Wiring harnesses are manufactured on a machine. Wiring harness issues can occur if the device is not well maintained or the technician uses incorrect settings. Some
FREMONT, CA: A wiring harness is a tightly wound bundle of individual wires, each with its outer jacket for protection. Instead of placing each wire one at a time, this bundle can be dropped into an electrical system to facilitate and speed up the installation process significantly. Wiring harnesses, because of their compact construction, reduce movement and abrasion, prevent short-outs, and extend the lifespan of an electrical assembly compared to a group of individual wires. Despite the numerous advantages, wiring harness issues can arise.
Let us look at some common wiring harness problems:
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Manufacturing Mistakes
Wiring harnesses are manufactured on a machine. Wiring harness issues can occur if the machine is not well maintained or the technician uses incorrect settings. Some of the most common manufacturing errors arise from improper wire layout, poor connection to the harness chassis, or the design's complexity. Defective crimping or soldering is another common and serious problem in the manufacture of wiring harnesses. Every electrical connection is a point of failure. This risk increases significantly if the crimping or soldering work is performed by an inexperienced technician who uses the incorrect application technique or fails to execute the skill correctly.
Low-Quality Materials
The adage "you get what you pay for" could not be more accurate regarding wiring harness issues. Budgets often dictate purchasing decisions, and when they do, teams will often choose low-cost materials like copper alloy over OEM-grade copper for critical components like wiring and terminals. The overmolding material utilized to protect the wiring harness from the elements is even more critical. Inadequate overmolding is caused in part by poor design processes, which should consider environmental factors when developing products.
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