Landing stranded wire on screw terminals

[iwire]

I am going to be honest here and tell you straight out many of you would not be happy with how many of my stranded wire connections look. Yet they work fine carrying full loads.

I think we tend to get far to caught up in theses tricks to make a good electrical connection when all you really need to do is make it mechanically secure. A few messy strands sticking out does not mean the electrical connection is poor. Electricity has no eyes to be offended by it.

If it really bothers the installer I recommend specifying back wire pressure plate devices.

 

[macmikeman]

The trick to tinning the ends of stranded is to not let any part tinned get under the screw. Strip an inch, and tin the first half inch of it. Put the untinned other half inch around the screw and use needle nose pliers to squeeze and hold it till the screw is tightened. (of course being this is the professional forum that it is, I know I don't need to mention using a tork screwdriver here because of course everyone here tightens all screw terminals using one ... right? ...) :ashamed1:

 

[mivey]

A few messy strands sticking out does not mean the electrical connection is poor.
...
If it really bothers the installer I recommend specifying back wire pressure plate devices.

Yep & yep.

 

[mivey]

That's fine until the insulation comes off and leaves a 1/2 inch or so of bare conductor sticking out.

I have seen some tails with a small brass crimp on the ends to keep the strands together.

 

[mivey]

Put the untinned other half inch around the screw and use needle nose pliers to squeeze and hold it till the screw is tightened.

I do something similar with un-tinned in that I tighten the native twist with a turn of the wrist as I wrap around the screw and hold the end under the screw head with my thumb or finger until tightened. Besides the occasional stabbing it works just fine.

 

[iwire]

Besides the occasional stabbing it works just fine.

Those little strands can hurt a lot. :rant:

 

[mivey]

Those little strands can hurt a lot. :rant:

I ignore the strands for the most part. I was talking about when my screwdriver slips.

 

[qcroanoke]

Nevermind.

 

[Smart $]

We are guys. We hate the easy answer.

Know the difference between mashed potatoes and pea green soup?
Anybody can mash potatoes.

It is actually easier to mash peas into pea soup than it is to mash potatoes into mashed potatoes.

 

[jumper]

offended by it.

If it really bothers the installer I recommend specifying back wire pressure plate devices.

Yep & yep.

I get no respect............

Why not use a back wired pressure plate receptacle? Easiest solution if you struggle with stranded wire.

 

[iwire]

I get no respect............

It was an awesome suggestion.

 

[jumper]

It was an awesome suggestion.

Thank you, personally I am am a CCW twister and have no problem terminating, but I use far more stranded than solid so I am used to it.

 

[iwire]

Thank you, personally I am am a CCW twister and have no problem terminating, but I use far more stranded than solid so I am used to it.

About 50/50 for me and I have tried the CCW method as suggested on these forums but I just do not see that much of a difference.

 

[jumper]

About 50/50 for me and I have tried the CCW method as suggested on these forums but I just do not see that much of a difference.

There is probably not one in reality (everyday work), but it works for me, or or least keeps QA (quality assurance) inspectors happy.

 

[ggunn]

It is actually easier to mash peas into pea soup than it is to mash potatoes into mashed potatoes.

Did ya' miss the pun?

 

[jumper]

Did ya' miss the pun?

I did.:?

 

[mivey]

I get no respect............

Sorry Iwire but I am going to have to debit you one yep and award it to jumper. So let it be written, so let it be done.

 

[mivey]

About 50/50 for me and I have tried the CCW method as suggested on these forums but I just do not see that much of a difference.

The CCW method is a time-eater.

 

[iwire]

Sorry Iwire but I am going to have to debit you one yep and award it to jumper. So let it be written, so let it be done.

Crushed

 

[meternerd]

What's wrong with spade lugs? In the nuclear industry, we were never allowed to use stranded wire without lugs. Safety and reliability is a BIG deal! Takes little time and works great. All I use when terminating strands under a screw. All my experience is utility or industrial, though.