CSS 10 Week 5

Common Wire Splices and Joints

Name:
Grade 10: Sir. Lester Alcantara

PRETEST
Directions: Read the questions carefully and choose the letter of the best answer.
Write your answer on the space provided.
___________ 1. It is a pencil-shaped tool which uses a heating element to bring
the tip to between 500 and 650 F, hot enough to melt electrical solder.
a. Cutters b. Pliers c. Screwdriver d. Soldering iron
___________ 2. An electronic tester which measures voltage, current, resistance and
other aspects of electricity and circuits.
a. Cutters b. Pliers c. Multi-tester d. Screwdriver
___________ 3. It is the process of joining two or more electronic parts together by
melting solder around the connection.
a. Joining b. Splicing c. Soldering d. Welding
___________ 4. This is used extensively for outside wiring to extend the length of wire
from one end to another.
a. Knotted tap
b. Plain tap joint
c. Western Union Short-tie Splice
d. Western Union Long-tie Splice
___________ 5. This is a two-tap wire turned simultaneously and is used where the
two tap wire is under heavy tensile stress.
a. Cross Joint
b. Duplex cross joint
c. Knotted tap
d. Plain tap joint

Common Wire Splices and Joints

As a student in Computer System Servicing you should acquire the important
knowledge and skills in wire splices and joints and should be familiar with the actual
application of every splice and joint. This will serve as your tool in performing actual
wiring installation. Of course, another factor is the knowledge in interpreting and
analyzing the wiring diagram especially if the circuit is complicated. The following
are the tools, equipment, and common electrical wire splices and joints.
Tools and Equipment
PLIERS - it is used to bend and crimp wires, hold hot parts during soldering and
help you set delicate components into place.
CUTTERS - it removes insulation from wires and cut them to different lengths.
SCREWDRIVERS - are essential for fastening circuit boards to project boxes and
disassembling equipment for repairs.
SOLDERING GUN/IRON - is a pencil-shaped tool which uses a heating element to
bring the tip to between 500 and 650 F, hot enough to melt electrical solder. To build
permanent, reliable circuits, you need to solder connections between wires and
components.
MULTI –TESTER - an electronic tester which measures voltage, current, resistance
and other aspects of electricity and circuits. A multi tester has a knob, which selects
the measurement function, and a pair of test leads for connecting the device to a
circuit.
EXTENSION CORD - is a span of flexible electrical power cable with a plug on one
end and multiple sockets on the other end. It comes in several varieties to suit the
needs of the user. One of the most important considerations is the power handling
capacity to make it safe and functional. Electrical gadgets are product of modern
technology to make our life better.

What Is Soldering?
If you were to take apart any electronic device that contains a circuit board,
you’ll see the components are attached using soldering techniques. Soldering is the
process of joining two or more electronic parts together by melting solder around the
connection. Solder is a metal alloy and when it cools it creates a strong electrical
bond between the parts. Even though soldering can create a permanent connection,
it can also be reversed using a de-soldering tool as described below.

Soldering Tools
The good thing about learning how to solder is the fact that you don’t need a lot to
get started. Below we’ll outline the basic tools and materials you will need for most
of your soldering projects.
Soldering Iron
A soldering iron is a hand tool that plugs into a standard 120v AC outlet and heats
up in order to melt solder around electrical connections. This is one of the most
important tools used in soldering and it can come in a few variations such as pen or
gun form.
Soldering Station
A soldering station is a more advanced version of the basic standalone soldering pen.
If you are going to be doing a lot of soldering, these are great to have as they offer
more flexibility and control. The main benefit of a soldering station is the ability to
precisely adjust the temperature of the soldering iron which is great for a range of
projects. These stations can also create a safer workspace as some include advanced
temperature sensors, alert settings and even password protection for safety.
Soldering Iron Tips
At the end of most soldering irons is an interchangeable part known as a soldering
tip. There are many variations of this tip and they come in a wide variety of shapes
and sizes. Each tip is used for a specific purpose and offers a distinct advantage over
another. The most common tips you will use in electronics projects are the conical
tip and the chisel tip.
 Conical Tip – is used in precision electronics soldering because of the fine
tip. Because of its pointed end, it’s able to deliver heat to smaller areas without
affecting its surroundings.
 Chisel Tip – this tip is well-suited to soldering wires or other larger
components because of its broad flat tip.
Brass or Conventional Sponge
Using a sponge will help to keep the soldering iron tip clean by removing the oxidation
that forms. Tips with oxidation will tend to turn black and not accept solder as it did
when it was new. You could use a conventional wet sponge but this tends to shorten
the lifespan of the tip due to expansion and contraction
Soldering Iron Stand
A soldering iron stand is very basic but very useful and handy to have. This stand
helps prevent the hot iron tip from coming in contact with flammable materials or
causing accidental injury to your hand. Most soldering stations come with this built
in and also include a sponge or brass sponge for cleaning the tip.
Solder
Solder is a metal alloy material that is melted to create a permanent bond between
electrical parts. It comes in both lead and lead-free variations with diameters of .032″
and .062″ being the most common. Inside the solder core is a material known as flux
which helps improve electrical contact and its mechanical strength.
SPLICING - electrical connection or joining of two or more wires that conduct
electricity in a building.
Types of Splicing

1.Western Union Short-tie Splice - This is the most

widely used splice or joint in interior wiring
installation to extend the length of wire from one
point to another.

2. Western Union Long-tie Splice - This is used

extensively for outside wiring to extend the length of
wire from one end to another.

3.Y-Splice - This method of wrapping is generally used

on small cables because the strands are flexible and all
can be wrapped in one operation.
JOINTING - Joining electrical power cables can be as simple as twisting the wires
and taping them or more detailed using a variety of inline adapters and connectors.

Types of Jointing

1. The Britannia joint - is a form of electrical joint

used for bare overhead wires where great tensile
strength is required.

2. Straight joint - The copper wires are separated for

a length of about 2 inches from the end, and carefully
cleaned with emery cloth. The remainder of the
exposed copper wires are twisted tightly together, and
the central strand is cut out as close as possible to
the point where the strands commence to separate.

3.Tee Joint/Wrapped Tap - This is used on large

solid conductors where it is difficult to wrap the
heavy tap wire around the main wire.

4.Rat Tail or Pig Tail - This kind of joint is

commonly used to join two or more conductors inside
the junction box. It is suitable for service where there
is no mechanical stress when wires are to be
connected in an outlet box, switch, or conduit fitting.

5. Knotted tap - Joint all the splices discussed up

to this point are known as butted splices. Each was
made by joining the free ends of the conductors
together. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to
join a branch conductor to a continuous wire called
the main wire. Such a junction is called a tap joint.

6.Plain tap joint - This is used where the tap wire

is under considerable tensile stress circuit.
 7.Aerial Tap - This is used as a temporary tap
usually done in constructions sites. The easy twist
will facilitate tap wire movement.

8.Duplex cross joint - This is a two-tap wire

turned simultaneously and is used where the two
tap wire is under heavy tensile stress.

9. Cross Joint - The same application is done as in

plain tap and the only difference is that this tap is
a combination of two plain taps place side by side
with each other.

10.Wrapped Tap or Tee Joint- This is used on

large solid conductors where it is difficult to wrap
the heavy tap wire around the main wire.

Steps in splicing a rat tail joint

1. Strip the wire insulator at the ends of the conductor to

be joined at about 50 mm. Clean both wires to be joined.

2. Place the two ends of bare wire in crossed position.

3. Then, twist the bare conductors about five to seven times.

Steps in splicing western union long- tie joint

1. Strip the wire ends for about 75 mm.

2. Place the wires in crossed position about mid halfway

from the insulation.

3. Make four to six long twists of wires.

4. Wrap each side of the wire for about four to five turns as

shown in figure 4.

ACTIVITIES

A. Directions. Read and answer the following questions. Write your answer on the
space provided.
1. What are the different types of soldering tools? Explain it briefly.
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2. Differentiate Splicing from Jointing.

Splicing
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 Jointing
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B. Directions. Classify the following common splices and joints whether it is Splice
or Joint. Write your answer on the space provided.

________________ 1.

_______________ 2.

_______________ 3.

_______________ 4.

_______________ 5.
 POSTTEST

Directions: Fill in the missing letters to complete the words. Use the definition
provided as your reference.

1. A metal alloy material that is melted to create a permanent bond between

electrical parts.

2. This is used as a temporary tap usually done in constructions sites. The easy
twist will facilitate tap wire movement.

3. This method of wrapping is generally used on small cables because the

strands are flexible and all can be wrapped in one operation.

4. Joint all the splices discussed up to this point are known as butted splices.

5. It is an electrical connection or joining of two or more wires that conduct

electricity in a building.