Repairing an encoder and tach cable

[gavztheouch]

I rencently moved a large cnc router, during the move someone has ripped both the encoder and tach cable on one of the motors with forklift tines. The cables are all colour coded so to make a quailty repair how would you do it? Replacing both cables would be the neatest way but it does involve a lot of time and money and im thinking it may not bring that many benifits over a solder repair. The encoder cable has about 14 wires to patch together, is there any down sides to soldering wires back together in terms of electrical shielding, I relise the outer sheilding will be missing and may have to make up for this one way or another. Maybe some aluminium foil tape or that copper stuff guitarists use to sheild their guitars.

[Web Goblin]

I would use shielded cable plug and socket if the joints not inside a drag chain.

[gavztheouch]

Why would you go for a plug and socket over a soldered joint?

[Web Goblin]

It looks much better than a lump in the cable especially if you are selling the machine on. Also it is better to stagger the joint if you are going to solder it but it does take a bit more work. Remember to fit the heatshrink to cover the outer cable if you are going down the solder route.

[John S]

Unless i'm missing something the pics don't show where the break is unless it's the second pic in which case just shorten the cable and solder back into the plug

[m_c]

If there is any flex in the cable, or it's subject to vibration, then a solder joint is not ideal and is likely to fracture over time.

A suitable crimp join (be that plug&socket or just crimps), should be far more reliable.