TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM ARRL DISTRICT 3
EMERGENCY COORDINATOR WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
WOOD COUNTY ARES BULLETIN NR 20.28 DATE: July 12, 2020
SUBJECT: GOOD ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
When making electrical connections it's important they can withstand the elements of weather. Connections using crimp-on splices and terminals, that are exposed to weather, will more than likely fail when you need them. Crimp connections may be fine when they are used in locations that aren't exposed to weather and vibration, but you should think about soldering and taping, or using heat shrink on all your splices and wire lugs whenever possible.
After a period of time the wire, which is normally copper, is used may tarnish and cause your connections to become high resistance, or nonconductive. When this happens, what ever is being operated can fail to work.
If you find the problem as a loose connection, you will more than likely find the wire, or wires have corroded or tarnished enough, that you can't make another good connection. By cutting off the old splice or terminal, you'll normally find the wire is also tarnished back into the insulation, and you'll still have a hard time making a good connection.
Even though crimp-on splices and terminals are a quick way to make a connection, they may give you trouble later.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV