Doz' Blog: "Solder creep" and an unpleasant smell...

Friday, 4 November 2016

"Solder creep" and an unpleasant smell...

Just been sat in the workshop doing a few little jobs, and there's a funny small of something getting too warm. I've noticed it on and off for a couple of days, thought it was the wood burning stove in the other room yesterday, but tonight, it's definitely coming from round the computer area.... immediate investigation required.

After a couple of mins I found it.

There's an extension block connected to the output from a UPS. It's warm. Damn warm....

Further investigation shows the neutral has been overheating. I've disconnected it here. The wire has been soldered! Never, ever solder a mains cable (or any stranded cable for that matter) before fitting it into a screw type fitting. The solder "creeps" up the cable, and leaves a resistive loose connection behind.

This lead was carrying less than 500W ... so nowhere near maximum load.

I wonder how many more of this brand I have?

Not many I hope. This one's for the bin...

2 comments:

Anonymous7 November 2016 at 08:32
Odd how often this happens on the neutral connection.

But, as you say, never ever tin a stranded wire that's going into that sort of screw terminal.

ReplyDelete
Replies
Doz7 November 2016 at 20:45
It is odd how it's more often the neutral....

Also odd how double pole mains switches also fail open on the neutral side more often.

Strange!

ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Disclaimer.

Many pages on this blog describe working with high voltages, and vintage equipment. Sadly in this day of litigation, and common sense being absent, I must publish a disclaimer.

WARNING. Do NOT try these things at home. Most of the equipment I deal with in these pages uses high voltage, it will floor you or kill you if you come into contact with it. It will not warn you, blow a fuse, nor pull your safety trip. It may not give you a second chance. RESPECT IT'S AUTHORITY.

Many pages describe working with mains, or dealing with mains powered equipment which may have exposed mains connections inside the enclosure. Pull the plug and isolate before removing covers! Some equipment, in particular valve (tube) amplifiers, television sets and switched mode power supplies, can store high voltages for a considerable period of time after the power has been removed, especially if a fault condition exists. Always check and safely discharge capacitors. Safety is paramount.

There is risk of exposure to chemicals and physical debris. Precautions I take include, but are not limited to, use of rubber gloves, fume extraction and safety glasses.

All material on these pages is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. I will not, under any circumstances, accept liability should you injure, or kill yourself repeating any of the content of this website.

Always seek professional advice if in ANY doubt.

By entering and using this website, you agree to the above disclaimer. Play safely. I need all the readers I can get ;)

All of the delightful prose, imagery and video are copyright © 2014-2024 by A.G.Doswell unless otherwise stated, and may not be copied, reprinted or used elsewhere without the express written permission of A.G.Doswell. Just ask!

Not a business.

I repeatedly get requests, via messaging etc, asking me to fix their kit for them. This is just a hobby for me. I don't take on repairs on a commercial basis. The idea is to give my readers an insight into what's involved, and enable them to fix their own gear, (within the realms of safety of course), and I'll always help if I can. It's really for my own enjoyment and entertainment. It all started out with a simple website to actually document what I was doing, rather than making copious notes on paper, which I'd been doing since the late 80's. It was a friend that suggested I should make it all public, so I did. I never dreamed anyone else would find it interesting, and yet, I get around 200 people visiting everyday, which astounds me even to this day. So, sadly I can't fix your gear for you. Take it to a local firm. There are still a few TV repair places dotted about, a good few repair cafe's operate up and down the country, and see if you can find a tame radio ham who may share some of their knowledge and experience. There are a few "Makerspaces" dotted around the country, and they may be willing to help. I currently work as an engineer in the broadcast industry, and, until that changes, this will just remain a hobby. Thanks. Doz.

Translate

Friday, 4 November 2016

"Solder creep" and an unpleasant smell...

2 comments:

log