We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Electrical

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Wire Wrapping Tool?

M. McGee
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,012
Share

A wire wrapping tool is a specially designed tool for making wrapped wire connections on a specific type of circuit board. Wrapped wire boards, called stripboards, look like a plastic board covered in small holes. Each of these holes has room for a wire connection. In order to put a wire in one of the holes, the installer needs a wire wrapping tool. There are three types of tools; electric, mechanical and manual tools. Each has certain advantages, and there are situations where each of them is the preferred tool.

Stripboards were a common method of making electronic connection before the invention of printed circuit boards. Since then, their use has dropped significantly in most areas. Even though a stripboard has firmer connections than most printed boards, their cost is also significantly higher. Now, these boards are usually only common in two places, prototype machines and telecommunications.

An electric and a mechanical tool appear very similar. They are shaped like a small gun with a post extension on the tip. In an electric tool, a small motor turns the post. In the mechanical wire wrapping tool, pulling the trigger causes a manual turn on the post. A manual wire wrapping tool is shaped like a pen; essentially, the entire tool is the post on the other two.

An electric tool is the most common style for the initial wire installation. In order to use a mechanical tool, the user threads the wire through the post, inserts it into a special socket and pulls the trigger. The motor quickly and tightly wraps the wire, creating a secure connection. The socket is then plugged into one of the holes on the board. Since an electric wire wrapping tool is so fast, it is generally used on new installations.

A mechanical tool works in nearly the same way as an electric wire wrapping tool. The biggest difference between the two is in the force and speed applied to the wrap. Since the mechanical tool uses hand pressure to create the wrap, a varying amount of force can be placed on a connection. On the other hand, the shape and mechanics make this tool nearly as fast as the electric version. This type of tool is common when very light adjustments need to be made quickly.

The last type of tool is completely manual. These tools are shaped like metal pens with a narrow post on one end. The actual process of threading the wire is the same, but to wrap it, the user simply spins the tool. This creates a less secure connection than the other tools and takes longer to use. The biggest advantage of a manual tool is its precision; in a complex system, a manual tool may be threaded through several layers of wires to access a specific connection.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
M. McGee
By M. McGee
Mark McGee is a skilled writer and communicator who excels in crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences. With a background in communication-related fields, he brings strong organizational and interpersonal skills to his writing, ensuring that his work is both informative and engaging.
Discussion Comments
M. McGee
M. McGee
Mark McGee is a skilled writer and communicator who excels in crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences....
Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-wire-wrapping-tool.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.