MICC / Pyro

[toasty]

What with all this talk of MICC/Pyro recently, I decided to treat myself to some. Should make for some decent projects.

I managed to get 100m of 3L1.5 orange coated off eBay for £120 delivered.

That's got to be a good price right? (please tell me it is!)

I've also bought the stripper tool (joistripper?) a pot crimper and the Tbar tool for screwing the pots on. Obviously got some pots, glands, clips etc.. too.

Pretty exciting stuff, just need to find a use for it now!

I'll post pictures of my first attempts at terminating the stuff, I'm sure that'll be a laugh!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I remember RF Lighting replying to a post some time ago, with a really could slide on this, maybe someone can remember it also and find the post or RF might be able to re post it, if he's about?

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Here is that post;

RF Lighting's guide to terminating MICC cable.

You will need:

From left to right: Pot (this one has an earth tail), pot seal, gland, potting compound, joistripper, pot crimper, stub sleeving, pliers.

Step 1:

Cut the cable off square. This can be done with a junior hacksaw, a ringing tool or sharp cable shears.

If the MICC is old, cut 100mm - 200mm off the end. The magnesium oxide is hygroscopic, and will have absorbed moisture.

You will not be able to get a joistripper started if the cable has been cut with sidecutters or pliers.

Step 2:

Start to strip the cable by turning the joistripper clockwise down the cable.

Step 3:

When you have stripped the cable to the desired length, lightly grip the cable with your pliers. Run the joistripper upto the pliers. This will give you a nice clean square cut.

Step 4:

Put the gland top, olive and gland bottom onto the cable. Do not tighten it up yet.

Step 5:

Screw the pot onto the cable until the sheath of the cable is flush with the bottom of the pot.

Be very careful not to twist the cable whilst screwing the pot on.

Then pull the wires slightly apart, and test the wire ends for shorts with an insulation tester.

Step 6:

Slightly over-fill the pot with potting compound. You should work it in a bit at a time from either side of the pot.

Use the backing paper from the compound to push it into place, being careful not to touch the compound, as this could contaminate it with grease / dirt, which could cause the pot to not properly insulate the end.

Step 7:

Slide the pot seal into place, making sure the wires are not twisted.

Step 8:

Insert the pot assembly into your pot crimper, making sure the three prongs on the crimper are between where the wires come through the seal.

Step 9:

Crimp the pot.

You can see in the second picture what I mean about lining the prongs up on the crimper between where the wires come through the seal.

Step 10:

Sleeve the wires with stub sleeving, and then carry out another insulation test to ensure the cable is fault free. You will then need to carry out a continuity test to give the cable it's polarity.

Step 11:

Slide the gland into place. You would normally tighten this up once the gland has been screwed into whatever the cable is being terminated into.

Step 12:

Go wash your hands. Magnesium oxide is poisonous, and must not be ingested.

and this is the whole thread;
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=196235&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

 

[toasty]

That's the one!
In fact it was this thread that I was reading the other day that made me decide to get some pyro.

Thanks RF!

 

[Spark123]

You can also get a potting tool for screwing the pots on, think RF just used pliers.
It is probably in the other thread as well that you should fill the compound from one side only.

 

[toasty]

Nice!
Yep, I ordered the potting tool, probably a luxury item, but should make for a nicer finish.

Thanks all for the advice.

 

[streetlighter]

Did some pyro a couple of weeks ago to replace the supply to wall mounted lanterns on a public building. Was the first time in ages i had used Pyro cable.

 

[londonboy]

I was taught to put the compound in from one side only?

 

[RF Lighting]

You can also get a potting tool for screwing the pots on, think RF just used pliers.

Since writing that guide, I've bought my self a pot wrench.

I say bought. I'm from Yorkshire.

I headed into my workshop with a 20mm coupler, a couple of M6 bolts and a heavy M10 washer

 

[jaysean1]

reading that was just like being at tech, the good old days!!!

 

[SparkyNinja]

I was taught to put the compound in from one side only?

Which is correct.




Probably also worth mentioning the importace of NOT blowing away the magnesium oxide as well.

 

[londonboy]

I was taught to put the compound in from one side only?

Which is correct.




Probably also worth mentioning the importace of NOT blowing away the magnesium oxide as well.

So does that mean the great pyro lover RF shouldnt have put 'working it from both sides' in his guide?

 

[electronicsuk]

I was taught to put the compound in from one side only?

Which is correct.

Exactly why does it make any difference whether the compound is filled from one or both sides? As long as it is properly compressed and there are no air gaps, there isn't a problem.

 

[londonboy]

I was taught to put the compound in from one side only?

Which is correct.

Exactly why does it make any difference whether the compound is filled from one or both sides? As long as it is properly compressed and there are no air gaps, there isn't a problem.

Because if your fill it from both sides you end up with an air bubble in the middle