I'm getting some expert help here. It's not rodents:
Thank you so very much, Dave. This is exactly what I needed. I'm going to rewire this critter. I'm trying to find bulk spools of different jacket colors and I keep getting copper clad aluminum spools. Are there any hints for 16ga copper spools of and assortment of jacket colors? I keep striking out.
My experience in keeping old vehicles going is that spending a bit more on the basic wire provides much greater long term reliability.
I will use one example..... the flat wiring harness used for trailer lights on trailers sized to be pulled by cars and pickups.
I make every connection using soldered joints. A few years later a lamp gets broken and I need to solder in a new fixture.
Stripping back the flat harness plastic insulation reveals heavily oxidized copper wire. To get solder to stick to this wire requires lots of sanding to get the strands in a condition to be soldered.
Oxygen from the air we breather is diffusing through the plastic insulation oxidizing the copper wire.
Wire made for marine uses is tinned. The copper strands are coated with a solder like material preventing the copper from oxidizing.
Why Use Tinned Copper Wire?
Written June 2019 |
Tony Holderby, Regional Sales Manager at Service Wire Company
The sole purpose of electrical wire and cable is to conduct an electric current from one point to another, but if the cable starts to corrode, it can quickly become damaged and result in loss of performance. While bare copper is fairly resistant to corrosion, tinned copper conductors prevent accelerated corrosion against wet and contaminated environments
.
Protection Against Copper Corrosion
Tinned copper is primarily used for protection against oxidation and corrosion. In climates where copper has long-term exposure to water, the oxygen will combine with the metal and form copper oxide, weakening the bonds of the metal. It is worse if the wire is in contact with salt water. As more of this oxide forms, it weakens the integrity of the copper making it brittle and crumbly, a process known as corrosion. Corrosive copper wire is less efficient at moving electricity and can cause safety hazards.
By coating bare copper with a thin layer of tin, it can strengthen the copper’s natural properties, giving it extra protection against water, weather, and exposure to other corrosive elements while maintaining the same conductivity. Tinned copper wire is also easier to solder to connections as tin is a key element in soldering, ensuring all parts of the wire are protected against corrosion.
Tinned Copper Applications
Tinned copper wire is particularly useful in wastewater treatment facilities, underground subway systems, and projects exposed to excess oil, gas, or water. Tinned bare copper is frequently used in utility projects in the Northeast and environments exposed to excess sodium-chloride salts
(seawater).
When considering bare or tinned copper, the environment should be a determining factor in the wire selection process. Tinned copper can extend the life of your cable, but it isn’t easily retrofitted in all projects. Thinking ahead and planning for potentially corrosive environments can prevent total replacement jobs in the future.
Amazon is a reliable source for high quality marine grade wire.
Finding wires with the jackets in the many colors and stripped patterns you would like will not be possible when buying in the quantities you need.
Amazon
Dave
www.manualslib.com
