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What is the best way to solder these stranded wires onto a vero board (strip board)?

I am thinking maybe using some kind of connector instead of just soldering on. It will make things more flexible. I also want it to look semi professional.

If using connectors, what connectors would be the best?

Stranded wires

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    \$\begingroup\$ Spring loaded terminal blocks? \$\endgroup\$
    – venny
    Commented Sep 19, 2014 at 10:09
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    \$\begingroup\$ How thick are the cables? \$\endgroup\$
    – venny
    Commented Sep 19, 2014 at 10:19
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    \$\begingroup\$ What's the wire gauge/diameter and the insulation diameter? \$\endgroup\$
    – EM Fields
    Commented Sep 19, 2014 at 11:05
  • \$\begingroup\$ About 22 gauge I think - not exactly sure. But the strands can easily fit through the holes in a typical strip board. \$\endgroup\$
    – T.K.
    Commented Sep 19, 2014 at 11:32
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    \$\begingroup\$ "Semi professional" - what does this realistically mean - I've seen wires like this soldered directly to PCBs on "pro" equipment. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Sep 19, 2014 at 12:39

4 Answers 4

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If you do want to solder them directly, you can make it more robust (and marginally better looking) by drilling holes wide enough for the wire + insulation to fit snugly, looping the wires through those holes and then soldering them. This provides strain relief so that the solder joint isn't taking a significant mechanical load.

This is illustrated below, but you can also have the holes closer together, the other way round, etc - whatever's convenient. Strain relief Image credit: Windell Oskay, CC-BY

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    \$\begingroup\$ This technique is one of the allowed methods in the Space Industry, where there is a standard on this in Europe: ECSS-Q-ST-70-08C "Manual soldering of high-reliability electrical connections" (check Figure 9-9). \$\endgroup\$
    – DaveG
    Commented Jun 23, 2021 at 21:04
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You could solder 0.1" pitch headers onto the board. Then use crimp terminals on a mating connector.

Molex KK connectors are a common type, but there are many compatibles from other manufacturers. You'll need a suitable crimping tool, but after that investment the costs are low.

http://www.molex.com/molex/products/family?key=kk_254_rpc_connector_system&channel=products&chanName=family&pageTitle=Introduction&parentKey=wire_to_board_connectors

ehttp://www.molex.com/molex/products/family?key=kk_254_rpc_connector_system&channel=products&chanName=family&pageTitle=Introduction&parentKey=wire_to_board_connectors

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    \$\begingroup\$ Very helpful answer. These crimp terminals hold the rubber-layer of the wire. so they are much safer than just ordinary soldering. \$\endgroup\$
    – user107801
    Commented Jun 1, 2016 at 9:33
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Here is why wire-joints often easily cut-off from the board.

wire joint Fig : A. Why wire easily breaks-off. Whole mechanical stress on the delicate copper strands.

B. Fastening the insulating cover of the wire, with the substrate of the board, (or with the insulator of another wire in case of wire-wire connections) using a strong, solid system, reduce the chance of cutoff.

If you could understand why the wires cut-off at joints, you could find-out ways to eliminate this.

previously mentioned solutions by other users, based upon this way of stress removal. The grey layer indicates solder.

However, in test gadgets (not professional) i use narrowly cut (2mm to 1 cm wide) pieces of paper tapes (masking tape) , or tie with threads using the excess holes of the veroboard

By the way, terminus of the wire is twisted before soldering, so that loose strand-ends do-not cause short-circuits. Image of wire terminus from wikipedia Image of wire terminus from wikipedia

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You could try Configurable Spring Terminal Blocks from Adafruit Industries http://www.adafruit.com/product/1074 or 2/3 pin- 3.5mm Terminal Blocks http://www.adafruit.com/product/724 that snap together. I have used these on Arduino projects and the work nicely.

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