[TowerTalk] Best Way To Clean Copper Ground Wire for Erico Cadweld Connection?

[jimlux]

On 7/17/20 9:35 PM, WA7NE wrote:
> I'm installing a number of ground rods to be connected by 2 awg stranded
> copper wire.   I plan to use Erico's OneShot for making the connections.
> My 2 awg stranded copper wire is a bit tarnished so I'm inquiring about the
> best way to clean it for Cadwelding.

I would think that if you remove the surface dirt, the thermite in the 
cadweld mix will burn off anything else. Copper oxidation will certainly 
go away (the thermite is a mixture of aluminum powder and copper oxide, 
after all).

> 
>   
> 
> Is something like Brasso or Noxon followed by a wire brushing sufficient or
> is there a better way?  I know there should be no contaminants left on the
> wire.

I wouldn't use a brass polish - it might leave a waxy film or something.

I've just made it reasonably clean and didn't do anything special - 
you're not soldering it with flux, etc.


> 
>   
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Wayne / WA7NE
> 
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