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Superfluous question of the day: What type of wire do you prefer to use?
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Wolfram:
PEX/XLPE insulation all the way, like UL 3266 wire for instance. Cheaper and easier to strip than PTFE, easier to bundle than silicone, and none of the issues of PVC with the insulation melting or shrinking when you solder them.
thm_w:

--- Quote from: e100 on August 26, 2022, 02:18:52 am ---
--- Quote from: thm_w on August 25, 2022, 09:44:59 pm ---

--- Quote from: e100 on August 25, 2022, 06:43:32 am ---For copper wire ends that go into terminal blocks, I solder on a short length of 1mm nickel wire folded back on itself. This is stiffer and stronger than copper, corrosion resistant, lies flat in the connector and the rounded end doesn't stab your fingers.

--- End quote ---

Have you heard of wire ferrules?

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Some time ago I asked this question about crimp tools https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/is-there-a-dummies-guide-to-crimp-terminals-and-tools/
This revealed the crimp industry to be a confusing mess of proprietary connectors and tools.
In a professional context you would buy the connectors and matching tool from a trusted supplier and pass the cost onto the customer.

For hobby work where you are perhaps doing 50 connectors per year, the cost of a quality crimping tool and holding a stock of genuine (non-fake) terminators for different wire sizes isn't cost effective.

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OK but not sure how that is relevant as it does not apply to terminal blocks.
All terminal blocks will work with a generic wire ferrule. Soldering a wire into a terminal takes longer and is less reliable.
You can get a ratcheting ferrule crimper and ferrules kit for <$30.
If you don't do enough to justify the cost though, thats fine.
james_s:
It depends on the task. If I'm soldering it then it's hard to beat silicone insulation. For general project wiring where I want a variety of colors and the current being carried is low, I like the multicolored stuff that comes from old computer cables. Some of it has insulation that turns into a melty mess really quickly but some is slightly more resistant to heat. For line voltage wiring I like stranded copper of the sort used in decent quality power cords.
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