The day I stopped wrapping wires around screw terminals

I used to be the guy who wrapped cannon plug wires around screw terminals before soldering. Did it for ten years, taught it to apprentices, thought it was the only way to make a solid connection. Then last March I was rewiring a 1978 Cessna 172 at our hangar in Wichita and the terminal block had zero room for my usual wrap. Out of frustration I tried the NASA spec method with the straight insert and locking bend instead. Tested it with a pull gauge and the contact held stronger than any of my old wraps. Been doing it that way ever since and my rework rate dropped by almost half. Has anybody else switched their terminal technique later in their career or am I the last guy to figure this out?

2 comments

2 Comments

alex_johnson13d ago

Is it funny how we stick with what we know even when better ways are right there?

nancy_ross13d ago

Tbh @alex_johnson you're hitting on something real. Like I still use the same old coffee maker even though I know pour over would taste better just because I'm used to the routine. It's the same with my phone apps I keep using the old ones even when new ones are clearly faster. We get comfortable and change feels like a hassle even when it's better.