Wire connectors: varieties; other methods of fastening parts of an electrical cable together

A well-performed wiring installation is the key to safety and uninterrupted power supply. There are many different ways you can use your cable. The most popular and modern method is the use of wire connectors. Before deciding on something specific, you need to understand the types of switching, evaluate their advantages and disadvantages.

Removing the insulating cover

In order to properly connect the wires together, you first need to free them from the insulation layer. This is a required process when using any of the methods. Cleaning can be done with a plumber's knife. This is a simple procedure, but there is a high probability of damage to the conductor.

To do everything properly, you must strictly adhere to step by step instructions:

1. Place the wire on a stable, level surface.
2. Fix it securely.
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3. Take a knife with your free hand and press it slightly into the insulating layer of the cable. To avoid damaging the metal base, position the cutter at a slight angle. If the angle is 90 degrees, there is a high probability of a core cut, as a result of which the wire will break.
4. Make an incision along the diameter of the conductor, scrolling the latter in a circle under the edge of the knife.
5. Remove the insulating shell.

Today, in the arsenal of professionals, there is a device called a stripper - a multifunctional device with which you can remove insulation from a wire. They are simple, semi-automatic and automatic.

Its main advantage is that it excludes damage to the conductive core during operation. This is due to the presence of calibrated holes with a cutting part in the device, adapted to the standard dimensions of the cores. For each of the methods of connecting the wires, a different stripping length is required.

Advantages and disadvantages of twisting

One of the most famous and ancient ways is twisting. This method is popularly referred to as “grandfather's”. Today this switching option is prohibited by special regulatory documents, although 40-50 years ago it was popular and was used everywhere. The fact is that then the main load on the power grid was carried out by the TV, refrigerator and lighting. Considering that today the load on the power grid is much higher due to the use of a variety of household appliances, this method is no longer relevant.

It should be noted that stranding is the basis of such switching methods as soldering and welding. One of the main advantages of the method is the absence of additional financial costs. All that is required for the job is a sharp knife to remove the insulating cover and pliers to join.

Another advantage is ease of implementation. Even a novice master can perform such manipulations; special knowledge is not required. With the help of twisting, you can connect from 2 to 6 wires at the same time.

The disadvantage is low strength, because over time, the connections weaken. This is due to the deformation of the wire cores. In places of twisting, the transition resistance increases, which entails heating and destruction of the contact. In the best case, the owner will find and redo the work in time, in the worst case, a fire may occur.

This method cannot be used to switch wires made of different metals; as an exception, it is possible to carry out twisting copper and aluminum cable, but first you should tin the copper wire with solder.

In electrics, there are several concepts of connections: detachable and one-piece. This method cannot be attributed to any of the above. Split ends are characterized by the ability to separate the ends. In twisting, this cannot be done, because the veins will deteriorate after each twist / unwind. One-piece joints have a certain stability, strength and reliability, which is also not the case with twisted joints.

If, for some specific reason, it is not possible to use other methods of switching wires, twisting can be used, only it is necessary to carry it out with high quality. Often this option is used temporarily and then replaced with a more reliable one.

Pros and cons of soldering

Soldering is a method of connecting an electrical cable with molten solder. This method is most suitable for copper wires. Today there are various means for aluminum, but experienced craftsmen recommend refraining from this type of soldering.

If necessary, you can use special fluxes and even combine aluminum with copper. This type of switching is much more reliable than twisting, with its help both single-core and multi-core wires can be contacted. In addition, you can work with conductors of different cross-sections.

It should be noted that this type of switching does not require any special maintenance during operation. Soldering is characterized by a low cost, for work you will need a soldering iron, as well as solder and flux. The latter are inexpensive in specialty stores. The consumption of these materials is minimal.

The disadvantage is the high complexity of the method. Immediately before connecting, the wires must be twisted, pre-tinned. All surfaces must be clean and free of oxides.

In addition, the craftsman needs to have some experience with the soldering iron. During soldering, it is important to maintain the temperature regime: it is difficult to carry out a high-quality connection, overheating is also unacceptable, because in this case the flux will quickly burn out, not having time act.

Soldering is a lengthy process, but this disadvantage is compensated by the strength of the contact connection. Step by step instructions forfulfillmentworks:

1. Remove the insulating layer of the cores by 4-5 cm.
2. It is good to clean the bare areas with sandpaper.
3. Treat a well-heated soldering iron with rosin, and then pass it along the cleaned sections of the cable.
4. Twist the wires.
5. Pick up the solder with a soldering iron and process the twist so that the molten tin fills the gaps between the twisted wires. Carry out such manipulations throughout the entire section of the cable, and then let it cool well. Wipe the solder with alcohol and insulate well.

Positive and negative sides of welding

This method of connecting wires to each other is the most preferable, because it meets all the requirements in terms of strength and quality. Welding is based on contact heating of the ends of the cores with a carbon electrode until a ball is formed. The latter is obtained by connecting the ends of the wire, providing a safe and durable contact. In addition, during operation, it will not oxidize and weaken.

The disadvantage of this method is the need to have certain knowledge and special tools. Because of this, people often entrust such work to experienced specialists. To carry out welding work, you will need some materials and tools:

• welding machine with output voltage up to 24 V;
• carbon or graphite electrode;
• special glasses;
• gloves;
• stripper or knife for cleaning conductors from insulation;
• sandpaper;
• insulating tape.

First, you need to free the conductors from the insulating layer by 6-7 cm, clean them with sandpaper. Twist the wires, then attach the grounding pliers at the end. Lightly touch the cores with the electrode until a contact ball is formed. Allow the product to cool down and insulate it.

The welding process does not take much time, as a result, an almost one-piece structure is obtained, the contact has a minimum transition resistance. If copper adapters are connected in this way, a carbon-copper electrode must be used.

Twisting, soldering and welding are the main types of wire connections. In addition, there are several methods that are not used very often, but are also characterized by strength and quality.

Application of crimping

To use this method, you need to purchase special sleeves or ferrules, with which the cable is crimped and crimped. The bottom line is the simultaneous deformation of the conductors and the sleeve: when the latter is compressed, pressure is exerted on the conductive cores. As a result, mutual adhesion occurs, which ensures the strength of the contact.

The advantages of such switching are reliability and no maintenance work. However, in addition to the pros, there are also disadvantages of this method: the need to use special tools that not every owner has (a press for crimping or special pliers). In addition, the quality of the commutation is directly proportional to the size of the sleeve - it should be selected depending on the cross-section of the conductors and their number.

Before proceeding with the crimping of the wires, it is necessary to strip the ends of the insulation, and then treat them with a special paste. Aluminum conductors are lubricated with a petroleum jelly-quartz mixture, which removes the oxide film and prevents its further formation. For copper conductors, it is sufficient to use technical Vaseline, which reduces friction. This treatment minimizes the risk of deformation and damage to the conductors.

Then the cores are inserted into the sleeve until they stop and are alternately compressed on each side. At the end of the work, the device is insulated with a special tape or thermotube.

Bolt switching

Connecting conductors with bolts was used quite often in the past. Today, this method is mainly found in places of increased stress. The resulting contact is reliable, but the electrical assembly is very cumbersome.

Not so long ago, large junction boxes were installed in apartments, in which such connections could be easily positioned. Modern designs are much smaller, so it is impossible to place such devices in them.

Nevertheless, it is necessary to focus on this method, because it can be used to switch conductors made of different metals. The bolt contact is the best option for fixing various conductors - thick and thin, copper and aluminum, etc.

The ends of the conductors are stripped and twisted in a circle. A steel washer is put on the bolt, then the rings of wires, then another washer and fixation with a nut is carried out. This option is possible when switching products from one metal.

If you are connecting copper and aluminum wires, place another washer between the rings. The advantage of this type of connection is its simplicity. As needed, the structure can always be disassembled. In addition, it is possible to add cores if the bolt size allows it. In this method of switching, it is important to avoid direct contact between different conductors. If done correctly, such a node will reliably serve for many years.

Use of modern technologies

The described methods become a thing of the past every year. They are replaced by special connectors for electrical wires, which are much more convenient and faster in installation and operation. Some of them:

• Terminal Blocks - Brass tubular sleeves are located inside them. The stripped conductors are inserted inside and fixed by tightening the screws.
• Special caps with compression springs inside. Conductors are inserted into them, then turned clockwise. During these manipulations, the connected cores are squeezed.
• Self-clamping terminals are quite easy to use: you just need to insert a conductor, which is fixed by a clamping plate.
• Lever terminal blocks are reusable. They are very convenient to use - you need to raise the lever, insert the wire into a special hole, and then lower it. This simple procedure ensures a secure fit.

Of all the various ways of connecting wires, you need to choose the most convenient for a particular case. Consider the material from which the cable is made, as well as its cross section. In addition, you need to pay attention to some parameters. These include the place of installation (room or street), as well as the loads to which the electrical circuit will be subjected.