Assortment of cables?!

[Gaogier]

Hello

Just a random post, not sure if it’s the correct place or not.

So I am repairing some bits and bobs, and I have got items working and running again, like soldering broken wires from a battery compartment to the board controlling whatever the item I am repairing.

So, to do this, I am having to use other cables to from other products (cannibalising). To keep doing this, it’s mostly “cheap” items that my niece accidentally breaks from one of her toys. Some wires are very thin, others are thicker and mixing and matching isn’t ideal.

So, I am after a few feet of different types of cables, so I can get all of her products fixed, and back being used so I can sort bits out.


Random question, is it safe to use a screw that is not apart of a plug socket, you know you get the silver flat screws for light switches to sockets, and use wood screws instead?

 

[mattylad]

Wood screws are not the right ones for use in plugs etc.
They need to be something like an M3 machine screw, if you cannot find the correct screw then it would be better to simply replace the entire plug/switch as otherwise it could lead to the wires falling out or having a loose connection which could cause a fire.

 

[Gaogier]

Exactly my thought, I am not allowed to change over this socket as I need to be a registered electrician.

We have had maybe 10 electricians over the past few years who have seen and unscrewed this socket and they have not replaced the screws.

I keep seeing this socket and keep thinking is this safe/okay… the back box needs replacing, as there is no screw bracket for any correct screws to screw into, what the election has done (I think) has drilled two holes into the wall, wall plugged the holes then screwed the socket into it. Why?? Our hot water tank fell through the attic, and all the water flooded and damaged our walls, with water running for days before it was turned off(we went on holiday and neighbours were meant to check the house bi-daily. so some parts of the house the bricks, plastering fell off and are crumbling. So he pumped the wall with some glue else half the kitchen wall will come down.

Anyway, I am not sure where I can get a bundle of assorted cables for fixing bits and bobs, example fixing wired headphones, a LED magnifier, fairy lights.

 

[FrodoOne]

So I am repairing some bits and bobs, and I have got items working and running again, like soldering broken wires from a battery compartment to the board controlling whatever the item I am repairing.

So, to do this, I am having to use other cables to from other products (cannibalising). To keep doing this, it’s mostly “cheap” items that my niece accidentally breaks from one of her toys. Some wires are very thin, others are thicker and mixing and matching isn’t ideal.

So, I am after a few feet of different types of cables, so I can get all of her products fixed, and back being used so I can sort bits out.

Not sure if this will suit your needs - you wrote "Cable" but you may mean "Insulated Wire".
(See https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006039195075.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.6fbe353a6G4JBg&algo_pvid=78de5dc4-29ce-43b6-9b51-cae276dff673&algo_exp_id=78de5dc4-29ce-43b6-9b51-cae276dff673-0&pdp_npi=4@dis!AUD!27.75!13.88!!!18.04!9.02!@2103243417165245431127925eef82!12000035438269685!sea!AU!3729617017!&curPageLogUid=kVSVwc2w2ucN&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from: )
#18 AWG is 0.823 mm² and "rated" (in the USA) at 10 A.

Other "Assorted Wire" (in various "gauges") is available at
https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholes...g0o.productlist.auto_suggest.1.6591BcaOBcaOYx

("Cable" can be obtained in cut lengths from "Hardware Stores".)

The item below can be useful for low current "electronic projects".
However, it is quite "stiff".
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003532697726.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.49.6fbe353alErJTw&algo_pvid=ac847b9d-ed5f-47fe-ac12-cdd605c2f36a&algo_exp_id=ac847b9d-ed5f-47fe-ac12-cdd605c2f36a-24&pdp_npi=4@dis!AUD!8.15!8.15!!!5.30!5.30!@2101c5ac17165254408315058e9e7d!12000026196722925!sea!AU!3729617017!&curPageLogUid=aM0KUXKp8ZAV&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from:

Since you are soldering, you may find it useful to have a "kit" of "Heat Shrink Tubing".

(See https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005291118320.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.65123ac15WDqjD&algo_pvid=fc1b37e0-287e-4eaa-a18b-6e4738be89c2&algo_exp_id=fc1b37e0-287e-4eaa-a18b-6e4738be89c2-1&pdp_npi=4@dis!AUD!10.57!10.57!!!6.87!6.87!@210307c117165258217534139e3656!12000032511620291!sea!AU!3729617017!&curPageLogUid=D5E4RjjjTrR7&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from: )


If you order a "group" of these items at the same time. it is likely that you will be charged only a single €2 postage fee - or its equivalent.
(VAT will be added to the published price at "checkout".)

 

[Taylortwocities]

Exactly my thought, I am not allowed to change over this socket as I need to be a registered electrician

You don't have to be a registered electrician. Its a DIY job.

Socket fixing screws are M3.5 x 0.6 thread. You can buy them from anywhere from B&Q upwards. If the threads on the back box are shot, you can usually fix them with a rethreader, like this https://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-re-threader-m3-5-x-0-6mm/105xg

 

[securespark]

A photo of the casualty would be helpful.

 

[Gaogier]

You don't have to be a registered electrician. Its a DIY job.

Socket fixing screws are M3.5 x 0.6 thread. You can buy them from anywhere from B&Q upwards. If the threads on the back box are shot, you can usually fix them with a rethreader, like this https://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-re-threader-m3-5-x-0-6mm/105xg

Hello, yeah a standard socket I am happy to replace/fix. The socket in question is in the kitchen, it is a socket/switch for my electric (I think it was induction for a few days) hob as we had to half upgrade our kitchen to make it safe for me to cook, we had a temporary hob for a few days as our electric hob arrived broken. We have had issues with the socket from day 1 too, and ended up switching back to gas, but the switch still powers the oven, I think it’s RCD fuse… but it is a 45amp socket, and the last electrician who came here said it’s a job for a qualified electrician which he will book it in to get replaced over a year ago now. Landlord doesn’t care about it, or its safety of the electrical stuff in this house. I need power here, I am disabled and require electricity to provide my medical equipment, and the power went and couldn’t turn it back on, an emergency electrical person should of been called, land lord said to wire up an extension lead, bypassing the fuse board and have things running off that. (It’s social housing btw).

Not sure if this will suit your needs - you wrote "Cable" but you may mean "Insulated Wire".
(See https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006039195075.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.6fbe353a6G4JBg&algo_pvid=78de5dc4-29ce-43b6-9b51-cae276dff673&algo_exp_id=78de5dc4-29ce-43b6-9b51-cae276dff673-

Yes, I think, by cable I mean copper wire covered in a rubbery flexible plastic.

0&pdp_npi=4@dis!AUD!27.75!13.88!!!18.04!9.02!@2103243417165245431127925eef82!12000035438269685!sea!AU!3729617017!&curPageLogUid=kVSVwc2w2ucN&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from: )
#18 AWG is 0.823 mm² and "rated" (in the USA) at 10 A.

Other "Assorted Wire" (in various "gauges") is available at

https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholes...g0o.productlist.auto_suggest.1.6591BcaOBcaOYx

("Cable" can be obtained in cut lengths from "Hardware Stores".)

I only know of 1 hardware store that is independent who I haven’t been to in 6+ years, who may sell some, I found another hardware store last week but they didn’t have anything like what I need.

So, I am after Gauges, which means different thickness of copper inside the cable, more copper = more Amp in general correct?

I am after, say a 13a extension lead thickness or gauge, all the way to say fine headphone cable which has only 5 strands of copper… is this correct? If so, thank you I now know what I meant and how to communicate this to my mum who will probably know exactly what I have been trying to work out the last few weeks since the squirrels eat through some outdoor lighting systems. And I can finally get it all fixed and have some spare for future breakages of my nieces electrical toys.

The item below can be useful for low current "electronic projects".

However, it is quite "stiff".
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003532697726.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.49.6fbe353alErJTw&algo_pvid=ac847b9d-ed5f-47fe-ac12-cdd605c2f36a&algo_exp_id=ac847b9d-ed5f-47fe-ac12-cdd605c2f36a-24&pdp_npi=4@dis!AUD!8.15!8.15!!!5.30!5.30!@2101c5ac17165254408315058e9e7d!12000026196722925!sea!AU!3729617017!&curPageLogUid=aM0KUXKp8ZAV&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from:

If this is what I think it is, it will come handy in many cases, thank you.

Since you are soldering, you may find it useful to have a "kit" of "Heat Shrink Tubing".


(See https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005291118320.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.65123ac15WDqjD&algo_pvid=fc1b37e0-287e-4eaa-a18b-6e4738be89c2&algo_exp_id=fc1b37e0-287e-4eaa-a18b-6e4738be89c2-1&pdp_npi=4@dis!AUD!10.57!10.57!!!6.87!6.87!@210307c117165258217534139e3656!12000032511620291!sea!AU!3729617017!&curPageLogUid=D5E4RjjjTrR7&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from: )


If you order a "group" of these items at the same time. it is likely that you will be charged only a single €2 postage fee - or its equivalent.
(VAT will be added to the published price at "checkout".)

Yeah, I already have loads of these, but not used the ones with solder inside, are they better?


Btw, I am Autistic and disabled, trying to put what I mean into loud words (spoken) isn’t easy, typing it here, hoping someone works out what I am after, puts it into real English and terminology allows my mum to know what is what and then can teach and help me learn. So, thank you.

 

[FrodoOne]

Re: Shrink Wrap.

Yeah, I already have loads of these, but not used the ones with solder inside, are they better?

I have never used them.


Wires on the site referred to are usually described in terms of American Wire Gauge (AWG).

Please be aware that the
larger the AWG size number is the
smaller is the diameter of the wire.

(A Chart can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_wire_gauge )