high current solder

Gryd3

Jun 25, 2014
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Jun 25, 2014
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as said in this thread here: https://www.electronicspoint.com/threads/pre-amplifier-line-in-mixer-chip.272880/
i am building a HIFI amplfier. the current is gonna be big so I need some solder that will carry at least 4 amp of 100v current efficiently. WIll regular solder work? or is there some special kinda sold you have to use?

any help is appreciated
4 Amps does not seem very large ;)

Typically high power applications require that any joints and parts are as low a resistance as possible. A poor solder joint will act as a small resistor... the worse the connection the higher the resistance will be. When current passes through, this resistance causes heat. enough heat and you get a failure ;)

So, with that said, I am not aware of any special solder that you should use for 4Amps... many of the electrical connections in a home are merely wire twisted together with a marret twisted on top :p These connections carry 110-240V depending on the application and at least 10A.
Ultimately, your solder is not there to provide a current path so much as to securely hold the conductors together. I think of it as heat-sink paste. Just enough to fill the air gaps between the metals and hold it together, but not so much as to have your conductors 'floating' in it.

Perhaps someone has a more detailed explanation of some different solder types.
 

davenn

Moderator
Sep 5, 2009
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So, with that said, I am not aware of any special solder that you should use for 4Amps... many of the electrical connections in a home are merely wire twisted together with a marret twisted on top :p These connections carry 110-240V depending on the application and at least 10A.
Ultimately, your solder is not there to provide a current path so much as to securely hold the conductors together


yup exactly !
couldn't have said it better myself :)

D
 

swagguy8

Dec 10, 2014
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Dec 10, 2014
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4 Amps does not seem very large ;)

Typically high power applications require that any joints and parts are as low a resistance as possible. A poor solder joint will act as a small resistor... the worse the connection the higher the resistance will be. When current passes through, this resistance causes heat. enough heat and you get a failure ;)

So, with that said, I am not aware of any special solder that you should use for 4Amps... many of the electrical connections in a home are merely wire twisted together with a marret twisted on top :p These connections carry 110-240V depending on the application and at least 10A.
Ultimately, your solder is not there to provide a current path so much as to securely hold the conductors together. I think of it as heat-sink paste. Just enough to fill the air gaps between the metals and hold it together, but not so much as to have your conductors 'floating' in it.

Perhaps someone has a more detailed explanation of some different solder types.
thanks for the reply.
 

Alchymist

Apr 16, 2011
26
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Apr 16, 2011
Messages
26
I've made cables from #0 copper to carry hundreds of amps - regular old rosin core solder on the terminals. The key is heavy enough conductors and terminals to carry the required current.
 
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