[Elecraft] OT: APP strain relief

[Don Wilhelm]

Knut,

If you are referring to the flexing of the wire out the back of the APP 
connector, that is a valid concern if you move things around 
frequently.  Actually, I have had no problems even with #18 wire.
Stay away from the epoxy unless you want it to flow onto the contact 
area and render the connector useless - Hot Melt glue would be a better 
solution because it does not flow easily.  I would suggest a few layers 
of heat shrink on the wire with a last large diameter heat shrink pushed 
over the back of the APP connector.

If you have no fuses in that distribution box, I would highly recommend 
inserting in-line fuses in the smaller gauge wires.  You are not 
protecting the equipment, but you are protecting the wire in the event 
of a fault.  If the wire cannot carry the full current of your supply 
for a substantial time, then fuse it.  I fuse #16 and #18 wire at 10 
amps.  #12 and #14 wire will likely be OK with a power source of 35 amps 
or less, but I would recommend fuses on any larger supply, and 
definitely fuse any battery, they can let out a LOT of current.

Safety first and you can keep hamming for a long time.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/24/2013 5:20 PM, ab2tc wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have recently converted more or less completely to Anderson Power Poles
> for all my power supply needs. I use an 8-way "hub" from Powerwerx as my
> "distribution center". No fuses as the switching power supplies are current
> limited and probably failsafe in the event of most electrical component
> failures. For the big stuff, radios with #12 power wires I am not  worried
> about the lack of strain relief on the connectors. But for the flimsy power
> cables supplied with accessories like my KAT500, LP-100A, Lantronix serial
> servers I am. Has anybody found a good solution for this? Should I just fill
> the back of the connectors with epoxy or is there a better way?
>
> Knut - AB2TC
>
>
>
> --
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