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As I said when I first arrived in town, I have alot of questions....
I had a customer to bring in a neon sign recently and he requested that we solder the leads from elctrode to the gto? I've never seen this done, and doubted if this is a safe practice. We've always just used the proper boot to cover the connection. It seems to me unless you know the voltage rating of the soldering wire, then you probably shouldn't do it. Next question, IS soldering wire rated for a particular electrical load?
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Teresa... it's code down here to solder the connections. It's an extra step that really doesnt do a whole lot if you ask me, and it can make servicng the unit harder later on, but like I say, it's required in these parts. Anything in the weather is also required to have a UL rubber boot over the electrode connection as well.
I don't know for sure, but it may be part of the national code now, but it would be best to check with your local electrical inspector to see how he wants it done.
I didn't get on your other post, but since I'm posting now, I just want to say "Welcome to Letterville" too, while I'm at it. Hope you get something out of the experience here......I know I have.
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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I've seen them done a couple of times, but most times they're just twisted with boots. Like Jeff said, it surely would make servicing more of a pain down the road. I think I'd try to use this reasoning to talk the customer out of soldering. In all reality, unless it's required by code, nothing is going to be gained. Welcome.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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Thanks for the advice! It would be a bugger to run into that when servicing a sign. I didn't solder it for him, just used the listed boot. I referenced my UL book and nothing on soldering, just the loop and twist. I've earmarked it in case I'm asked again.
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We twist and boot everything as far as I know...I never see the soldering iron out for a standard sign assembly. It might not be rated for a high-voltage connection, I believe wire nuts are the same way (can you tell I don't do the assembly? haha). People just can't imagine that simply twisting the wire together is the most effective method, that's probably why he is requesting that you solder.
-------------------- Ryan Long Magic Light Neon Sign Co. Crawfordsville, IN Posts: 132 | From: Crawfordsville, IN | Registered: Jul 2005
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