Malfunctions in a household network, according to statistics, most often occur due to poor electrical contact, when it is broken where it should be or accidentally created in the most unexpected place.
For home wiring to work for a long time and reliably, it is necessary to clearly understand how to connect wires correctly when performing electrical work.
Next, I invite you to analyze 8 different methods that have stood the test of time. They all have some disadvantages and positive aspects. Make the right choice for yourself.
Let us immediately take into account that the current-carrying cores of wires and cables for household wiring can be made of different metals, for example, copper or aluminium. They are made with one monolithic wire or woven from a large number of thin wires of different diameters.
What is wire twisting and why is it dangerous?
Several decades ago, when the load on electrical wiring was not so great, such a connection was popular. Moreover, experienced craftsmen taught me, then a young electrician, to first thoroughly strip the metal cores, twist them tightly, and crimp them with pliers.
How to twist with soldering to create reliable electrical contact: 3 ways
When soldering, reliable electrical contact is created due to the penetration of molten solder into all voids. Between the turns of the twist and the solder, a strong bond of mutual diffusion of both metals is created.
Soldering provides a guaranteed durable electrical contact with good conductivity. It requires adherence to certain technology and high-quality training.
It is necessary to remove the insulation from the wires, clean the metal cores from oxides, and impregnate it with flux. It will remove all organic contaminants from the prepared surface.
Acidic fluxes, such as a solution of zinc in sulfuric acid or aspirin, are difficult to remove from the surface of soldered parts. Over time, the remaining droplets enter into a chemical reaction with the metal of the veins and disrupt their conductivity.
Rosin is used for soldering electrical circuits. It can be dissolved in ethyl alcohol and applied with a brush to the wires to be connected.
When soldering twists, it is convenient to keep the prepared flux solution in a small bottle and simply dip the stripped and twisted wires into it one by one. This way you can work at heights.
How to weld twisted wires: what is important to consider
This method is based on creating local heating of the end of the twist to the temperature of the metal melt, followed by its solidification in the form of a contact ball.
The work can be done with a homemade step-down transformer with a voltage of about 24 volts and a power of 1 kilowatt.
However, it is better to use an inverter that produces direct current. To create an arc, a carbon electrode is used, which touches the welding site. It can be replaced with graphite.
The second contact of the circuit is formed by crimping the opposite part of the twist with pliers near the insulation. Their wide jaws serve as a cooling radiator, removing heat from the dielectric layer, and protecting it from overheating and damage.
What to pay attention to
The vertical arrangement of the twist during welding allows the melt to better fill the space between the copper wires, giving the drop of metal the shape of a sphere. You must work in protective gloves, use a welder’s mask to protect your eyes, and special shoes. You can easily “catch bunnies” or “catch” a drop of molten metal on clothes or shoes.
After welding one joint, it is better to wait a short time and let it cool, and then move on to processing the next one. This recommendation will prevent accidental burns.
After welding, the exposed conductors are insulated, put on a heat-shrinkable tube, and treated with an industrial hair dryer.
Terminal blocks and terminal blocks: how to distinguish between durable and unreliable structures
Most often, terminal blocks are used in lighting circuits with relatively small loads. They are made from different materials and different shapes.
The plastic-covered housing has holes for installing stripped wires and a slot for the head of the clamping screw.
All simple terminal blocks are made of cheap transparent polyethene with inserts of thin brass sockets with screw terminals, as shown at the very top of the picture.
Their disadvantages:
- thin-walled brass easily bursts when the metal core is normally clamped with a screw;
- weak threads on the nut cannot withstand the load when tightening the wire;
- the lower edge of the screw is made with sharp edges, which greatly deform the wire, even when crimped into NShVI lugs.
Working with such structures is difficult. They are not reliable, break, and create excessive heating of the wiring. After connecting each wire to the screw connection, it is necessary to check the quality of the connection: take the terminal block in one hand and the wire in the other. A sharp pull should not destroy the contact created.
Higher-quality terminal blocks are made of durable, smooth plastic with thick metal tubes and clamping plates that do not crush the metal cores. They have strong screws and nuts.
With their help, it is convenient to connect wires made of different metals, for example, connecting aluminium apartment wiring to flexible copper conductors of an LED chandelier or lamp. But you shouldn’t neglect NShVI tips.
Previously, terminals with a screw clamp under a ring were common, which ensured tighter contact between the core and the terminal. When installing, pay attention to the correct installation in the direction of tightening the screw.
