Electronics hobbyists and gurus

[Howard]

I have some IDC connectors and I was wondering if I should get either solid or stranded wire for them. It seems like solid has the initial advantage in terms of mechanical stability, since strands might get severed by the blades, but the cuts in solid wire might be the cause of some long-term fracture/fatigue failure.

Anybody with intimate knowledge of IDC connections?

If it matters, the wires will be discrete, not ribbon. I want twisted wires for minimal emission.

 

[edro]

Most are rated for both. You should go by the datasheet to be certain.

As far as which is better?
They both have advantages and disadvantages that you already spoke of.

Most twisted pair is solid though.

 

[DingDingDao]

Highly Technical forum? Probably better answers in there.

 

[Howard]

I didn't think this was HT enough, heh.

I know most are rated for both, but I want to know what the best is. Why wouldn't anybody?

 

[alkemyst]

without knowing what you are using / doing no one will know what's best.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
without knowing what you are using / doing no one will know what's best.

Can you elucidate? Otherwise, it looks just like an attempt to sound smart.

The IDC connector in question is a receptacle that friction fits onto a PCB-mount header, soldered on. The number of positions is irrelevant but I am interested in the 2- and 3-pos versions. I may or may not use the recommended strain relief cover, as it seems that the integral strain relief may be sufficient. One of the parts I am using is this one:

http://search.digikey.com/scri...?Detail&name=A31018-ND

Now, put up or shut up.

edited for clarity

 

[funkymatt]

Is this for a battery terminal connection? Like you said, if it's a part that is going to move around a lot then stranded is going to be better- make sure you use flux and then tin the ends to get the best joint.

 

[Howard]

No, the board(s) that the header will be soldered onto is for some stationary, home-use audio equipment. Once I get all the bugs out, I don't imagine ever having to use the connectors ever again.

You are recommending that I manually tin stranded wire for best results?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: alkemyst
without knowing what you are using / doing no one will know what's best.

Can you elucidate? Otherwise, it looks just like an attempt to sound smart.

How about a fuck you?

you didn't answer the fucking question either, your little plug tells us nothing of what you are doing. you didn't even tell us if you are going to be using AC or DC which can also make a difference for what's BEST. Along with current need and how much room you have to put it in...etc.

Personally if it were a connection to a battery, I'd use stranded. If it's something that may be removed and replaced once in a blue moon, sold core would be easier. However; chances are this is something that you are not mass-producing so time/ease of assembly become lesser worries.

http://www.micro-coax.com/page...fo/applications/28.asp

http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/WireCapacityChart.htm

was that elucid enough for you or am I just trying to sound smart?

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: alkemyst
without knowing what you are using / doing no one will know what's best.

Can you elucidate? Otherwise, it looks just like an attempt to sound smart.

How about a fuck you?

you didn't answer the fucking question either, your little plug tells us nothing of what you are doing. you didn't even tell us if you are going to be using AC or DC which can also make a difference for what's BEST. Along with current need and how much room you have to put it in...etc.

Personally if it were a connection to a battery, I'd use stranded. If it's something that may be removed and replaced once in a blue moon, sold core would be easier. However; chances are this is something that you are not mass-producing so time/ease of assembly become lesser worries.

http://www.micro-coax.com/page...fo/applications/28.asp

http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/WireCapacityChart.htm

was that elucid enough for you or am I just trying to sound smart?

You didn't tell me anything new. What I'm looking for is "x last longer", preferably backed up with "study from xx backs this up."

EDIT: The fuck are those links supposed to do?

 

[PottedMeat]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: alkemyst
without knowing what you are using / doing no one will know what's best.

Can you elucidate? Otherwise, it looks just like an attempt to sound smart.

How about a fuck you?

you didn't answer the fucking question either, your little plug tells us nothing of what you are doing. you didn't even tell us if you are going to be using AC or DC which can also make a difference for what's BEST. Along with current need and how much room you have to put it in...etc.

Personally if it were a connection to a battery, I'd use stranded. If it's something that may be removed and replaced once in a blue moon, sold core would be easier. However; chances are this is something that you are not mass-producing so time/ease of assembly become lesser worries.

http://www.micro-coax.com/page...fo/applications/28.asp

http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/WireCapacityChart.htm

was that elucid enough for you or am I just trying to sound smart?

You didn't tell me anything new. What I'm looking for is "x last longer", preferably backed up with "study from xx backs this up."

EDIT: The fuck are those links supposed to do?

I don't think I've ever seen solid core wire used in IDC except for CAT5 keystone jacks. All the IDC non-ribbon stuff in my junk pile are fairly sturdy stranded wire - from small signal to the larger gauge old computer power wiring. Seems like you're making a big deal over not much - just go with the stranded.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Howard
You didn't tell me anything new. What I'm looking for is "x last longer", preferably backed up with "study from xx backs this up."

EDIT: The fuck are those links supposed to do?

longer? that again will depend on the application. Connections erode over time due to electrical/metal loss and mechanical breakdown.

Those links should clue you in on what WE'D need to know to tell YOU what is going to be BEST for YOUR APPLICATION.

You are basically saying this:

HAI GUISE! I WANT TO HOOK DIS UP: LINK

WATZ BEST? SEZ SOLID OR STRANDED, BUT I ONLY WANT THE BEST!!!1 BEST I SAY! BEST AT EVERYTING!

ATOT DONUT DISAPPOINT.

you see why we have no fucking clue?
KTHXBYE!

 

[edro]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: alkemyst
without knowing what you are using / doing no one will know what's best.

Can you elucidate? Otherwise, it looks just like an attempt to sound smart.

The IDC connector in question is a receptacle that friction fits onto a PCB-mount header, soldered on. The number of positions is irrelevant but I am interested in the 2- and 3-pos versions. I may or may not use the recommended strain relief cover, as it seems that the integral strain relief may be sufficient. One of the parts I am using is this one:

http://search.digikey.com/scri...?Detail&name=A31018-ND

Now, put up or shut up.

edited for clarity

Tyco MTA using the standard pins are usually used with stranded wire.

IDC is usually used with solid.

IMO, stranded is almost always better as far as flexibility and durability.
Solid is more used on ribbon cable and is usually meant to save space.

 

[Howard]

Hm. Thanks. I guess I'll go with the stranded; it's more versatile too.

 

[funkymatt]

Originally posted by: Howard
No, the board(s) that the header will be soldered onto is for some stationary, home-use audio equipment. Once I get all the bugs out, I don't imagine ever having to use the connectors ever again.

You are recommending that I manually tin stranded wire for best results?

yah dude, if you're going to do it, make it build to last.