Cable Solder Ability Test

Electrical conductors are often soldered to a contact point. As the solder is a means of ensuring a complete electrical connection, the solder will also protect the conductor from oxidisation at the point of contact. as such, a test to determine whether the conductor is suitable for soldering is required, with IEC 60245-2 determining the test parameters.

The bare ends of the cable must first be immersed in a pickling bath containing a solution of zinc chloride and water (where ZnCl is 10% of the total mass) at an ambient temperature for a 10 second period.

This is followed by the test piece being immersed in the solder bath over a length of 50mm in the direction of its longitudinal axis. The speed of immersion is controlled at 25mm/s ± 5mm/s, with the duration of immersion in the solder bath timed at 5s ±0.5s. Similarly, the speed of emergence is 25mm/s +5mm/s.

A total of 3 immersions in the solder bath must be completed to meet the test requirements, with an interval lasting 10 seconds is observed from the start of one immersion in the solder bath to the start of the subsequent immersions.

The test temperature must be strictly controlled throughout the process using a digital temperature controller. A visual inspection to determine whether the cable is properly tinned is conducted after the 3 immersions, with a pass / fail determined accordingly.