Teflon / PTFE insulated solid core hook up wire? UK suppliers? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Chris Wilson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 04:19:39 pm
content: I want to buy a few small rolls of various colour insulation, solid core hook up wire, but not PVC insulated. I want an insulation that doesn't shrink back when soldered or heated, so probably I am looking for Teflon / PTFE and not PVC? Any recommended UK suppliers? Thanks, and a happy Christmas to all

author: Christopher
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 04:29:03 pm
content: Dunno about Solid core but for stranded Raychem is good and on farnell.

author: Chris Wilson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 04:32:18 pm
content: Hi, thanks for that, I have quite a good stock of Raychem cables and heat shrink as I am a race car engineer, and it's commonly used in wiring ecu's, digi dashes and the like, but I really want solid core for prototyping on boards, I am sick of the way PVC shrinks back and leaves the core exposed.

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 04:41:59 pm
content: I believe you can generally find it under the name "Kynar wire"

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 04:54:12 pm
content: What size do you need? Does the sheath colour matter?

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 05:04:13 pm
content: http://uk.farnell.com/brand-rex/spc00440a002-25m/wire-ptfe-a-black-1-0-4mm-25m/dp/1183994They have a number of colours in stock.I don't use single strand myself, I need multistrand for the aerospace stuff I do for a small degree of flexibility, but Farnell is where I get it.

author: Chris Wilson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 05:05:20 pm
content: 28SWG or less, colours not important. I see PTFE insulated Kynar wire in the US, but we Brits don't seem to have it over here yet

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 05:07:05 pm
content: The one I quoted was 26 SWG. Did our posts cross?

author: Chris Wilson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 05:13:43 pm
content: Quote from: Howardlong on December 25, 2014, 05:07:05 pmThey must have done, yes! They seem to have what I need, and I even have an account with Farnell. Would you happen to know if "ETFE" is similar to "PTFE" insulation? Cheers, and all the best for Christmas.EDIT: Found info on the differences between ETFE and PTFE at:http://www.lectromec.com/overview-big-two-wiring-insulations-pt/Thanks again.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 05:20:45 pm
content: Sorry, no I don't. Seasons greetings to you too.Cheers!

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 08:08:42 pm
content: FYI, these heat stripers work great with Teflon wires. No nicking whatsoever.http://www.teledyneinterconnect.com/products/wire_strippers/wirestrip.asp

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2014, 12:34:11 am
content: RS Components sell some.http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/cables-wires/wire-single-core-cable/harsh-environment-wire/?applied-dimensions=4294851320,4294316130&esid=cl_4294967294,cl_4294956709,cl_4294959298,cl_4294958223,cl_4294959953,cl_4294959327,cl_4294956511,cl_4294958386,cl_4294660211&m=1

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2014, 07:31:23 am
content: Teflon insulation can be a real pig to strip.

author: dan.soethe
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2014, 07:03:52 pm
content: For bread boarding I've always used, old telcom wires or cat 5 wires.They're easy to strip, they're solid, if you need to hookup low speed data buses they're conveniently grouped buy 8.I just keep the strip lengths short and build my circuits carefully and logically to prevent shorts.

author: Chris Wilson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2014, 07:12:13 pm
content: Quote from: dan.soethe on December 26, 2014, 07:03:52 pmHmm, I think there are a couple of reels of the old internal telephone cable in the garage, I will have to take a look. The PTFE stuff is for Veroboard and the like, where soldering is involved. The telephone wire sounds great for breadboards though, thanks Dan.

author: dan.soethe
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2014, 07:24:32 pm
content: Another thought, before soldering, slide on some heat shrink tubing and after soldering put the heat shrink over the bare spots.I've seen professional type circuit boards do this.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2014, 07:59:58 pm
content: Quote from: Chris Wilson on December 26, 2014, 07:12:13 pmThe same stuff we have here is 0.5 mm PVC jumper wire in loosely twisted pairs, the insulation will shrink back with soldering, but tin it first, then trim back the conductor and then final install.IMO a shame to have this perfectly good cable lying around and not use it.You will have to limit its use to LV though.Like dan.soethe's idea of sleeving it too and one could also add coloured sleeving for identification.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2014, 02:35:54 am
content: Quote from: Chris Wilson on December 25, 2014, 05:13:43 pmdupont actually has a more specific comparison:http://www2.dupont.com/Teflon_Industrial/en_US/tech_info/techinfo_compare.html