High temperature terminations

Thread Starter

inwo

Joined Nov 7, 2013
2,419
I've been consulted for an oven problem.
Melting connections.

Oven has a number of 650 watt ceramic elements over a conveyer.

Above the heaters is a sheet metal shield with ventilation top and bottom to outdoors.

I mention this, as first assumption is, area above shield is lower than the 400C operating air temp below.

Heaters are interconnected with aluminum buss bars ~1/8" X 3/4".
Plain cad plated hardware to brass terminals and steel? (magnetic) wire.

First thoughts are to clean aluminum surfaces and use stainless hardware.

As an electrician, I like to use oxide inhibitor on aluminum.
I don't know the temp. limitations.

Until oven is operating I won't know temp. above the heating area. I'll have to assume 400C . Same as set temperature.

Some wires are loose in the factory crimped terminals.
The wire actually wiggles inside the brass crimp. (2nd picture)
Once corroded I don't know if there is a solution. Silver solder/brass?
I guess brass is out if terminals are brass.:p
A could use plated steel terminals and braze.

Also thinking of copper buss or an overlay of bare copper #10awg.
If I start mixing cu. and al. there will be issues.:eek:
 

Attachments

Last edited:
Top