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Electricians, ECE majors, Makers and Tinkerers - need a little help

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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
So I'm rewiring a lil circuit and want to make sure I can de-assemble and re-assemble it in a new housing with longer wires.

This is the back of a 120v/10a KCD5 rocker switch. Any clue how to detach these? or should I just cut and use new lines? (id like to use a different switch all together) Im worried about those two connected in the heat shrink wrap, but are those just both linked to the same terminal? pls help.


+K for helpful answers. worst comes to worst I can splice the lines with extra length or replace the component all together. Like I said I'm replacing the toggle anyway







simply put- how do I detach these cables from the toggle so I can remove it from the panel?

(I'm a bit ashamed to be asking this considering my experience, but I've never dealt with a basic switch with weird ass connections like this, so sorry if this is question is full on)
Mar 13 2015 12:31AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
cut off the shrink wrap to get a better look at it. It doesnt look like a plug type connection. probably just bend it back and forth till it snaps an then re solder.
Mar 13 2015 12:38AM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,719
the wires are crimped onto metal tangs. should be able to pull them off just fine, maybe easier with the heat shrink removed.
Mar 13 2015 12:45AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
I'd take a razor knife and cut the heatshrink tubing off. The terminals themselves are likely just a flat blade with a hole in the center, the wires will have been passed through the hole and then soldered in place. To get the wires out it should be as simple as heating the solder up with an iron or gun and then pulling the wire out of the hole.
Mar 13 2015 12:46AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
VinnieFthe wires are crimped onto metal tangs. should be able to pull them off just fine, maybe easier with the heat shrink removed.


Ooo it could be this to. Hopefully it's a soldered connection but yeah I could see it being a crimped connection. Aha regardless the consensus is, is that the heat shrink has gotta go.
Mar 13 2015 12:49AM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,719
to visualize:

almost certain it would be this sort of thing attached to the wires




then crimped on to something like this




then covered in shrink wrap
Mar 13 2015 12:50AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
Aha holy shit I'm losing it tonight. 5000% sure it will be exactly as Vinnie posted above. I'm too used to soldering everything because airplanes, and not the simplicity and convenience of normal industrial electrical.
Mar 13 2015 12:58AM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
Awesome responses, gonna cut the shrink off and see what it looks like. Its just weird because theres so many different connectors between the components I keep worrying Ill break a terminal
Mar 13 2015 2:13AM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
ah perfect. this is exactly what I was hoping for. just soldered onto some terminals. I thought there was some sort of weird locking plug that inserted into it. thanks again.



anyone know a cheap easy shrink wrap method? I'm usually an electric tape kinda guy


Mar 13 2015 2:22AM
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corona
Posts: 12794 - Karma: 32,719
NinetyFourAha holy shit I'm losing it tonight. 5000% sure it will be exactly as Vinnie posted above. I'm too used to soldering everything because airplanes, and not the simplicity and convenience of normal industrial electrical.


you called it though.
Mar 13 2015 8:32AM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
Phil-X-ah perfect. this is exactly what I was hoping for. just soldered onto some terminals. I thought there was some sort of weird locking plug that inserted into it. thanks again.



anyone know a cheap easy shrink wrap method? I'm usually an electric tape kinda guy




If you use the push on connectors you don't technically need shrink wrap, just a little caution. If it's very important that you don't trip a breaker or blow a fuse it's a good idea to shrink or at least tape it. Shrink wrap is not too pricey though and makes it that much more proper
Mar 13 2015 8:54AM
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Scotty_B
Posts: 287 - Karma: 423
First Remove the wrap (looks like you've done that already)

Cut the connection around the middle w/ wire cutters or a pair of Linesmans

Re Solder when reassembling

Re-wrap with plastic shrink

"That was easy"

P.S. LABEL THE WIRES
Mar 13 2015 9:35AM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
Scotty_BFirst Remove the wrap (looks like you've done that already)

Cut the connection around the middle w/ wire cutters or a pair of Linesmans

Re Solder when reassembling

Re-wrap with plastic shrink

"That was easy"

P.S. LABEL THE WIRES


lol Ive already figure it out.. and why on earth would I cut the connection terminal off?? Im going to heat the flux up and pull it off the switch... no need to destroy the component lol
Mar 13 2015 2:04PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
Scotty_BP.S. LABEL THE WIRES


psh, wire labeling is for lib arts majors. Wiring diagrams ftw
Mar 13 2015 2:54PM
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Scotty_B
Posts: 287 - Karma: 423
Phil-X-psh, wire labeling is for lib arts majors. Wiring diagrams ftw


I wasn't really sure what kind of experience you had with this stuff so I wrote it out in layman's terms. Oh and watch that arrogance it might bite you in the ass one day.
Mar 15 2015 8:48PM
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connory998
Posts: 1197 - Karma: 34
Phil-X-anyone know a cheap easy shrink wrap method? I'm usually an electric tape kinda guy



Acquiring some shrink wrap will be the best way, if you know someone that might have some ask them for a piece, as you will only need a few inches. If not its pretty cheap. If you dont have a heat gun you can use a lighter or small tourch, just dont get too close & take your time to avoid melting the insulation on the wires.
Mar 15 2015 10:12PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
Scotty_BI wasn't really sure what kind of experience you had with this stuff so I wrote it out in layman's terms. Oh and watch that arrogance it might bite you in the ass one day.


u no I'm plyin b
Mar 16 2015 1:57PM
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