contents
- How to connect wires to the PCB without using solder
- How to connect wires to a circuit board with glue
- Step 1. Disconnect or unplug your device
- Step 2. Remove the cables
- Step 3. Hold the cables in place
- Connection of wires without soldering or connection
- Step 1. Find the size of the cables
- Step 2. Strip the wires
- Step 3. Inserting cables
- Step 4. Crimp Wire
- Can glue be used instead of solder?
- Replacement of welds with insulating tape
- What to use instead of a soldering iron?
By the end of this article you will be able to securely connect wires to a circuit board without soldering it.
Sometimes you don't feel comfortable soldering or you don't have the tools at hand and need a way to do it in an emergency. There are several effective replacement techniques you can use to connect wires to circuit boards: using terminal blocks, connectors, quick glue, applying liquid rosin, and more. In addition, weld leads reduce the flexibility of the leads, making it an erroneous process.
There are several steps you can take to connect wires to any PCB without soldering.
- First, unplug the device and clean it with a cleaning chemical.
- Remove the pull wires and fix them on each side with quick-acting glue or contact cement.
- Alternatively, you can use wire-to-PCB technology, which uses a single point of contact to connect the wire to the board.
- Applying liquid rosin is also a workable technique: heat liquid rosin and flow it over the copper wire and solder to cool it.
We'll go into more detail below.
How to connect wires to the PCB without using solder
In a circuit building process, not all wires can always be soldered. In this case, there are instant glues that you can use to connect the cables.
Small items such as resistors can be easily attached with quick glue. In such a situation, put the cable in the terminal block and go around your circuit board.
Since most electrical connections in computers and related electronics are hardwired, you might think soldering is the only option when it isn't.
This guide will show you everything you need to do to connect circuit board elements with glue.
When connecting cables to a circuit board you have three possible options:
Option 1
Here you connect the cable without reinforcement to the circuit board. This is the cheapest technique.
Option 2
You can use connectors and terminal blocks to connect the wires to the circuit board. Unlike Option 1, this method can be expensive.
option 3
Trainlines are used to connect wires to the circuit board. They have incredible flexibility (97 percent) which makes them suitable. (1)
However, if you use solder to connect the wires to the PCB, they (the wires) lose their flexibility. The cables eventually develop a transition point that leads to their failure.
Note that it's okay to use a screwdriver to tighten loose wire connections.
How to connect wires to a circuit board with glue
The easiest way to connect the wires to the board is to twist them together. Alternatively, you can use connectors, but the latter will cost some money. Using glue is one of the cheapest techniques you can use to connect wires to a circuit board.
So you just feed the wires through the board or use glue and/or contact cement to hold the wires on the board.
Note: If you choose contact adhesive or glue shape, you need more space.
Carry out the following steps:
Step 1. Disconnect or unplug your device
Step 2. Remove the cables
Remove the wires that come out when you insert the battery into the circuit board.
Step 3. Hold the cables in place
Holding the wires in place and contact cement and glue are alternative options.
Connection of wires without soldering or connection
Here's how you can build without welding and welding costs:
This method allows you to use a contact point to connect the wire to the circuit board. And it's the most economical, unlike terminal blocks and connectors, which are expensive and take up extra space.
Always cover the cables with insulating plastic to protect them from heat and contact with other sensitive elements.
Step 1. Find the size of the cables
Find the correct hole size for all of the wires.
Step 2. Strip the wires
Remove the insulation coating from one end of the two wires with wire strippers.
Step 3. Inserting cables
Insert the bare end of a wire into a crimp up to the insulated portion. Do the same with the other wire.
Step 4. Crimp Wire
Place the curl in the notch of the crimping tool and squeeze until it bends.
Can glue be used instead of solder?
Yes, you can use a quick glue to connect 97 or smaller wires to circuit boards.
steps:
- Twist the wires in one direction
- Attach them to one point on the board
- Then apply the hot glue to the connected wires.
- Let cool down.
Use:
Cut a small hole between the pad and the wire leads when soldering the LEDs. Then pour the melted solder into the crack and let it flow for about two seconds.
Avoid applying solder to the other pads on the board to protect the LED.
Instead of using glue, you can use the shrink tubing technique. The process combines the wires without using solder. The mechanism is simple: the shrink film shrinks to form a solder solution. The method takes a few minutes and is very inexpensive. However, make sure you have a stable heat source. (2)
Replacement of welds with insulating tape
As mentioned above, there are other, more convenient ways to connect wires to circuit boards than using solder. Wires can be connected to circuit boards using terminal blocks and connectors. However, this depends on the type of connection.
Another option is to glue the wires to the circuit boards, but then the connection will not properly insulate. The cables can be short-circuited.
If you use solder to connect wires to a circuit board, make sure it simulates a volcano or cone. Solder should be smooth and not bunched or spattered onto adjacent wires and connections.
Use a clamping device to fix the cables on the circuit boards. You can also remove the insulation to achieve the same thing.
What to use instead of a soldering iron?
Cleanliness is essential in circuit board connections. Therefore, clean wires, conductors, and other circuit board parts before connecting wires. New circuit boards are clean, but old ones have traces of dirt and contamination that can affect your operation.
I recommend using chemical cleaners to remove residue from the circuit boards. And don't forget to clean and dry the soldering iron tip. A small amount of solder at the tip conducts heat to the circuit board.
Hold the connections tight when soldering a wire to the board to prevent the solder from coming loose when pulled. Then look for weak points on your circuit board and fix them immediately before assembling the other components.
Use flux instead of a soldering iron. Flux allows the solder to flow evenly and smoothly.
Soldering is a very important step that you cannot afford in soldering. It does the following:
- The tinning prevents solder from falling onto the circuit board
- Improves heat transfer
- Protects the soldering iron tip
- Slows down the wear of the circuit board elements.
Caution:Do not use a soldering iron without a soldering iron, the tip is brittle.
Take a look at some of our related articles below.
- How to remove the wire from the snap connector
- How to cut electrical wire
- Where can you find thick scrap copper wire?
references
(1) Flexibility: https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-flexibility
(2) Heat source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/physics-and-astronomy/heat-sources
reference video
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FAQs
How to solder a wire to a circuit board without a soldering iron? ›
You can use anything that is able to heat a piece of metal up to the melting point of your solder (between 400°F / 200°C and 700°F / 370°C). Butane lighters work the best. But you can also use candles, oil lamps, alcohol burners, or even open camp fires.
What can I use instead of solder on a circuit board? ›- You can combine wire-wrap with solderless breadboards as an alternative to soldering circuit components.
- Projects built this way are quite sturdy and last for years.
- If that fits your need, try googling permanent solderless breadboards.
What you need: a roll of electrical tape and two wires whose ends have been twisted together. First, lay the twisted part of the wires onto a strip of electrical tape. Wrap the tape around the wires tightly 5-6 times, making sure to cover up all the wire. Give your connection a tug to make sure it is strong.
Is there a glue that works like solder? ›If you've ever soldered or welded, you'll know that things get pretty hot. MesoGlue intends to fix that.
How do you connect metal without soldering? ›Brazing: Brazing involves heating up a filler metal above 800 degrees Fahrenheit which connects the two metals together. The technique of brazing is similar to welding, but is less expensive. Also, brazing acts more like an adhesive as it bonds the two metals together with the filler metal.
Can you hot glue instead of solder? ›No, you can't. A hot melt glue gun does not get as hot as a soldering iron, and the highest temperature is inside the chamber, not at the tip. Soldering requires transferring a lot of heat from the iron tip to heat up both the wire, the lug it is being soldered to, and also the solder.
Can you solder with Vaseline? ›Yes, Vaseline works just as well as commercial flux, and you can even buy a generic brand. Petroleum jelly is primarily made from waxes and mineral oils so that it won't corrode your components. Plus, it cleans away the gunk and eliminates metal oxides that could compromise your bond.
Can you glue a wire to a circuit board? ›UV glue is also a great idea I've used it on a board once to secure a tiny wire to a PCB with great result.
Can you splice wires without soldering? ›Wire nuts are a great way to connect two wires without soldering. Simply twist the wire nuts onto the two wires, and then twist on the cover. The wire nuts will create a connection between the two wires, and will hold them together.
What metal Cannot be soldered? ›| Solderability | Metal |
|---|---|
| Fair | Carbon steel Low alloy steel Zinc Nickel |
| Poor | Aluminium Aluminium bronze |
| Difficult | High alloy steel Stainless steels |
| Very Difficult | Cast iron Chromium Titanium Tantalum Magnesium |
Can solder be melted with a lighter? ›
This video teaches how to solder two wires using a lighter in simple steps. First strip together two ends of a wire by removing their outer cover. Now take a lighter and start heating the wire ends. Heat the wires till it starts melting.
Can I use super glue instead of soldering iron? ›Can I use super glue instead of solder? No — super glue doesn't conduct electricity. Solder is metal, and is used to make a connection between components in an electronic circuit. Super glue is a cyanoacrylate.
What kind of glue conducts electricity? ›Electrically conductive silicone adhesives are often used in the automotive industry as a connective interconnect for ADAS cameras and radars as well as LiDARs. They can also be used in electronic assembly in a wide range of industries such as medical, telecom, and aerospace .
What kind of glue can you use on circuit boards? ›Three chemical types of adhesive are commonly used for surface-mount component bonding: acrylics, epoxies and urethane acry- lates. These adhesives, together with other types used in electronics applications, are discussed in greater detail below.
What glue can be used on circuit boards? ›They include cyanoacrylates, urethane acrylates, silicones, cyanoacrylates, acrylics, and epoxy glue for PCB. Notwithstanding, in numerous applications, including coordinated circuits and surface-mount gadgets, electrically conductive glues are required.
How do you connect two pieces of metal without welding? ›- The brazing method means using a sort of filler metal to connect two metal parts together. ...
- Soldering is similar to the welding process and is widely utilized in making circuit boards, electronics, and similar items. ...
- Riveting is used to connect two heavy section metal pieces together.
There are two alternative joining methods to welding; mechanical fasteners and adhesives. These two are often compared against each other.
Can you use a hair dryer to solder? ›A hair dryer would not be able to produce enough heat to melt the solder and shrink the tubing. We recommend using a heat gun with these Wirefy heat shrink solder & seal connectors.
Can I use hot glue to connect wires? ›If you are using normal hot glue, you connection will not pass current, unless the wire is wrapped tightly around the terminal.
Will hot glue mess up a circuit board? ›Hot-melt glue won't cause problems directly, but it also has no static-dissipative properties (good insulator), so it won't prevent problems, either.
What does solder not stick to? ›
Solder simply will not adhere to dirty or oxidized metal surfaces. Clean any flat surfaces which are to be soldered with steel wool, a file, emery cloth, etc. It's important to take time to clean the surface thoroughly. Scrape any wire to be soldered with the back of a knife or any flat piece of metal (Fig.
What should you not do while soldering? ›1) Soldering Iron Safety • Never touch the element or tip of the soldering iron. It is very hot (about 400°C) and will burn. Hold wires to be heated with tweezers, pliers or clamps to avoid receiving burns from objects that are heated. Keep the cleaning sponge wet during use.
What should you not do when soldering? ›- Do not plug in and turn on until the tip element has been checked, or replaced and tightened.
- Never touch the soldering tip. ...
- Always wear safety glasses. ...
- Avoid positioning your head directly over the soldering process. ...
- Avoid prolonged use.
Epoxy adhesives form the strongest metal-to-metal bonds. They consist of two parts – the adhesive and the hardener. These combine to create strong, long-lasting bonds between different types of metal or between metal and concrete surfaces. For metal you may want to find yourself a two-part epoxy adhesive.
Can I use electrical tape on a circuit board? ›Cable and electrical tapes are most commonly found on electrical wires and devices to enclose, insulate, or mark components. It can also be used to adhere mechanisms and heat sinks to circuit boards.
What wires go to positive and negative? ›In the world of DC electronics, the accepted wiring convention is that the red wire carries the positive voltage, and the black is circuit ground. Usually the red is marked as + (plus) and the black is marked as – (minus). Notice that in both AC electricity and DC electronics, there is a black wire.
What are the 3 types of wiring connection? ›- Cleat Wiring. This wiring comprises of PVC insulated wires or ordinary VIR that are braided and compounded. ...
- Casing and Capping Wiring. ...
- Batten Wiring. ...
- Lead Sheathed Wiring. ...
- Conduit Wiring.
Hot Glue Method – Strength: Medium
To use hot glue for wiring, start by heating up the glue gun. Once the glue is melted, hold the wire in one hand and apply the glue to the wire with the other. Wrap the wire around the component you're connecting it to, and then hold it in place until the glue dries.
- Casing and Capping Wiring.
- Cleat wiring.
- Batten Wiring.
- Conduit Wiring.
Splicers are used to join wires or cables together. Strippers are wire, cable and connector tools that are used to remove the cover or insulation from conductors.
Which wire is hot black or red? ›
The black wire is the "hot" wire, it carries the electricity from the breaker panel into the switch or light source.
How do I tell which wire is hot? ›Hot wire is identified by its black casing. This is the main color of hot wire for most homes. However, other hot wires can red, blue, or yellow, although these colors can indicate a different function besides powering an outlet.
What are the 2 types of connection in electric circuits? ›- Series connection.
- Parallel connection.
Black wire: This is a hot wire that carries electricity from the power source to the first switch in a typical 3-way setup. It's also called the “common wire” or the “line wire.” Unless the breaker is off, this black wire is always hot.
Which wire is best to connect first? ›“Positive first, then negative. When disconnecting the cables from the old battery, disconnect the negative first, then the positive. Connect the new battery in the reverse order, positive then negative.”