- 1). Strip the ends of the insulated wires to reveal ¾ of an inch of the bare copper wire, using the wire strippers.
- 2). Twist the bare copper ends together to form a mechanical joint, using the wire pliers.
- 3). Wet a sponge so it is damp but not dripping. Plug the soldering iron into a wall outlet. Allow the iron to heat up to temperature for a few minutes. Touch the end of the iron to the damp sponge; it should sizzle. This also cleans the tip of the iron.
- 4). Unroll the solder so you have approximately one foot of the strand of solder to work with, and touch the end of the solder to the end of the iron. Coat the tip of the iron in fresh solder. This is called tinning the iron. It will help to conduct heat, but it is not the solder that will comprise the joint.
- 5). Touch the tip of the hot iron to the center of the twisted wire joint. Allow the tip to heat the wires for five to ten seconds. Touch the end of the strand of solder to the bare wires, not the iron. The solder will begin to flow into the wire joint.
- 6). Stop feeding the solder into the wire joint when you observe solder flowing from the wires and it forms a drip. Then pull the iron from the freshly soldered joint. Allow the joint to cool for one to two minutes without disturbing it.
- 7). Cover the newly soldered wire joint with a couple of rounds of the electrical tape to insulate the new connection.
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