# Fred # wrote:
"HeyBub" wrote in message
...
Pop` wrote:
Kind of silly I suppose, but I was just wondering:

1. Does code allow soldering for residential wiring where you live?
2. Where do you live?

Please, I'm not trying to start a debate over the
science/physics/howto's of soldering or its relative pros/cons.

There are no "pros." Some "cons" that come to mind a

1. Skill required,
2. Extra equipment,
3. Need source of electricity,
4. Too easy to do it wrong,
5. Too easy to mistake a solder joint for a physical connection,
6. Deadly fumes,
7. Extra expense,
8. Extra labor

Heck, after looking over my list, soldering should be outlawed!


Actually if I wired up my own house I would not hesitate to use
solder. Its just make the connections stronger, less resistance and
reliable if its done right.

"If it's done right." It is easy to mistake a solder-only joint for a
physical joint that's soldered. Lay one wire atop another and join with
solder. Electrical connectivity is great, but the joint has no stuctural
strength. As to resistance and reliability, when both are done right, there
is no difference between a solder joint and a wire-nut joint.

Those two being equal, the choice comes down to other factors: Ease of
"doing it right," expense, tools, power, noxious fumes, equipment,
experience, time and labor, etc.

Over the years I've seen mechanical
joints failed much more than mechanical joints with solder. You have
solder used on copper pipes that outlasted the pipes itself. You have
silver solder on the bike joints (light steel tube with tensile
strength somewhere around 150,000psi) that would take a fair amount
of stresses. And there would not be any electricity generated without
solder.

Granted, soldering copper pipes works well (it has to). But why are copper
pipes being replaced (union rules permitting) with plastic? And racing bikes
cost 100 times more than a Schwinn, perhaps because of the soldering?