Solidering #6 Wires Together

Soldering is legal, but the joint cannot depend on it. If you want to solder wires before clamping them together it is fine, as long as the clamp would be adequate without the solder. Presumably it is in a box, no?

Generally for #6 you use split bolts and tape well. I assume this was stranded, because I can not see how solid could be soldered. I also hope this is in a box. If stranded, I suppose it could be soldered and taped, but I would not do it. Split bolts are the way to go, although I am thinking that the largest wirenuts available *might* work. I can only recall one time that I had to splice #6, and I used split bolts and in a deep 4" box. This was only because the run was

Mark

You should talk! The Canadians are making up their own constitution as they go along. The courts have officially taken over the legislative power without a change in the constitution to do so! We are following behind you as OUR legislative branch is too inept and cowardly to do anything about it. We even elected a senator who is disqualified for ANY state or federal elected position. But it doesn't matter much, he is almost never in congress anyway.

Inasmuch as nascent Israleis were the originators of nukes (Einstein thru Teller), you've got it pretty much backwards.

Besides, we need Israel to protect us. Please note Israel can field 18 divisions of infantry and armor (deployed in combat, on three fronts, in 72 hours). The authorized strength of the US Army is ten divisions, the Marine Corps, two divisions. Israel's ground force is 50% larger than that of the United States.

Just my opinion:

I *might* solder (braze would be a more accurate term) a large grounded wire to splice it, but I would use high silver content (like 40% Ag) silver solder. Even if the joint were to heat up, it will not melt the silver solder and open the connection like it might with lead/tin solder. I would not use soft solder -- if I had a good enough mechanical connection to trust soft solder, it wouldn't need the solder.

Bob

Asshole.

No place for politics here.

Can"t for the life of me understand why anyone would go to the trouble of soldering.

Section 110-14 (b) in the 1999 NEC. Says soldering is permissible as long as the wire was twisted together so it is mechanically sound before the solder.

I had to connect two solid #12 wires to stranded #8. I expect a wire nut would hold it all together, but it just didn't inspire confidence; so I soldered it all before putting the the wire nut on. Couldn't possibly come apart now.

Pure bullshit, on all counts.

This is Turtle.

No it is in mid air in a closet !

No Clamp !

Just twisted , solidered together , and wrapped with electric tape.

It was done by a local country boy Sparkey with NO licences and told him solidering it was just fine.

TURTLE

This is Turtle.

i was looking for a NEC spec that would cut it for a bunch of fires in this area has been started by solidering wires. About a year ago a fire burn the living room of a house pretty bad because of a solidered wires going to a window unit and on to a 220 volt plug in. The Local inspection here will cut it out but the other parts of the country will [ i guess ] use it.

TURTLE

This is Turtle.

i don't trust soft solider for any electricial connection over 10 amps.

TURTLE

Personally, I'd contact the local inspectors. That's just plain dangerous. I dont like causing people trouble with the law, but in this case its for their own good,

Personally, I'd just fix it. The inspector is going to insist it be fixed anyway so why involve him?

I completely agree, but the OP said it's not his own home and the homeowner DIY and feels he did the right thing. I'd at least tell the homeowner that the inspectors are going to find it eventyually and that it's not safe. If the connections were in a box, I'd feel much better about it.

If it were mine, I'd replace the wire with one full piece, or else place the joints into a box and use split bolts and tape. Just do whichever costs the least. Three split bolts, a box, and tape are already over $20. I have not bought #6 cable in awhile, but I guess around $1.50 a foot. A 20 foot run would cost $30 and save lots of work. Those shorter peices can still be used for other jobs. (or sold on ebay)

With stranded wire, solder creates a discontinuity in the flexibility of the wire - it's stiff where the solder has wicked, and flexible beyond that point. So, it's a potential failure, unless there's strain relief behind the joint.

George