Soldering Mains Cables and Joining
Discussion
Hi everyone - possibly a daft question but would rather make sure.
Ive got a couple of Xmas and halloween decorations that I want to put up this year (I know its too early!!)but whilst im cleaning my garage out I thought Id do the task I put off every season, which is actually extending the cables so they reach a socket.
I have experience in soldering audio cables and little leds up etc whilst at college, but ive never soldered a mains cable plug.
firstly is it safe to do so? the original cable is 1.00m2 and has a diameter of roughly 6.5mm and I have purchased the same wire to connect it to, I have also have shrink tubing.
My question is - what kind of 'solder cable' do I need? ie what diameter and thickness (I presume its just the same diameter as the cable?) and is there anything else I should know.
thanks everyone.
Ive got a couple of Xmas and halloween decorations that I want to put up this year (I know its too early!!)but whilst im cleaning my garage out I thought Id do the task I put off every season, which is actually extending the cables so they reach a socket.
I have experience in soldering audio cables and little leds up etc whilst at college, but ive never soldered a mains cable plug.
firstly is it safe to do so? the original cable is 1.00m2 and has a diameter of roughly 6.5mm and I have purchased the same wire to connect it to, I have also have shrink tubing.
My question is - what kind of 'solder cable' do I need? ie what diameter and thickness (I presume its just the same diameter as the cable?) and is there anything else I should know.
thanks everyone.
I wouldn't solder myself, probably best to use something like this
http://www.screwfix.com/p/teetube-ip68-3-pole-in-l...
http://www.screwfix.com/p/teetube-ip68-3-pole-in-l...
Soldering is not a good idea.
You should use something like this:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/chocbox/54936#
gubbabump said:
My question is - what kind of 'solder cable' do I need? ie what diameter and thickness (I presume its just the same diameter as the cable?) and is there anything else I should know.
No offence intended, but if you are asking this question then you should be using a con block for an indoor connection and replacing the entire cable run for an outdoor one.teamHOLDENracing said:
Soldering is not a good idea.
You should use something like this:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/chocbox/54936#
Says who? If done properly it will provide a safer and more permanent connection than using choc blocks. Now the OP doesn't exactly instill me with confidence so it may be better in this instance to use a connecting block. If soldering stagger the joints so they can't arc over and each one should be individually insulated before a final layer of insulation is put over the entire join i.e.You should use something like this:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/chocbox/54936#
L: ---0-----------
N: ------0--------
E: ----------0----
Where 0 is the soldered joint. Heat shrink each individual conductor then put a larger heat shrink sleeve over the whole lot.
Or how about using crimped butt connectors, as described here: http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Cable_cr...
You can get butt connectors with built-in heatshrink.
You can get butt connectors with built-in heatshrink.
Tanguero said:
No offence intended, but if you are asking this question then you should be using a con block for an indoor connection and replacing the entire cable run for an outdoor one.
This. For outdoor use, provided you can get inside of the decs to disconnect the current cable and replace it, and they're not a sealed unit.C0ffin D0dger said:
teamHOLDENracing said:
Soldering is not a good idea.
You should use something like this:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/chocbox/54936#
Says who? You should use something like this:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/chocbox/54936#
Heat shrinking mains cables is very dangerous.
Heat shrink tubing isn't that thick, I have seen examples were a poorly soldered joint has rubbed through the heatshrink and become exposed. Luckily it wasn't mains cable, but the same risk applies.
The block example above is the safest option.
Heat shrink tubing isn't that thick, I have seen examples were a poorly soldered joint has rubbed through the heatshrink and become exposed. Luckily it wasn't mains cable, but the same risk applies.
The block example above is the safest option.
C0ffin D0dger said:
teamHOLDENracing said:
Soldering is not a good idea.
You should use something like this:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/chocbox/54936#
Says who? If done properly it will provide a safer and more permanent connection than using choc blocks. Now the OP doesn't exactly instill me with confidence so it may be better in this instance to use a connecting block. If soldering stagger the joints so they can't arc over and each one should be individually insulated before a final layer of insulation is put over the entire join i.e.You should use something like this:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/chocbox/54936#
L: ---0-----------
N: ------0--------
E: ----------0----
Where 0 is the soldered joint. Heat shrink each individual conductor then put a larger heat shrink sleeve over the whole lot.
I'm not an electrician, but shouldn't you also make provision for strain relief with a soldered joint? And what about the quality of heat shrink - I've had decent stuff and crap stuff and the latter will quickly wear through if the soldered joint has any sharp edges.
Solder also makes cable brittle - they don't use it on aircraft and I don't use it on race cars - good quality crimp connections only...
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
Or how about using crimped butt connectors, as described here: http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Cable_cr...
You can get butt connectors with built-in heatshrink.
Christ! that website is frightening! A DIY advice wiki that any numpty can edit!You can get butt connectors with built-in heatshrink.
To answer the OP, I would not advise soldering a flexible cable as any movement is likely to weaken the joint. You should not be jointing flex with anything other than a proper connector with a suitable enclosure and cord grips.
bigdom said:
Use either crimp connectors or preferably a wago box.
Yes you could, but why do people keep suggesting fixed cable installation solutions when he is extending an 'appliance' flex?He has explained it will be indoors, a picture of a suitable solution has been posted above, similar to those attached to just about every garden mower etc. in the UK!
DrDoofenshmirtz said:
Heat shrinking mains cables is very dangerous.
Heat shrink tubing isn't that thick, I have seen examples were a poorly soldered joint has rubbed through the heatshrink and become exposed. Luckily it wasn't mains cable, but the same risk applies.
The block example above is the safest option.
I heat shrink soldered conductors that are running 440V, it's all in the quality of the heatshrink and the security of the lines. If they chaff like a fat girls thighs running to the cake shop then that is asking for trouble!Heat shrink tubing isn't that thick, I have seen examples were a poorly soldered joint has rubbed through the heatshrink and become exposed. Luckily it wasn't mains cable, but the same risk applies.
The block example above is the safest option.
Scotchloks are the solution
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