Hello everyone,

I'm working on an Arduino MIDI foot controller project similar to the one shown in this video. At the 3:14 mark, the creator starts using uncovered copper wire to connect the buttons, but later on, at 3:56, he switches to covered wire.

I'm curious about why uncovered copper wire was used initially. Could anyone explain the reasoning behind this? Is it related to grounding, signal integrity, or something else?

 

Looks to me the person is using magnet wire for common connections between components. Soldering the wire will remove the insulation during the soldering operation, so it's likely just a time saving (vs stripping the signal wiring one by one) step with no special electrical reasoning.

 

Looks to me the person is using magnet wire for common connections between components. Soldering the wire will remove the insulation during the soldering operation, so it's likely just a time saving (vs stripping the signal wiring one by one) step with no special electrical reasoning.

Got it, thanks for the clarification!

So, just to make sure I understand correctly: The cable I'm seeing in the video is likely insulated, as it's magnet wire. I initially thought it was bare copper due to its appearance, which led me to ask the question. But as you mentioned, it's actually insulated, and only the sections that are soldered become uninsulated during the soldering process right ?

Now, just to follow up on that, what if someone were to use a wire that isn't insulated at all, meaning completely bare copper? Would that be a good idea in this kind of setup ( as shown in the video)?

Thanks again for your help!

 

Got it, thanks for the clarification!

So, just to make sure I understand correctly: The cable I'm seeing in the video is likely insulated, as it's magnet wire. I initially thought it was bare copper due to its appearance, which led me to ask the question. But as you mentioned, it's actually insulated, and only the sections that are soldered become uninsulated during the soldering process right ?

Now, just to follow up on that, what if someone were to use a wire that isn't insulated at all, meaning completely bare copper? Would that be a good idea in this kind of setup ( as shown in the video)?

Thanks again for your help!

Do you think it's a good idea?

 

View attachment 329121
View attachment 329122

Do you think it's a good idea?

An intuitive answer would be a firm no— Why would we want to short circuit the cables ? ( Assuming the copper you showed me is uninsulated )

 

Uncovered copper wire is often used in MIDI foot controller builds for several reasons:

1. Cost and Availability: Uncovered copper wire is typically less expensive and readily available compared to insulated wire. This makes it a cost-effective choice for DIY projects.

2. Simplicity in Design: Using uncovered copper wire simplifies the design and assembly process. It reduces the need for stripping insulation, which can be particularly useful in intricate or compact builds.

3. Flexibility and Customization: Uncovered wire can be easily shaped and routed, allowing for more flexibility in design. It can be manually bent and positioned to fit specific layouts within the foot controller.

4. Electrical Conductivity: Copper provides excellent electrical conductivity, ensuring reliable signal transmission. In a MIDI foot controller, maintaining high-quality connections is crucial for accurate signal processing.

5. Soldering Ease: Uncovered copper wire is easier to solder, which is essential in creating robust and durable connections in electronic circuits.

However, it's important to ensure that the wire is properly managed and insulated where necessary to prevent short circuits and other issues.

Thanks for ChatGPT reponse, mate . However, I could have easily asked AI for answers. There's a reason I came to this forum instead of relying on ChatGPT directly. No offense, but your reply is just ChatGPT prompt. The reason I prefer asking real people here is because I'm looking for expertise that AI can't provide...
Is there an admin here who could please monitor these AI reponses accounts?

 

Is there an admin here who could please monitor these AI responses accounts?

Hi,
AI speak, is already on the Moderation radar, and such cases will receive the appropriate action.

Moderation.

 

View attachment 329121
View attachment 329122

Do you think it's a good idea?

Looks horrible to me.
The bare copper wire looks like an attempt to make a Faraday cage....

 

Looks to me the person is using magnet wire for common connections between components. Soldering the wire will remove the insulation during the soldering operation, so it's likely just a time saving (vs stripping the signal wiring one by one) step with no special electrical reasoning.

Hello Sir, going back to our previous discussion: just to clarify, is the type of wire being used here referred to as 'enameled copper wire'?

 

Hello Sir, going back to our previous discussion: just to clarify, is the type of wire being used here referred to as 'enameled copper wire'?

Yes.
Polyurethane-enameled magnet wire.
https://www.remingtonindustries.com/content/Polyurethane Magnet Wire Data Sheet.pdf

Then you have heat resistant insulation that needs to be stripped before soldering.
https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/is-radio-shack-wire-wrap-wire-the-same-as-kynar.171898/