Working with Wire

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Contributors: Paul Smith, bboyho
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How to Splice Wires

Prepare the wire by stripping the wires ends using a wire stripper. If you are working with stranded wire, try twisting the ends to group the strands together and tinning the tips before soldering.

Striped Wire

Cut a piece of heat shrink to cover the exposed wires. Slide the heat shrink through one of the wires. Make sure to slide the heat shrink away from area where you are splicing.

Adding Heat Shirnk

Face the wire terminals toward each other and touch the exposed ends together.

Touch Exposed Wires Together

Hold the wires together by using tape to hold the wires in place against a soldering mat.

Hold Wires Down Against Soldering Mat

Add solder to the wires. Try not to leave the soldering iron on the wires too long. The insulation can melt away exposing more wire.

Add Solder

Ensure that the underside of the wire is also soldered.

Check the Underside of the Wire

Flip the wire over and spread solder over the wires. If necessary, add flux and solder to cover wires.

Spread Solder on both sides of wire

If you are using heat shrink, slide it over the terminal to insulate the connection. Apply heat to the heat shrink from a soldering iron or a hot air rework station.

Heat Shrink and Soldering Iron  Heat Shrink Tube and Hot Air
Heat from a Soldering Iron Heat from Hot Air Rework Station

When complete, the heat shrink should fit over the exposed wire.

Completed Heat Shrink