Dave Plowman wrote:

In article ,
Arny Krueger wrote:

BTW, a good job of crimping amounts to cold welding with the extra
bonuses of high mechanical strength and inherent disruption of oxide
films or dirt on the connector or the wire. Given my choice, I'd pick a
well-crimped connection over the other two, but I would not worry about
a good job based on the other two methods. Crimping and welding have the
disadvantage of not being as field-repairable as soldering.


The other beauty of crimping is that there is no weakening due to heat
close to the joint - perhaps not that important where the lead is
adequately clamped, though. However, *proper* crimping requires a usually
very expensive special tool, and frequently it is only of use for one
specific connector.


And a lot of elbow grease.

"Dave Plowman" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Arny Krueger wrote:
BTW, a good job of crimping amounts to cold welding with the extra
bonuses of high mechanical strength and inherent disruption of oxide
films or dirt on the connector or the wire. Given my choice, I'd pick a
well-crimped connection over the other two, but I would not worry about
a good job based on the other two methods. Crimping and welding have the
disadvantage of not being as field-repairable as soldering.

The other beauty of crimping is that there is no weakening due to heat
close to the joint - perhaps not that important where the lead is
adequately clamped, though.

I don't understand your reasoning.
Electrical copper is, or should be, in a completely annealed state. Heating
the copper up isn't going to hurt it.

I have found, however, that soldered cable connections frequently break from
strain, even if they are correctly soldered. Connections are frequently
repaired over again, due to inadequate strain relief on the center conductor
that appears in large diameter coaxial cable.

"Robert Morein" wrote in message

"Dave Plowman" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Arny Krueger wrote:
BTW, a good job of crimping amounts to cold welding with the extra
bonuses of high mechanical strength and inherent disruption of oxide
films or dirt on the connector or the wire. Given my choice, I'd
pick a well-crimped connection over the other two, but I would not
worry about a good job based on the other two methods. Crimping and
welding have the disadvantage of not being as field-repairable as
soldering.

The other beauty of crimping is that there is no weakening due to
heat close to the joint - perhaps not that important where the lead
is adequately clamped, though.

I don't understand your reasoning.
Electrical copper is, or should be, in a completely annealed state.
Heating the copper up isn't going to hurt it.

Heating disturbs the wire's plastic insulation, which provides a significant
amount of strength and resistance to sharp bends.

I have found, however, that soldered cable connections frequently
break from strain, even if they are correctly soldered.

A crimped connection typically includes some of the plastic insulation,
which strengthens the connection and helps avoid sharp bending near the
connection.

Connections
are frequently repaired over again, due to inadequate strain relief
on the center conductor that appears in large diameter coaxial cable.

Happens with small coax and non-coaxial cables, as well.

On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 07:01:38 -0500
"Arny Krueger" wrote:


Heating disturbs the wire's plastic insulation, which provides a
significant amount of strength and resistance to sharp bends.

Oh please, the last shred of insulation at the end of the wire provides
near zero additional strength, and besides:

1) The cable itself ought to be clamped before entering the strain
relief.
2) If you're melting the insulation you have either crap wire or no
soldering skill whatsoever.

I have *NEVER EVER* had the actual solder joint or copper wire near it
fail in any of the hundreds of leads I've made over the years. the only
failures I have ever had have been fracturing of the wire *after exiting
the strain relief*, and even then only after a good long service life.
(ok so the occasional one had a dry joint too, no-ones perfect)

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.

"Ian Molton" wrote in message

On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 07:01:38 -0500
"Arny Krueger" wrote:


Heating disturbs the wire's plastic insulation, which provides a
significant amount of strength and resistance to sharp bends.

Oh please, the last shred of insulation at the end of the wire
provides near zero additional strength, and besides:

1) The cable itself ought to be clamped before entering the strain
relief.

Agreed.

2) If you're melting the insulation you have either crap wire or no
soldering skill whatsoever.

Agreed.

I have *NEVER EVER* had the actual solder joint or copper wire near it
fail in any of the hundreds of leads I've made over the years.

I've surely had it happen with soldered leads assembled by others.

the only failures I have ever had have been fracturing of the wire *after
exiting the strain relief*,

I've seen that happen, too.

and even then only after a good long service life. (ok so the occasional
one had a dry joint too, no-ones
perfect)

Work with enough cables long enough and you get to see *everything*.

On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 21:06:23 -0500
"Arny Krueger" wrote:

and even then only after a good long service life. (ok so the occasional
one had a dry joint too, no-ones
perfect)

Work with enough cables long enough and you get to see *everything*.

Yeah but the cable fracturing between the clamp and joint should just never happen unless the clamp has been frigged or the wire yanked out of it.

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with ketchup.

"Ian Molton" wrote in message

On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 21:06:23 -0500
"Arny Krueger" wrote:

and even then only after a good long service life. (ok so the
occasional
one had a dry joint too, no-ones
perfect)

Work with enough cables long enough and you get to see *everything*.

Yeah but the cable fracturing between the clamp and joint should just
never happen unless the clamp has been frigged or the wire yanked out
of it.

I've seen lots of things that "should just never happen", including this. In
fact, I saw it in a relatively new mic cable about a year ago.

"Ian Molton" wrote in message

On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 21:06:23 -0500
"Arny Krueger" wrote:

and even then only after a good long service life. (ok so the
occasional
one had a dry joint too, no-ones
perfect)

Work with enough cables long enough and you get to see *everything*.

Yeah but the cable fracturing between the clamp and joint should just
never happen unless the clamp has been frigged or the wire yanked out
of it.

I've seen lots of things that "should just never happen", including this. In
fact, I saw it in a relatively new mic cable about a year ago.

"Ian Molton" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 21:06:23 -0500
"Arny Krueger" wrote:

and even then only after a good long service life. (ok so the
occasional
one had a dry joint too, no-ones
perfect)

Work with enough cables long enough and you get to see *everything*.

Yeah but the cable fracturing between the clamp and joint should just
never happen unless the clamp has been frigged or the wire yanked out of it.

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.


With heavier Teflon coated conductors of 12 gauge & thicker this can occur
if the user severely bends the cable close to the plug. Some clamps are
quite ineffective in this respect.

Mike

"Ian Molton" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 21:06:23 -0500
"Arny Krueger" wrote:

and even then only after a good long service life. (ok so the
occasional
one had a dry joint too, no-ones
perfect)

Work with enough cables long enough and you get to see *everything*.

Yeah but the cable fracturing between the clamp and joint should just
never happen unless the clamp has been frigged or the wire yanked out of it.

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.


With heavier Teflon coated conductors of 12 gauge & thicker this can occur
if the user severely bends the cable close to the plug. Some clamps are
quite ineffective in this respect.

Mike