old electrical wire

Paul Janke · Jul 14, 2013

Some of the old woven fabric covered electric wire for houses has a white metal coating on the individual conductors. What is that metal? Why is it there? Maybe to retard corrosion? This is mostly 12 and 14 gauge wires that I am scrapping.

Janicholson · Jul 14, 2013

Probably tin. Tin was often used to reduce corrosion, and to allow easy soldering. It should not harm the scrap value. Jim

dr sportster · Jul 14, 2013

It is tin which was to make the soldering easier back when the code allowed solder connections. Thats some ols wire.

dr sportster · Jul 14, 2013

The " cloth" is long fiber asbestos. You might not want to deal with that if you plan on stripping it.

Tim Barnes · Jul 14, 2013

(quoted from post at 16:37:09 07/14/13) The " cloth" is long fiber asbestos. You might not want to deal with that if you plan on stripping it.

portster is correct on the dangers of stripping old fiber insulation. Wear a good respirator, not just a paper dust mask. It will get on your clothes also. Make sure you dispose of the insulation properly.

Bus Driver · Jul 14, 2013

The tin did aid soldering. But that was not the main reason for the tin. The primary insulation was rubber with the cloth. Copper deteriorates rubber rapidly. The tin was to isolate the copper and the rubber.

old electrical wire

Paul Janke

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Janicholson

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dr sportster

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dr sportster

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Tim Barnes

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Bus Driver

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