Tinning plug ends


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Old 10-31-19, 06:50 AM
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Tinning plug ends

I just made up a 250v 30 amp 4 prong to a 125 v cord set for our cabin generator. The directions clearly say do not tin the ends that will slip into the clamp style plug. Why not? It would seem to be a better connection if it was a solid wire as opposed to a stranded connection. No different than using solid 12 or 14 gauge cable.
 
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Old 10-31-19, 07:08 AM
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Solder will cold flow, loosening many type clamp connections.
 
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Old 10-31-19, 08:35 AM
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Tinning also makes the wire rigid so you can have reduced contact area at the connection. With the individual strands loose they squish around as the clamp is tightened, maximizing their contact area.
 
 

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