Repair wire (what is the real name?) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: implor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 08:57:55 am
content: I have been looking at Louis repairs video and I want the same type of repair wire for work.Example:But i can't find it to save my life.I do find it at Aliexpress and Ebay (called phone repair wire) but I can't buy from there at work.enameled wire is also something i have searched for but do not look like it's the same. His looks multi strand(but might not be?)Places i'm allowed to buy from are mouser, digikey, Elfa.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 09:09:58 am
content: Bodge wireWirewrap wire

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 09:17:54 am
content: Snipped component legs and copper wire strands from electricals is what I use 99% of the timekeeps the rubbish bin low, saves on landfill space,and keeps the resident cheapskate happy

author: kolbep
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 09:22:10 am
content: Louis, for the Very Thin Jumpers, uses strands stripped out of LVDS cables (that go from a laptop motherboard to the LCD).You can also get old IDE Cables from older computers (linking the Harddrive to the Motherboard). Those are handy for use as muliple ribbons, or rip them in pieces for Insulated jumpers. Or Strip even further for indivual strands.Just grab some faulty 2nd Hand Gear (Monitors, Hifi's Etc), and cut out all the wires you need.

author: implor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 07:55:36 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on November 17, 2019, 09:09:58 amI found nothing using those names. I know they are called that but it's not a "product name".

author: implor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 08:07:37 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on November 17, 2019, 09:17:54 amWhat you are describing is basically what I'm doing today. It's really getto.The problem is that it's not isolated. It needs to be enameled.This is what I want:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32534264740.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.60ec3cf9TO0IWt&algo_pvid=01d9a06e-f16a-4474-bb44-9ce3d358136f&algo_expid=01d9a06e-f16a-4474-bb44-9ce3d358136f-14&btsid=a0327378-7edf-4fec-b371-8fa202e14c43&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9,searchweb201603_52But I can only order stuff from big distributes.It might be they just don't have this kind of product.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 08:18:30 pm
content: Quote from: kolbep on November 17, 2019, 09:22:10 amThese work only as a very poor bodge wires. The insulation is rarely capable of withstanding soldering heat and the wires are usually of sub-standard solderability.I suggest not to use them for soldering or bodging anything. They are only good for what they have been designed for: crimped terminations.//EDIT: I mean ribbon cables.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 09:05:52 pm
content: Quote from: implor on November 17, 2019, 07:55:36 pmLook for kynar wire.This is what's used for bodges.Thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/wire-with-insulation-that-cleanly-solders-through/

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 09:16:36 pm
content: For pcb repair what you want is thin but good, single core, insulated wire: AWG 30 wire wrapping wire. Don't forget to buy the appropriate wire stripper, it's a must! (the blue thingy in the aliexpress ad)https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33014834163.htmlBack in the day, the brand you could buy everywhere was OK Industries. Their wire wrapping wires were excellent, the mono core is copper plated with silver, and the insulation is a sort of teflon-ish plastic quite resistant to high temperatures (when soldering it doesn't retract or melt easily). I can't tell/don't know how good or bad the wire in the aliexpress link above is. If you can find the OK Industries one, it's very good.Edit:Mouser has got it. See attached .pdf.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 10:30:52 pm
content: Quote from: implor on November 17, 2019, 08:57:55 amLooks like single-strand enameled wire to me. Stuff like the low-temp models here:https://www.digikey.com/en/product-highlight/c/cnc-tech/magnet-wire

author: Wimberleytech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2019, 03:23:57 pm
content: I have some but cannot remember where I bought it. Looks like this.https://tinyurl.com/r2cwnd9

author: Ground_Loop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2019, 05:10:16 pm
content: Amazon has .1 mm magnet wire all day long.https://www.amazon.com/s?k=.1+mm+magnet+wire&ref=nb_sb_noss

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 10:47:00 am
content: Aliexpress too

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 11:02:47 am
content: Make sure you get the correct wire where the heat of the iron burns off the enameled coating.If you get the wrong stuff you will have to scrape off the enamel with a knife or sandpaper before you can solder it.Which is super annoying.The stuff you want is sometimes called "Solderable Enamelled Copper"The wire i get is intended for the roadrunner wiring pen. It's nice stuff and is available in a few colors/sizeshttps://www.roadrunnerelectronics.com/epages/BT3782.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT3782/Categories/Wirehttps://nz.element14.com/roadrunner/rrp-a-105/wire-0-15mm-assorted-pk-4/dp/5017233https://nz.element14.com/roadrunner/rrw-a-105/wire-0-19mm-assorted-pk-4/dp/5017245This is the actual pencil it goes inhttps://www.roadrunnerelectronics.com/Wiring-Pencils

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 11:06:53 am
content: Quote from: Ground_Loop on November 18, 2019, 05:10:16 pmQuote from: Yansi on November 19, 2019, 10:47:00 amUmm, can’t you guys read before replying? Right in the original post, it says his work will only allow them to order it from: “mouser, digikey,  Elfa”.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 11:17:21 am
content: Quote from: tooki on November 19, 2019, 11:06:53 amThen i think he is out of luck.Those companies do not specialist in that sort of wire.He'll probably find generic transformer/magnet type enameled wire for sale at mouser/digikey/elfa, but not proper solderable enameled wire for rework.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 12:32:20 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on November 19, 2019, 11:17:21 amI already provided a link to solderable enameled wire on digi-key.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 01:14:01 pm
content: hm.. so you did.That's odd though, i thought the point of all magnet wire was for the enamel to be super resistant to heat.If it's for electromagnets or transformers or winding into a tight coil the last thing you want is heat causing the insulation to fail.So i'm surprised to see a product that has intended applications of Transformers, Inductors and Motors also say the words "Solderable without prior removal of the film"

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 01:59:20 pm
content: Not all transformers, solenoids, relays, motors, etc. are designed to run hot. Bear in mind that even the solderable one I linked to says it’s rated at “155C class” (which is higher than its standard says it should), and IMHO if your transformer is running at 150C, you’re really pushing things in most designs.Anyhow, looking at the part numbers, it turns out the “MW-28-C” isn’t a manufacturer part number, but an industry standard. And searching for it, I found the index to the NEMA standard document, which lists a whole bevy of solderable enameled wires:https://www.nema.org/Standards/ComplimentaryDocuments/ANSI_NEMA_MW1000-2016%20CONTENTS-AND-SCOPE.pdfKnowing the codes to look for should make it a LOT easier to search for such wire!

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 04:23:07 pm
content: Quote from: GeorgeOfTheJungle on November 17, 2019, 09:16:36 pmThe 'Kynar' refers to the insulation, and is a tradename for polyvinylidene fluoride aka PVDF.

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 04:47:36 pm
content: Yep, a fluoropolymer, like teflon.

author: dnwheeler
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 08:49:40 pm
content: Louis Rossmann uses Remington single-strand enameled copper magnet wire (he sells it on his site if you want to look up the details:https://store.rossmanngroup.com/index.php/soldering-diy/helpful-tools-extras/jumper-wires.html). Note that the he usesvery smallwire (usually 40 AWG, sometimes 34 AWG) for his work. Be sure to purchase an appropriate size for the current the wire will be carrying.

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 09:28:55 pm
content: And if you want an alternate supplier of wire etc as used by the iPhone independent repair people, tryhttps://www.unionrepair.com/wire-and-tape/

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 10:59:23 pm
content: If your ordering from Digikey your probably looking for Tinned hook up wire .Can be either silvered .nickel ed or tinned solid or stranded. I just call it Alpha Wire but of course that is a brand name.https://www.digikey.ca/products/en/cables-wires/single-conductor-cables-hook-up-wire/474?k=&pkeyword=&sv=0&v=216&sf=0&FV=-8%7C474&quantity=&ColumnSort=0&page=1&pageSize=25

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2019, 10:53:51 am
content: Quote from: dnwheeler on November 19, 2019, 08:49:40 pmThe stuff Louis uses needs to be scraped to remove the insulation. You see him scraping at it with the iron tip in videos to get the solder to stick.With the correct stuff the hot solder will remove the coating effortlessly without any scraping needed.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2019, 12:18:19 pm
content: It will likely not, unless you are soldering at like 350+ °CThe coating is quite resilient even on the solderable-grade wires.Also, simple trick to remove the last millimeter of the enamel coating is to stick the wire to a blob of molten solder under a bit of flux. The solder will slowly creep under the enamel from the end of the wire, helping to destroy to enamel.If you need to scrape anything with your soldering iron tip, then you're using it wrong and the tip gets destroyed very quickly. Iron tips aren't meant to be scraped, or scraped with. The coating will get damaged and solder then won't stick to it properly.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2019, 12:53:41 pm
content: that was my point

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2019, 06:09:39 pm
content: I use Kynar wire, it's intended for wire wrapping but works very well for rework jumpers. The insulation can tolerate the heat of soldering without melting into a mess.