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Meta Are questions about proper cable repair on-topic?

Lundin's answer notes: I just realized that the on-topic page https://electrical.codidact.com/help/topics doesn't address electronics assembly. It does now. I just added: Physical construction ...

posted 4y ago by Olin Lathrop‭  ·  edited 4y ago by Olin Lathrop‭

Answer
#2: Post edited by user avatar Olin Lathrop‭ · 2020-11-24T16:25:55Z (about 4 years ago)
  • Lundin's answer notes:
  • <blockquote>I just realized that the on-topic page https://electrical.codidact.com/help/topics doesn't address electronics assembly.</blockquote>
  • It does now. I just added:
  • <blockquote>Physical construction of circuits or electrical products, within limits. This is generally on topic when there is some engineering aspect, or engineering tradeoffs that need to be made to accommodate manufacturing processes. If an electrical engineer needs to be aware of it, or needs to specify it to manufacturing, then it is on topic. How to wire a light socket in your house, for example, is off topic.</blockquote>
  • We can't possibly define the line in every gray area. I can't tell just from your brief description whether your automotive cable question would be on topic or not. The more the answers can be based on electrical engineering and physics, the better.
  • I'd say go ahead and give it a try and see how it's received and the quality of answers it solicits. We might end up editing the question a bit. Worst case, we close it altogether if that's the consensus. This site is young, and we need to figure out what is allowed.
  • Lundin's answer notes:
  • <blockquote>I just realized that the on-topic page https://electrical.codidact.com/help/topics doesn't address electronics assembly.</blockquote>
  • It does now. I just added:
  • <blockquote>Physical construction of circuits or electrical products, within limits. This is generally on topic when there is some engineering aspect, or engineering tradeoffs that need to be made to accommodate manufacturing processes. If an electrical engineer needs to be aware of it, or needs to specify it to manufacturing, then it is on topic. How to wire a light socket in your house, for example, is off topic.</blockquote>
  • We can't possibly define the line in every gray area. I can't tell just from your brief description whether your automotive cable question would be on topic or not. The more the answers can be based on electrical engineering and physics, the better.
  • I'd say go ahead and give it a try and see how it's received and the quality of answers it solicits. We might end up editing the question a bit. Worst case, we close it altogether if that's the consensus. This site is young, and we need to figure out what is allowed.
  • <hr>
  • @manassehkatz‭ said in a comment to another answer:
  • <blockquote>Either way, it fits here and hobbyists should not be discouraged.</blockquote>
  • I agree that hobbyist questions are not necessarily off topic. The more general case is low-level questions. Questions that ask about the basics are OK. This site is for learning.
  • However, the question must be about engineering, the underlying physics, the technology, etc, and about trying to learn the concepts. We don't tolerate <i>"gimme da anser"</i> questions where there is no interest in learning. For example:
  • <b>Bad:</b> What type of solder should I use for my hobby project?
  • <b>Good:</b> I am trying to find what type of solder to use for my hobby project. I see various types, like 60/40, eutectic, and lead-free. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each type. For do-it-yourself, what characteristics should I be specifically looking for?
#1: Initial revision by user avatar Olin Lathrop‭ · 2020-11-24T14:55:00Z (about 4 years ago)
Lundin's answer notes:

<blockquote>I just realized that the on-topic page https://electrical.codidact.com/help/topics doesn't address electronics assembly.</blockquote>

It does now.  I just added:

<blockquote>Physical construction of circuits or electrical products, within limits. This is generally on topic when there is some engineering aspect, or engineering tradeoffs that need to be made to accommodate manufacturing processes. If an electrical engineer needs to be aware of it, or needs to specify it to manufacturing, then it is on topic. How to wire a light socket in your house, for example, is off topic.</blockquote>

We can't possibly define the line in every gray area.  I can't tell just from your brief description whether your automotive cable question would be on topic or not.  The more the answers can be based on electrical engineering and physics, the better.

I'd say go ahead and give it a try and see how it's received and the quality of answers it solicits.  We might end up editing the question a bit.  Worst case, we close it altogether if that's the consensus.  This site is young, and we need to figure out what is allowed.