A solder is used to encapsulate a joint, prevent its oxidation, and provide minor mechanical support for a connection. It is not used to make electrical contact; rather it is used to hold two or more conductors in electrical contact with each other. When you get on with the process of soldering wires, make sure you take the necessary precautions to avoid any mishap. This article comes up with some helpful tips on how to soldier wires. Read on to know the right accessories required for soldering as well as the method to use each one of them.
Wire Soldering Technique
- Drafting Tapes
- 10x Magnifying Glasses
- Isopropyl Alcohols
- Wire Brushes
- Allen Wrenches
- Electrical Testers
- Needle-nose Pliers
- Rosin-core Solder
- Soldering Guns/Irons
- Clean the area of the wire that you will solder. Scrape the wire down till the bare metal is evident. Now, wipe the wire clean, making use of alcohol or acetone.
- For electronic applications, it is advisable to use rosin core solder, which comes in coils.
- You will first have to tin the soldering tip (tin here, means coating with solder). When the soldering iron is cold, coat one or two inches of solder around the tip. Now, allow the solder to melt, by setting the iron to the temperature range of the solder.
- Clean the tip of the solder using a sponge.
- Now, adjust the temperature of the soldering tool to the minimum that is required to melt the type of solder being used.
- Use the drafting tape to cover any part of your work that the solder may damage.
- Now, tin the objects that you have to join together by holding the tip of the soldering unit at a slight angle with the line of the chisel point, corresponding to the side of work.
- Then, join the wire elements that you have to solder. Temporarily, the wires may be curled together.
- Using the soldering iron tip, heat the joint of the wires.
- Position the rosin core solder, so as to make it touch the opposite side of the joint. Take care to avoid over-application of solder.
- Before you lift the solder iron, lift the end of the solder coil. The solder joint should come out clean, shiny and leveled.
- Leave the joint to cool down. Use a volt-ohm meter to check continuity.
- Keep checking the soldering tip with a sponge between every application.
- Take care not to damage the soldering iron by knocking it against a solid object, for the purpose of clearing the tip.
- A soldering tool of high-watt should not be used for small joint work, as the heat may damage the circuit you are working on.