this contact is too weak, it begins to overheat, and the wiring may catch fire. To avoid this, it is necessary to tin all the stripped cores, especially since doing all this is not at all difficult.

You can also use tinning when connecting LED strips by soldering. In this case, it will become more reliable, over time the contacts will not fall off and will delight you with beautiful light in the room for a long time.

How to tin wires: step-by-step instructions

So that you can tin the wires correctly, we decided to tell you detailed instructions in pictures. If you read everything carefully, you shouldn't have any problems.

Preparing tools

Before you start tinning, you should gather the following tools:

• A sharp knife, preferably a stationery knife.
• Pliers or tweezers.
• Solder, flux or rosin. The easiest way to work is with rosin.
• Soldering iron.

How to tin your own wires:

1. You need to remove the insulation from the conductor; you can use an insulation stripping tool; if you don’t have one, use a regular knife.
2. After removing the insulation, you need to strip the wires to a metallic shine. If you have a stranded wire, then you need to fluff up all the conductors and strip them. It is best to strip each core separately - it is more convenient.
3. We turn on the soldering iron and clean it of dust and old solder, which it likes to collect. Use small sandpaper when cleaning it.
4. Heat the tip of the wire (just run it with a hot soldering iron).
5. Touch the soldering iron to the rosin and solder. The working surface must be covered with tin.
6. Next, take a soldering iron and touch the copper conductor. All solder should be applied evenly to the core. To improve this process, you need to use tweezers or pliers to tin the tip of the wire from all sides, at this time you need to scroll it, this will significantly save time.
7. Take a close look at your wire or cable. The working surface should be completely covered with solder. If you see that there are places without solder and the conductor is just visible, then start tinning again.

Note! You cannot tin the headphone wires this way. They have special features, because all conductors are enameled. Initially, you need to remove all the enamel, and then use a thin soldering iron and tinning the headphones.

If the wires are very thin, then it is better not to use rosin at all, because it is difficult to guess with its quantity. In this case, it is optimal to use soldering acid. You need to use it to treat the tip of the conductor with a regular brush. Next, use a soldering iron to apply solder. This method cannot be called more reliable, but with thin conductors it will not work any other way.

How to tinning: video

We have also collected several interesting videos that will help you tinning your wires correctly.

How to tin wires at home:

How to repair headphone wires by tinning:

We make tinning on a large cross-section wire:

We also recommend reading: ASB cable: technical specifications and detailed review.

Source: https://vse-elektrichestvo.ru/elektroprovodka/provoda-i-kabelya/texnologiya-luzheniya-provodov.html

How to tin wires correctly? — Metals, equipment, instructions

When installing or repairing electrical wiring, it is important to make the soldered connection correctly. Operational safety, reliability, and durability of the power supply depend on this.

To secure the solder well, you must first tin the wires, that is, cover them with tin solder. The applied layer will remove oxide impurities formed on copper or aluminum alloys and improve the adhesion of consumables.

There are different tinning methods. The choice is made taking into account the composition of the metal, the nature of the cross-section, the purpose of the wiring and its operating conditions.

How to properly solder wires with a soldering iron

:

When performing electrical installation work, there is always a need to connect cable lines to each other. Most often, this procedure is performed in mounting boxes using various methods, including soldering. In the latter case, novice electricians often have the question of how to solder wires with a soldering iron in order to ensure a high-quality and reliable connection.

Since most home electrical networks use copper cable, it is necessary to consider soldering wires made from this metal.

Connecting wires by soldering

Connecting wires using a soldering iron, solder, acid and fluxes is always carried out according to the same scheme, consisting of a standard set of operations. Many consumables have universal properties and can be interchanged if necessary. If the connections are designed for significant loads, it is necessary to strictly comply with technological requirements and use only certain materials.

Direct soldering of conductors involves heating copper conductors to a high temperature and then connecting them to each other. They are enveloped by a layer of solder, and after cooling the entire structure becomes monolithic and non-separable.

Many electricians consider soldering wires a fairly simple operation, but in practice they often have to deal with the specific features of this procedure.

In each specific case, you need to choose the right solder, ensure the fixation and immobility of the wires for the entire period of their connection.

When soldering copper wires together, special attention is paid to the electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of the joint. These parameters are directly related, since strong soldering itself provides the maximum level of conductivity. Much depends on the thickness of the applied solder layer, since it has a fairly high resistivity.

The required strength of the conductor connection is achieved due to the cleanliness of the connected surfaces. Solder coats the copper cable at the atomic level, so not only ordinary contamination, but also a thin oxide film can become an obstacle.

Another condition for strength is the temperature of the solder, which is kept at a lower level than that of the parts being joined. A material with a high melting point can significantly reduce the strength of the joint, and its crystal lattice does not form correctly.

It is recommended to use exactly the same solder that matches the cores of the copper wires.

Preparation of tools and materials

Before soldering copper wires, you need to prepare all the necessary materials and tools. It is recommended to make a list in advance and strictly follow it, otherwise you will not be able to connect the wires.

First of all, for work you will need:

• A soldering iron is the main tool without which it is impossible to solder metal parts. Soldering irons have different powers, which determine the heating speed. The recommended power of the tool is over 60 watts, it is connected to a network with a voltage of 220 volts, which allows it to withstand a lot of soldering. Its heating is capable of melting flux and solder without bringing them to a boil.
• Surf. It is essentially a tin-based alloy. It is used to join metals that have a high melting point. Most often it comes in the form of a long wire, sometimes sold in small pieces.
• Rosin. Used as a flux for tinning surfaces to be joined. Due to this, the reliability of adhesion of copper conductors to solder and to each other increases.

It’s worth taking a closer look at the soldering iron. Before starting work, it must be cleaned of contaminants, the remnants of old solder must be removed and the tip must be cleaned. This procedure is performed with a file, which must be smoothly moved along the working surface. Preparation of the workplace taking into account safety requirements is of great importance. There must be an outlet nearby.

Working with a soldering iron is greatly simplified if you have additional accessories:

• A thin metal stand that serves as a work area. Here not only the cable is connected, but the entire instrument is unfolded.
• Thin copper strands are assembled into a braid, which removes excess solder.
• A special device on which clamps and a magnifying glass are installed. This makes it easier to work with a small soldering iron and small parts.
• It is recommended to move and hold heated metal parts with pliers, clamps or tweezers.

Selection of solders, rosin and fluxes

On the building materials market, solders and fluxes are presented in a wide range. Most of them are considered universal, suitable for solving almost any soldering problem.

The main function of fluxes is to prepare for soldering - pre-etching metal surfaces and removing the oxide film from them. In most cases, the presence of such films can cause metal corrosion. For different types of metals and alloys of the elements being joined, their own types of fluxes are provided. The chemical composition of these materials includes alkaline mixtures, acids and metal salts that actively participate in reactions when high temperatures are reached.

Conventionally, all fluxes are divided into two parts:

1. The first group refers to active elements made on the basis of inorganic acids - perchloric or hydrochloric. They are suitable for connecting any wires and other metal parts. However, such substances have an extremely negative effect on copper, causing corrosion of the connections. In this regard, immediate removal of such fluxes is required immediately after soldering is completed. These elements have increased conductivity and often cause short circuits.
2. The second group includes fluxes made from rosin. In simple cases, rosin itself can be used in its pure form. Additional components are alcohol and glycerin, which completely evaporate during the soldering process. Liquid fluxes are not as effective, but they are absolutely indispensable when working with non-ferrous metals, although they require the same quick rinsing.

It is much easier to choose the right solder. To work with copper wires, alloys based on tin and lead of the POS brand are used. The number after the marking indicates the amount of tin contained in the solder.

Experts recommend using products with a high tin content. Due to this, the electrical conductivity in the new connection increases, and the node itself acquires additional strength. The function of lead is to normalize the solidification of solder.

Without this additive, cracks will form on the tin and the connection will collapse very quickly.

There are other types of solders made using modern technologies. Here lead was replaced by zinc or indium, which are non-toxic elements. Therefore, the alloys are environmentally friendly, and the joints are more durable and resistant to corrosion.

How to tin the veins correctly

Before soldering the wires, you should tin the soldering iron tip. It must first be cleaned of dirt, grease, and oxidative film. The surface is cleaned to a shine, after which the tip is lowered into rosin and then into solder. It is then applied to a board or other clean surface to avoid solder sticking. The procedure continues until the sting changes color.

Before tinning, the wires are cleared of insulation, after which the wires are treated with flux. Conductors with several cores are pre-twisted into bundles. A thin, uniform layer of heated solder is applied to the treated surface. For this purpose, the core must be rotated slowly throughout the tinning process. It is quite possible to process a well-prepared clean wire in one go. After this, direct soldering of the copper conductors begins.

Soldering wires with an electric soldering iron

Soldering wires with a soldering iron is not particularly difficult. It is enough to perform similar actions several times, after which certain practical skills will appear. If you work with a soldering iron regularly, then soldering will become not only fast, but also of high quality.

According to experts, preparatory work takes much longer than direct connection. In this case, the wires are simply overlapped or twisted together. Next, they are heated with a soldering iron. When the temperature of the solder reaches its maximum, it begins to melt and spread over the surfaces of the conductors.

After cooling, a strong monolithic connection with good electrical conductivity is formed. During operation, the wires must be motionless, otherwise the quality of the seam may noticeably deteriorate. Solder cooling can be accelerated using a fan.

Soldering wires with fluxes with a soldering iron must comply with the following rules:

• The melting point of rosin is lower than that of solder. Due to this, the strength of the connection significantly increases.
• Avoid contact between flux and molten tin. Each of these materials forms its own coating, which increases the reliability and quality of the connection.
• Rosin should be evenly distributed over the surface, capturing all the parts to be joined due to its increased fluidity.
• Under the action of fluxes, films formed by foreign materials on surfaces are easily dissolved and removed.
• Fluxes and the materials being joined must not react with each other to avoid corrosion of the joints. The parameters and technical characteristics of the elements will remain unchanged.

How to properly connect copper and aluminum wires

Quite often there is a need to connect wires consisting of dissimilar materials - copper and aluminum. It should be immediately noted that they cannot be connected directly, since copper is a reactive metal.

Both materials have different conductivity and thermal conductivity. Under the influence of current, the heating and expansion of aluminum is noticeably higher than that of copper. With constant expansion and contraction, contact is gradually broken, and a film that does not conduct current is formed between them. This section stops working and falls out of the general scheme.

In such cases, it is recommended to use bolted connections with one bolt, one nut and three washers. In this case, direct contact between dissimilar conductors is eliminated and the connection will work normally.

Source: https://electric-220.ru/news/kak_pajat_provoda_pajalnikom/2019-01-07-1627

How to solder wires with a soldering iron - technology, tools, materials

At first glance, soldering wires is the simplest task. However, there are a number of nuances that both beginners and experienced radio amateurs need to know.

First of all, let's look at the technology of soldering wires with a soldering iron:

A solder connection is nothing more than diffusion, that is, the penetration of metal particles into each other. This property of the materials being connected provides both high strength and electrical conductivity of the connection.

Of course, for mutual penetration, at least one of the metals must go into a liquid state of aggregation, that is, melt. To ensure adhesion, the metals must fit together, and their surface must be free of contaminants and oxides.

For a quality connection, you must follow three rules:

1. Solder compatible with the metal being soldered;
2. Flux, which ensures the purification of the selected material from oxides;
3. Correctly selected soldering iron.

Let's start with the third point. Let’s immediately make a reservation that you can heat metal and melt solder using a gas torch or a hair dryer. But this is a topic for other publications.

So, how to choose a soldering iron for soldering wires

As an example, consider ordinary wires with a cross-section of 0.8 - 3.5 squares, which is the most common size for household installation work.

Thinner wires are used when assembling circuit boards, and a soldering iron for microcircuits is suitable for working with them. Thicker conductors are used in power supply, where the soldering technology is slightly different.

Soldering iron power

First of all, the soldering iron is selected by power, and not by tip temperature. Wires, especially copper wires, have high thermal conductivity.

When you touch the tip of the soldering iron to the soldering area, part of the thermal power is instantly dissipated along the conductor. This must be taken into account when knowing the thickness of the core.

The soldering iron for wires should have a power of 40-60 W. Less power will be distributed through the cable, and you will have to spend a lot of time warming up the connection.

1.  The soldering quality will deteriorate.
2. Prolonged heating will damage the insulation.

Too high a power will instantly evaporate the flux and also melt the insulation.

An incorrectly selected temperature causes discomfort to the radio amateur. As a rule, one of the soldered wires has to be held by hand. If it heats up along its entire length, you can burn your fingers.

The power is considered sufficient if soldering takes no more than 2-3 seconds. Of course, provided that the solder completely melts and spreads over the metal of the conductor.

The right sting

The ideal option for connecting wires is a copper tip with a flattened end.

Soldering iron tip flat

Copper will allow you to accumulate enough thermal energy so that it does not dissipate through the wires. And the flat end will provide a wide contact patch.

The disadvantage of a copper tip is its tendency to oxidize. Even the thinnest layer of oxide becomes a heat-insulating layer, worsening the heating of the working area.

You can also solder with modern conical tips made of composite materials or ceramics.

Ceramic tip

The only difference is in the methodology. Such a sting must be pressed not across, but along, which is not always convenient.

Instant Heating Soldering Gun

A good option for soldering wires. The high temperature of the tip and the flowing current from the transformer instantly warms up the soldering site, without having time to melt the insulation.

Electric soldering iron - gun

If the tip has the shape of a loop, you can cover the solder from all sides, increasing the heating efficiency. However, such soldering irons are more expensive than regular ones.

Correct soldering kit

We've decided on the main tool. In addition to the soldering iron itself, a certain set of related materials and devices is required.

Set of soldering accessories

• Insulation stripper or mounting knife. There are no special criteria, the main thing is that the cores do not break off during stripping. You also need to have a knife to remove the varnish coating from the exposed wires;
• Flux. His choice is almost a religion. They are made from a variety of materials; it can be solid, jelly-like or liquid - the purpose is the same. More precisely, two: clean the surface and prevent oxide from forming.

Various fluxes for soldering

The most successful option is banal pine rosin. The only drawback is poor fluidity (in our case it should penetrate the twist), and when overheated, carbon deposits form. Details on how to solder with rosin and tin.

Many people use soldering lard. It makes no sense to give preference to any option. Anyone who knows how to work with a soldering iron has a favorite flux in their arsenal.

• Soldering vice. The device is very useful. You must either buy them or make them yourself;
• It is when soldering wires that a third hand is most often missing. And the object itself heats up so much that it is better to secure it in a third-party holder;  
• Soldering iron stand. A mandatory attribute for a radio amateur. Make it from any non-flammable material. The main thing is that the soldering iron does not lie on the table turned on, and even more so, does not roll onto your lap or onto the floor;
• Sponge for cleaning the tip. Any non-synthetic dense fabric moistened with soapy water will do. A good option is cloth nailed to a wooden block.

Preparing wires and soldering iron for work

This will seem strange, but many radio amateurs do not know how to properly tin the soldering iron. Not only that, few people know how to tin wires.

Popular: Classic DIY soldering iron

Let's make a reservation right away - only copper tips need to be tinned. Tips made of ceramics or composite materials can be simply cleaned without using an abrasive. To begin with, the tip is removed from the heating tube. Use a file or needle file to give it the required tip shape.

Then sand it with fine sandpaper until it shines. The entire surface of the tip is subject to processing, and only the tip is tinning. After this, a piece of solder is placed in a jar of rosin, and a heated soldering iron is placed under the tin.

Lesson on soldering wires using regular rosin.

The melted rosin will clean the copper and the solder will spread across the surface. There is another method used during work. A piece of rosin and solder is placed on a piece of wood (preferably coniferous).

Use the tip of a heated soldering iron to vigorously rub this mixture over the wood. Mechanical cleaning and tinning occur simultaneously.

Cleaning and tinning the soldering iron tip

Wires must be tinned before soldering. Otherwise, you will spend a lot of time warming up, the insulation will melt, and the soldering will turn out to be of poor quality.

An exception is made when it is necessary to twist stranded wires. Then tinning and soldering can be combined. In other cases, the tips of the connected conductors must be impregnated with molten solder.

The end of the wire is cut, the varnish coating is mechanically removed, and immediately cleaned with flux. After that, a drop of solder is collected on the soldering iron, and the wire is covered with tin from the edge to the insulation.

You can do this directly in a jar of rosin, it will just create more smoke.

Wire tinning

After the preparatory procedures, we proceed to the connection.

How to solder wires correctly

Despite the fact that if the solder is of good quality, you can do overlap soldering, it would be better to twist it first.
So both strength and electrical contact will be more reliable. Twist options in the diagram:

Options for twisting wires when soldering

If the wire is single-core, after tinning it is twisted and soldered. Stranded wire can be twisted immediately after stripping and then soldered. The soldering iron tip must have contact with the wire, the maximum possible area, to ensure heating.

Good soldering is achieved if the joint is heated with a soldering iron, and the solder is supplied to the working area separately. Then you won’t have to tear the tip away from the heating site to take the next portion of tin.

Correct soldering of wires

As soon as you see the solder “boiling” and it fills all the cavities, you can remove the soldering iron.

A high-quality soldered connection looks like this:

High-quality soldering of wires

There is no bare metal visible anywhere, the surface of the solder is smooth, without holes, and has an even matte finish.

Source: https://obinstrumente.ru/elektroinstrument/payalnik/pajka-provodov-payalnikom.html

Tinning wires: necessary materials and sequence of actions

There are various ways to connect individual electrical conductors. The quality of the contact obtained determines the reliability, safety and uninterrupted operation of the entire electrical circuit. To achieve these indicators, it is necessary to tinning the wires.

Modern conductors are made of non-ferrous alloys coated with an insulating layer, which is accompanied by increased resistance to corrosion. When connecting them, it is necessary to strip off part of the insulation. This leads to the formation of contact with the air and, over time, to oxidation of the conductor surface.

Tinning the wire prevents oxidation of the conductive material

Note! If there is a weak contact, increased heating will be observed at the junction of the wires. At best, it will end in a break in the electrical circuit, at worst, in a fire.

To eliminate these problems, stripped sections of wires should be tinned. Maintenance will remove oxide impurities from the exposed cable cores and increase the adhesion between the connected elements.

List of materials and tools required for tinning wires

It is possible to properly irinate the connected cable cores only after preliminary preparation. It consists of collecting the required material and tools. To carry out tinning you will need:

1. Insulation coating removal device - used to remove polymer, varnish or fabric insulation. In this case, the core is not subject to mechanical damage. Such a tool is quite expensive. If you don't have one, you can use a utility knife or scalpel.
2. A means for holding conductors - the tinning process is accompanied by heating the cable cores and various solders to high temperatures. Therefore, you will need to prepare pliers, tweezers, wire cutters or a similar tool.
3. Solders and fluxes are materials used directly for tinning conductors. Initially, the electrical wire is treated with flux to clean the surface. Then a layer of solder is applied. There are various types of these materials, which are selected for a specific conductor alloy.
4. Device for heating solder - selected based on the required type of soldering. For local tinning of small cross-section cable cores, soldering irons or soldering stations are used. To tin wires with thick cores, a crucible or oven is used. Their design provides for a special bath, which is filled with a tinning mixture.

Set of tools for tinning wires

The correct sequence of actions when tinning conductors

Let's look at the process of tinning conductors using a soldering iron as an example, since this method is the most common. The following is a step-by-step procedure:

1. The insulation layer ranging from 10 to 50 mm is carefully removed so as not to directly damage the cable cores.
2. If there is a varnish coating on the surface of the conductor, it is removed. This can be done using a knife, sandpaper or special chemicals.
3. The soldering iron tip is cleaned from residual solder and other components.
4. The soldering iron is connected to the electrical network and heated to operating temperature. If you have difficulties determining it, you should try to touch the solder with the tip of the device. It should melt instantly.
5. At this stage, the conductive wires are treated with flux, in our case rosin. Using a soldering iron, you need to heat the stripped ends of the conductor and lower them into a jar of flux. After this, wait until the rosin melts and turn the core completely under the soldering iron tip. The technology for using other types of fluxes may vary;
6. Now all that remains is to tin the conductor with solder (tin). To begin with, the solder is heated and applied to the soldering iron tip. After this, the tin is brought to the tip of the conductor and spreads evenly over the entire surface. If you follow the correct technology for processing the cores with flux, the tin will independently cover the required area. It will be enough to simply turn the end of the conductor at the soldering iron tip.
7. The resulting layer of solder is carefully inspected for the absence of chips, voids and bulges. The tin should lie evenly on the stripped edge of the conductor and have a smooth surface with a light tint.

Subtleties of tinning wires

Tinning wires consists of many nuances that become accessible with experience. Below are some tips from the professionals on how to make the maintenance process easier and better:

1. To tin a long length of wire, it is more advisable to use a crucible or oven.
2. When soldering factory parts, no maintenance is required. All contact parts have already been cleaned of impurities.
3. It is much easier to remove the varnish layer from small cross-section conductors using a lighter. It is enough to burn the contact part and remove the resulting carbon deposits.
4. When working with solder, it is recommended to use the flat part of the soldering iron tip.
5. Old soldering irons heat up to high temperatures over time. This causes the solder to roll off the tip during the soldering process. To eliminate this problem, you should connect the device to the electrical network immediately before performing maintenance.

Using the flat part of a soldering iron tip to tin braid

Options for servicing wire without rosin

Let's figure out what to do if you don't have rosin on hand, and the work needs to be done as soon as possible. Below are the most current solutions to the current situation.

Amber, animal fat and resin

This option is suitable for processing multi-core cables with a thin cross-section (power supply conductors for headphones, power supplies). To prepare the flux, you will need to melt the three indicated components at the same time, stirring constantly. This is necessary to obtain a uniform consistency. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of an unpleasant odor from the prepared solution.

Using amber to replace rosin

Batteries and aspirin

To service copper alloy conductors, you can use the following available tools:

You will need to drain the electrolyte from the used battery device and use it.

Draining electrolyte from an old battery

When using aspirin, it is recommended to use the classic form of the drug. The tablets are ground to a powder and dissolved in water or alcohol-containing liquid. Respiratory protection measures will need to be taken. You can use a cotton-gauze bandage or use a hood. Both options are accompanied by the release of harmful gases.

Tinning wires using an aspirin tablet

Universal acids

This method involves the use of alkaline agents. The conductor and solder are thoroughly cleaned first. Processing is carried out with stearin, the most affordable option is a candle. It must be melted and evenly applied to the surface to be treated.

Boric acid can be used to replace flux

Unusual options

You can also tin the wire without rosin using an extravagant method, using a substance for rubbing bows. It must be dissolved in pure alcohol, and then the prepared core must be processed. Over time, the alcohol will completely dry out, and the cable will receive the required tinning.

Rosin for bows Thomastik Euphon

You can tinning the wires yourself, following a certain procedure. It is necessary to select the correct solders for a specific alloy of the conductor.

Tinning wires: necessary materials and sequence of actions

0,00 / 0

Source: https://220.guru/electroprovodka/provoda-kabeli/luzhenie-provodov.html

How to solder twisted copper wires

Electrical wiring in the room must be safe and convenient to use.

If you strictly follow this rule, then each energy consumer (chandelier, TV, computer, refrigerator) must have its own protection device against short circuits or overheating of the wiring.

You can run a separate cable from the personal circuit breaker for each outlet and switch. Two more criteria oppose this: rationality and economy.

What are distribution boxes for?

Rational wiring looks like this:

That is, the total energy consumption of the facility is evenly distributed among the circuit breakers. In addition, consumers should be divided into groups, for example:

1. Living room and bedroom lighting
2. Kitchen lighting
3. Lighting for bathroom and hallway
4. Socket group (in each room)
5. Power socket group (for powerful consumers, such as an air conditioner or an electric oven)

But with such a scheme, there may be many connections on one wiring line.

It is not safe to make overhead connections and hide them in the wall.

At a minimum, this does not make it possible to disable a faulty branch while leaving the rest of the circuit operational.

For normal distribution of lines, there are distribution boxes.

They are an insulated container, inside which switching (permanent) of electrical wiring lines occurs.

The connection of wires in a junction box can be done in various ways, the main thing is to ensure reliable insulation between phases and a contact that can withstand the load.

The wiring diagram in the junction box allows you to save money when purchasing electrical cables, as well as avoid uncontrolled interweaving of wires in the walls. The so-called radial wires diverge from the shield with protective circuit breakers. On each of them there are connecting nodes: those same distribution boxes.

Important: The wire cross-section may be the same or different. The main condition: the power of the main cable cannot be lower than the power of the final wiring to the consumer (socket, light fixture).

In addition, there are certain methods and rules for connecting wires in a junction box. Let's talk about this in more detail.

General rules for switching electrical cables in distribution boxes

Of course, all requirements for energy supply are set out in the PUE.

This is an electrician's reference book. Moreover, there are fines for violating the Electrical Installation Rules. However, in practice, all these strictures apply only to institutions and organizations.

In private households, responsibility ends with the wire coming out of the meter (electricity meter). The rest is up to the homeowner.

To prevent an incorrect connection from leading to a fire or electric shock, you must follow simple rules:

• The connection of wires in the junction box is made during a complete power outage. Even if the electrician is wearing dielectric gloves and is familiar with safety rules, accidental contact of the phase wire with structural elements of the building or grounding is possible.
• The type of connection must be the same for each line within the same box. This will protect your line from loosening under load.
• Physical contact of conductors made of different materials (copper with aluminum) is not allowed. When electric current flows, active electrocorrosion occurs. Metals are coated with an oxide film, which impairs contact. The result is sparking, overheating, and complete burnout of the contact connection. If such a need arises, it is necessary to tin the wires using solder. After twisting, the connection must be soldered for at least 50% of the length. The rest of the strand will not corrode because no current flows through it under load.
• It is necessary to exclude the possibility of exposed conductors leaving the box. Even if the cable is completely laid in the wall.
• When connecting without contact devices, that is, using soldering, twisting or welding, an insulating cap must be placed on the exposed conductor. The insulator must be firmly fixed; non-combustible materials are used in its manufacture.
• The ends of the wires inside the box must have at least a 200% margin along the length of the connecting ends. In the event of a break or burnout, it will be possible to re-install without laying a new wire.

In addition, inexperienced electricians often make mistakes and break off wires when stripping the insulation. If the wire is inserted into the box under tension, reconnection will be impossible.

Methods for connecting conductors in a box

There is no single possible method. When choosing a way to connect wires in a junction box, an electrician weighs all factors: from the cost of materials to the expected load.

• Terminals. There is an opinion that this method is the most reliable, but this is a false statement. Most often, terminals are used on boxes with ready-made contact pads.

This connection of wires in the box allows you to disconnect one of the lines at any time (for example, for repairs) without causing damage to the entire power system.

There are two ways to connect, directly to the block (by making a ring from a wire core), or using a terminal.

With the ring everything is simple, you just need to ensure that the wire is laid in such a way that when tightening the threaded connection, the contact does not loosen.

But with terminals everything is more complicated.

It is irrational to crimp a single-core wire: you can mechanically damage the conductor, and the core will break off at any moment.

And when laid in a box, a single-core cable with terminals takes up a lot of space, and it is difficult to separate different phases at a sufficient distance.

An excellent result is obtained when crimping a multi-core soft cable; the contact terminal fits comfortably. But stationary installation of multi-core cable is nonsense.

Bottom line: Terminal blocks in the distribution box are convenient, but it is better to make the connection directly to the conductor under the screw, without using crimp terminals.

There are modern boxes with quick-installation contact blocks. This solution is really convenient, but is designed for light load.

Thus, the use of contact blocks is justified only if it is necessary to periodically disconnect one of the lines. And even then, sooner or later the conductor will break off.

• For standard wiring in an apartment (or household), the classics are still more suitable:

Welding wires in a junction box has been used since time immemorial. Anyone who repaired their Khrushchev or Brezhnev cars probably noticed a drop of solidified melt at the end of the aluminum strands in the boxes.

Today, the use of aluminum wiring is prohibited by the PUE, and the welding connection method is still popular.

The point is this: after carefully twisting the stripped wires, the contact of the welding machine is briefly applied to the end point.

Usually this is a compact device of low power. It is used by almost all professional electricians. Works on the principle of a spot welding spotter.

It will not be possible to light an arc, but the metal at the point of application melts properly. The figure shows the simplest circuit that can be assembled at home.

The connection quality is more than sufficient.

In addition to the total twist length (40–50 mm), the ball at the end forms a point with minimal resistance.

An additional plus is that this twist will not unwind even when moving the wires inside the box.

If a welding machine is not available, we limit ourselves to ordinary twisting.

Of course, we make the connection not with our fingers, but with the help of pliers.

Twisting is done after the wires are finally secured in the box. If the cable moves, the connection may become weak. The result is sparking, overheating, and contact breakage. It will be good if there is no fire.

• As an option, after twisting, the wires are soldered in the junction box.

Important! There is a widespread opinion among amateurs: under load, the twist will heat up and the solder will melt.

Firstly: a load capable of heating a conductor to the melting temperature of solder is unrealistic at home. Of course, provided that the circuit breakers are in working order.

Secondly: heating during twisting occurs due to loose contact, and this can be solved by soldering.

The reliability is not much worse than with welding. In this case, there is no need to purchase (do it yourself) a welding machine, a fairly powerful soldering iron, or even a hair dryer.

Tip: Use the most powerful soldering tool possible. It is better to expose the contacts to high temperatures for a short time than to heat the contacts slowly and for a long time with a weak heater.

During heating, monitor the condition of the insulation. If it starts to melt, take a break until it cools completely. Immediately after soldering, do not move the wire; allow both the solder and the insulation to cool.

Use refractory solders; these alloys have higher strength characteristics.

• Crimping. From the point of view of electrical conductivity, the quality of contact is no better than that of conventional twisting. But the strength of the connection increases significantly. If it is not possible to weld or solder the twist, crimp it using a special sleeve.

You can get by with pliers, but a special tool is still more reliable.

There are bushings for parallel splicing of wires, and there are for fixing twists. There is no fundamental difference.

If there are two or three conductors, parallel crimping is suitable. For larger quantities - crimping after twisting.

In fact, the methods discussed above are a modernization of the good old twisting. You should not be skeptical about the issue.

Due to poor contact in the junction box, many fires occurred and damage to household appliances was caused.

Therefore, when repairing electrical wiring in your home, use technical means to improve contact in the twist to the maximum.

Modern methods of connecting wiring in a box

The so-called quick fix pads. These products are widely offered in online stores and building materials markets.

Indeed, such devices make installation quick and convenient. The appearance of the connection is also pleasant. Therefore, such “electric clips” are loved by electricians who perform custom work.

However, this method has serious drawbacks. Let's make a reservation right away: the manufacturer does not promise high connection power: the characteristics are on the case.

For an LED lamp, connecting a computer or TV - just right.

But a refrigerator, electric stove, boiler cannot be connected through such a distribution box.

The contact area in such “quick releases” is small; the pad is connected to the conductor tangentially.

With a light load, the current does not heat the surface too much.

And when a serious consumer is connected, sparking, heating, and burning out of the connection will begin.

Conclusion

With all the variety of ways to connect wires in a box, traditional twisting remains the most reliable. Welding or soldering significantly improves contact.

No serious equipment is required; all work can be completed with basic electrical engineering skills.

on this topic

Source: https://steelfactoryrus.com/kak-payat-skrutku-mednyh-provodov/

How to properly solder wires with a soldering iron, soldering video - Repair220

Soldering is widely used in the installation of various electrical circuits as a means of ensuring reliable electrical contact between the necessary parts. Wires, electrical components (light bulbs, resistors, capacitors, etc.), various electronic components (transistors, microcircuits, etc.) are subject to soldering. Let's try to figure it out in our article with a video on how to solder correctly.

The power of the soldering iron is selected in accordance with the size of the surfaces to be soldered. Power from 5 to 20 is suitable for soldering microcircuits and components that cannot be heated too much. A soldering iron with a power of up to 40-50 watts can be used for soldering wires, terminals, etc., i.e. for performing the most common electrical work. Soldering irons with a power of more than 50 watts are used to join metal surfaces larger than a few millimeters in size.

Before you start using the new soldering iron, you should prepare it for use. To do this, even before heating it, the soldering iron tip is cleaned to a metallic shine, thereby removing the oxide film from its surface. This must be done for high-quality servicing of the working surface of the tip. For this purpose, the soldering iron is heated, for which it is enough to plug in the electric soldering iron. A non-electric soldering iron is heated over an open flame.

During the heating process, it is necessary to dip the end of the tip into rosin or some other flux, after which you should touch a piece of solder (an alloy of tin and lead). A well-tinned tip has a tip that is evenly coated with solder and has a characteristically shiny, silvery appearance. Soldering should be done with a soldering iron heated to the temperature required for each type of soldering.

When soldering metal parts, it heats up more, and when soldering wires and electrical components, it heats up less.

The process of soldering wires generally includes the following chain of actions:

• prepare the soldered surfaces for soldering (remove the oxide film by mechanical cleaning or treatment with flux - rosin, soldering acid, etc.),
• touch the tip of a preheated soldering iron to rosin and solder so that the required amount is on the tip of the tip;
• Place the surfaces to be soldered against each other and touch this place with the soldering iron tip.

After heating the soldering area for a short time, the solder gets onto these surfaces. After wetting the soldering area with solder, the tip is removed from it and the solder is allowed to cool and harden.

It is important to keep the wire motionless, otherwise the soldering will be unreliable and fragile. To ensure soldering quality, it is recommended to remove any remaining flux from the soldering area.

If you use rosin, this can be done with an alcohol solvent using a brush. This operation will prevent further oxidation of the soldering area.

How to solder microcircuits correctly

Technologically, the process of soldering microcircuits is generally similar to that described above, but has its own characteristics. They are that:

• microcircuits do not allow overheating during the soldering process;
• Contact pads of microcircuits are, as a rule, small in size and their soldering does not allow excess tin in the soldering area.

These features are taken into account by the correct choice and high-quality preparation of the soldering iron. It is recommended to use a tool with a controlled and adjustable tip heating temperature. Correct selection of its value in specific conditions prevents overheating of microcircuits and the formation of intercontact parasitic solder bridges. Such jumpers can be microscopic in size and create unnecessary electrical contacts between the circuits of the mounted device.

We sincerely hope that our article with video helped you learn how to solder correctly.

How to solder copper wires correctly

Source: https://remont220.ru/stati/187-kak-pravilno-payat-payalnikom-provoda-video-payki/

Wire tinning: technology, purpose, tools, options and instructions

During repairs, modernization or installation of electrical wiring, special attention is paid to the quality of the connection of current-carrying conductors. Reliable soldered connections are the key to safe operation of electrical lines and household appliances. To secure the solder well, you must first tin the wires; the essence of the procedure is to coat the surface with tin.

Why Tinning Wires Is So Important

Tinning wires prevents oxidation

Before you tin the wire, you need to find out why this procedure is so necessary. Copper and aluminum, when interacting with oxygen, oxidize, forming an oxide film on their surface, which impairs conductivity and increases resistance. Tinning the wires avoids this. Wires are tinned with lead-tin solders; their advantage is a long service life, safety and reliability.

Tinning is also used during soldering, for example, when connecting LED strips to a power supply. If the wires of the lighting device are not tinned first, over time all the wires will fall off.

Tinning wires with a soldering iron

Tinning wires with a soldering iron

To get the job done efficiently, it is important to confidently use a soldering iron. If there are no established skills, you will not be able to tin and solder the wire.

There are different models of soldering irons, each with its own technical characteristics - power, dimensions, etc. It is recommended for a novice master to give preference to soldering stations where it is possible to regulate the heating temperature independently.

It is advisable to purchase an expensive device, since the process will take less time and the work will be done with joy.

Required Tools

Flux is selected depending on the wire material

Installation, modernization, repair and maintenance of wires is a troublesome task, but not difficult. To reduce the time spent, pre-prepare all the necessary tools and consumables for the job. The list looks like this:

• consumables include solder and flux;
• sharp knife;
• soldering station or soldering iron;
• technical or medical tweezers;
• ordinary pliers.

You can use not a well-sharpened knife, but special pliers that allow you to remove the entire insulating layer with a few movements. But their cost is quite high, so many people use a knife or scalpel.

In each case, a certain solder and flux composition for the cables is required, this must be taken into account.

Procedure

To tin the wire, you need to follow the following algorithm:

1. Using a special tool, a knife or scalpel, remove the insulating layer from the wires that need to be connected.
2. After removing the insulating material, clean the current-carrying conductors until a characteristic shine is formed. To do this, you can use a knife or sandpaper. If the work is to be done not with a cast core, but with a stranded wire, each wire is fluffed up and stripped separately.
3. The soldering iron is plugged into the outlet and cleaned of all the contaminants that it likes to collect, especially old solder and dust. When cleaning the soldering iron wire, it is recommended to use light sandpaper.
4. The tip of the wire needs to be heated. This can be done using a soldering iron, a gas torch or a regular lighter.
5. When the soldering iron has warmed up to operating temperature, its core is touched to the solder and rosin. The working surface should be generously covered with melted tin.
6. The next step is to touch the copper conductor with a hot soldering iron. The solder should be evenly distributed throughout the core. To apply solder, pliers and tweezers are used.
7. At the end of the work, the cable or wire is carefully inspected. The working surface must be completely and evenly covered with solder. There should be no empty cavities or accumulations of substance. If shortcomings are found in the work, the procedure is repeated.

If you have to work with very thin wires, it is better not to use rosin, since it is very difficult to calculate the exact amount of the substance. Soldering acid is suitable as an analogue. You can treat the tip of the conductor with an ordinary brush. After this, you can begin applying solder. This method cannot be called more reliable, but with these types of wiring it is impossible to do otherwise.

Wire processing methods

Tinning with a wooden block

There are several methods of tinning. Some craftsmen prefer a method, the essence of which is to press the wires with a soldering iron to a flat wooden surface.

When heated, wood releases gases that act as flux, helping to remove oxides from the metal.

It is possible to remove the oxide film on the surface of conductive wires more efficiently using aspirin. During operation, the tablet is placed under the wires. When heated, acetylsalicylic acid releases gases that envelop the joint, displacing impurities that negatively affect the quality of the joint. This simple and inexpensive method provides high-quality tinning.

There is another way to prepare multi-core cables and wires in which the copper base is coated with enamel. It is preferable to use a small piece of PVC material as a substrate. When exposed to heat, polyvinyl chloride begins to actively release hydrogen chloride, which effectively destroys the oxide layer.