Why tinning copper wire

This removes any oxidation that may have occurred while the iron was heating up. Extend the solder from its spool in a straight line.

If desired, you can clamp the wire in a "third hand" tool or similar heat-resistant holding device. Touch the tip of the solder to the tip of the soldering iron to create a small pool of liquid solder on the iron's tip. This will help conduct heat to the wire. Then, touch the tip of the soldering iron to the bottom side of the wire so the solder pool is in contact with the wire.

Apply the solder to the top side of the wire, opposite the soldering iron's tip. The solder should melt and be drawn in around the wire strands.

Move the solder and soldering iron together along the bare portion of the wire, melting the solder as you go. Let the solder cool, then inspect the results. The solder should create a thin coating all the way around the wire and should not form a glob or heavy bead, which creates electrical resistance.

Usually, the wire strands are visible under the solder. If there is excess solder around the wire, heating it up again will liquefy it so it can be wiped away. If desired, use needle-nose pliers to bend the tinned wire into a candy-cane-shaped hook that easily wraps around the screw terminal on devices such as switches and receptacles. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. In climates where copper has long-term exposure to water, the oxygen will combine with the metal and form copper oxide, weakening the bonds of the metal. It is worse if the wire is in contact with salt water. As more of this oxide forms, it weakens the integrity of the copper making it brittle and crumbly.

Corrosive copper wire is less efficient at moving electricity and can cause safety hazards. Tinned copper wire is particularly useful in wastewater treatment facilities, underground subway systems, and projects exposed to excess oil, gas, or water. Tinned bare copper is frequently used in utility projects in the Northeast and environments exposed to excess sodium-chloride salts seawater.

When considering bare or tinned copper, the environment should be a determining factor in the wire selection process. Thinking ahead and planning for potentially corrosive environments can prevent total replacement jobs in the future.

Always professional, helpful, and I love the extra effort. Always providing quick service or responding to my questions and emails quickly. Instead, learn how you can prevent cable faults during installation. Interlocked armored cables like Feeder MC provide the protection and durability required without the need for electrical conduit, elbows, costly offsets, and conduit couplings.

Blake Flournoy is a writer, reporter, and researcher based out of Baltimore, MD. Working independently and alongside professors at Goucher College, they have produced and taught a number of educational programs and workshops for high school and college students in the Baltimore area, finding new ways to connect students to biology, psychology, and statistics.

They have never seen Seinfeld and are deathly scared of wasps. What Is Tinned Copper Wire? Related Articles Copper Vs. Silver Wire Conductivity. The Disadvantages of Copper Wire. The Effects of Oxidation on Copper. What Is Nichrome Wire Used for? What Are Some Good Conductors? What Is Zinc Alloy? The Advantages of Recycling Copper.

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