[Amps] AC wiring

Tony King - W4ZT amps080605 at w4zt.com
Thu Oct 20 10:11:06 EDT 2005


I wonder if we could clarify this question?

Solder in protection grounding circuits is a no no because the thermal
heating of a lightning strike will likely cause the joint to open and
that's why the recommendation for exothermic welds (especially to ground
rods) but soldering was always approved for current carrying circuits
since it makes for a superior electrical connection. I subscribe to the
twisting, soldering and then applying the wire nut method with the
addition of a few turns of Scotch 33 to keep that nut from turning.
Solder is always better than a simple twisted wire connection so that is
why I wondered if it really is a violation (not allowed) or just "not
required". Is there a specific code section that prohibits soldering in
current carrying wires?

Thanks and 73, Tony W4ZT

Gudguyham at aol.com wrote:
>  
> In a message dated 10/20/2005 8:23:04 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
> francis.carcia at hs.utc.com writes:
> 
> Does the  NEC permit connecting Cu wires with Ag-Sn  solder?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> NO.....soldering is not allowed.  exothermic welding is, but truely, a  good 
> marrying of the wires and a wire nut is a very good connection.  DON'T  solder 
> them, if anything goes wrong, it is a  violation.




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