How to Solder Phone Wire
Modifying or rewiring the phone circuits in your house can be a tedious operation. Phone wire comes only in very thin gauges such as 22, 24 or even 26. It can be solid or stranded, and can be bare copper or coated. Because of its tiny size, many times it breaks off at connections or comes loose from under screw terminals. For DIY projects sometimes soldering it makes much more sense, for a better electrical connection that lasts longer.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Low power soldering iron
- Solder with a resin core
- Wire strippers
- Needle nosed pliers
- Solvent
- Rags
- Toothbrush
Instructions
-
-
1
Tin the wire you want to connect. Touch the wire to the tip of your soldering iron and touch a bit of solder to it. Shake it instantly so that excess solder flies off.
-
2
Use the needle-nosed pliers to wrap the wire around the terminal where you want to connect it. A half a turn to a full turn is enough; just enough to keep it from falling off while you are soldering it.
-
-
3
Touch the soldering iron to the connection for a second or two, then touch the solder to the connection. As soon as a bit of solder melts, pull the iron and the solder away.
-
4
Clean the connection with a rag dampened with solvent. If any flux residue sticks, clean it off with the toothbrush.
-
5
Dry the connection with a clean soft cloth.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If the wire is stranded, twist it together before tinning.
When stripping off the insulation, be careful not to nick the wire. A slight nick turns into a break before you know it.
Phone wire has thin insulation that melts easily. Work fast to prevent melting the insulation.
