What is the best way to connect some solid copper 6 gauge wire to some copper buss bars? I am looking for the best attachement method. IR lowest resistance. most solid connection etc.
How do that connect wires in big transformers?
Zc
How do that connect wires in big transformers?
Zc
Guess i am going to have to fabricate some sort of clamping mechanism or find some really big crimp on lugs and the tool to crimp them.
Zc
Zc
So a ground lug is the best, lowest resistance, way to connect a 6ga wire to a copper buss bar?
Seems so archaic.
Zc
Seems so archaic.
Zc
The advantage of mechanical clamping is that if the wire is overloaded and heats up, solder joints won't melt. You could also drop into an automotive store and pick up some battery cable ring terminators. When I have to do work like that, I usually go to my neighborhood West Marine. They'll tag you an extra buck for the terminator but they have a swaging machine for the crimp connection. You can't do 6 Ga. very well in a set of channel lock pliers.
After the mechanical swage, I'll usually throw a torch on the connector and fill with solder... but never just solder for the reason mentioned above.
After the mechanical swage, I'll usually throw a torch on the connector and fill with solder... but never just solder for the reason mentioned above.
People underestimate how easily wires desolder themselves.....
wanna clean the solder off some component leads? Just keep em over a lighter flame for a few seconds and tap em against the counter, then wipe them off...
wanna clean the solder off some component leads? Just keep em over a lighter flame for a few seconds and tap em against the counter, then wipe them off...
Oh i would have never suggested soldering alone. Yes i have seen weak mechanical connections that have been soldered heat up and melt the solder out!
I just wanst sure if there was some better means that i was un aware of, or a particular brand of crimp that is best for solid wire etc.
I once saw some cables that had been compressed and RF welded to a crimp lug. now that was cool. bet that equipment is expensive!
Zc
I just wanst sure if there was some better means that i was un aware of, or a particular brand of crimp that is best for solid wire etc.
I once saw some cables that had been compressed and RF welded to a crimp lug. now that was cool. bet that equipment is expensive!
Zc
Perhaps you could share the application. What is the size of the bar that you will be attaching to?
I think old polititicans would make real good bussbar connectors...
"here!, hold this, and this!"
"here!, hold this, and this!"
what size is 6awg?
Panduit (RonE's link) shows only 14 to 10awg but does specify stranded or solid.
A crimped connection will deform the solid wire inside the terminal and thus prevent accidental extraction.
A deep crimp near the terminal fixing and a less deep crimp towards the cable end lessens the possibility of fracturing/fatiguing the solid wire as it exits the terminal.
I would go along with crimped and subsequent solder flood.
Panduit (RonE's link) shows only 14 to 10awg but does specify stranded or solid.
A crimped connection will deform the solid wire inside the terminal and thus prevent accidental extraction.
A deep crimp near the terminal fixing and a less deep crimp towards the cable end lessens the possibility of fracturing/fatiguing the solid wire as it exits the terminal.
I would go along with crimped and subsequent solder flood.
My advice?
Just heat the two and fuse them together, or use jewler's silver solder (which is, in fact, mostly silver.) "Hard" jewler's solder is over 90% silver and melts at a temperature only slightly lower than copper.
You'll want a very hot torch for this - I reccomend oxy-acetylene, though even a butane pencil-torch may be enough if you're careful.
Just heat the two and fuse them together, or use jewler's silver solder (which is, in fact, mostly silver.) "Hard" jewler's solder is over 90% silver and melts at a temperature only slightly lower than copper.
You'll want a very hot torch for this - I reccomend oxy-acetylene, though even a butane pencil-torch may be enough if you're careful.
I have some big gold crimp on connectors that should be good for 5 or maybe even 4 ga. You could crimp with a hammer and punch - then solder.
Want some?
Want some?
If you are in a pinch, bend a loop on the end of the wire and fasten it down with a screw or bolt with a friction washer?
6 AWG? I'd probably purchase some small lugs like chipco3434 shows as they are used primarily with solid conductors. They come in all sizes these days.
Cheers,
Shawn.
6 AWG? I'd probably purchase some small lugs like chipco3434 shows as they are used primarily with solid conductors. They come in all sizes these days.
Cheers,
Shawn.
A quick note on jewler's solder:
Jewler's solder melts at nearly triple the temperatur eof standard tin-lead solder - the copper is likely to melt before the solder will.
Jewler's solder melts at nearly triple the temperatur eof standard tin-lead solder - the copper is likely to melt before the solder will.
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