To create mechanical connections of wires with lugs and cables, special devices are used. Depending on the material and its section, tools are used for crimping the tips, which are of several types. They allow for maximum contact area and uniform compression of the cable core and shank.
Content
- general information
- Tool types
- Principle of operation
- Criterias of choice
general information
In the process of connecting various types of technical devices and electronics, you have to work with wires. For such a procedure, a special tool is most often used - crimping pliers for tips. They are selected depending on the type of wire. Various types of new cables are now available. They differ from each other:
- power parameters;
- conductivity.
To prepare the contact of the leading conductors it is necessary to crimp the connecting ends correctly. For this purpose, press tongs are usually used as crimps for electrical cable lugs. Most often, electricians, radio amateurs and auto mechanics work with such a special tool.
This type of tool can be used for simple cables. It is also used in the processing of unusual non-standard connectors, for example, a network cable for a computer.
Due to its characteristics, the crimping pliers have become a very popular tool. It is an inexpensive and effective tool for the job.
The uncomplicated design of the equipment makes it possible to easily and quickly press the tips. The principle of the press jaws device allows you to quickly and efficiently crimp the cable. This helps to carry out the highest quality connection between the connecting structure and the rest of the conductors. The price of a wiring tool will depend on the manufacturer, quality, material used and the type of device.
Tool types
Nowadays, many manufacturers produce crimping equipment. The finished tool should have a narrow direction for pressing a certain type of wire. They also produce universal type pliers intended for production and household needs.
At home, the crimping tool should be as suitable as possible for performing operations with stranded wires in the electrical network. It is used in work with:
- switches;
- sockets;
- energy saving counters;
- various lighting devices.
A high-quality, reliable and safe connection of an electrical and mechanical nature can be provided by correctly selected electrical tools for crimping wire lugs. This type of tool is a pressing type of equipment. Most often, crimping pliers for crimping wire ends are used when it is necessary to secure the contact in low current systems. Depending on the purpose, such equipment is divided into several types:
- press tongs;
- hydraulic hand press;
- mechanical press;
- electromechanical press.
Crimping can be carried out using mechanical or hand tools. It is done by indentation, solid or combined compression. In the inner part of the press, on one side, there is a working piston with a cuff. With the help of a built-in spring, it returns to its previous position. On the other side is the plunger and the discharge cylinder.
Excessive pressure is built up in the cylinder itself, after which oil is supplied to it. It moves the working piston and it acts on the matrix, creating the necessary pressure in the tip area. This design is equipped with a two-way plunger.
The slave cylinder will be open when, at idle speed, the circuit quickly creates fluid injection in it. Another contour opens slightly, developing maximum effort at the very end of the idle speed. When the support valve is closed, a return spring connected by the oil cylinder and the working cavity brings the piston back to its previous position.
The crimping press is also equipped with a safety valve. When the pressure level in the system is increased, excess oil is returned back to the oil cylinder.
Principle of operation
Pressing pliers allow you to accurately and quickly remove the desired piece of insulation on the wiring without damaging the core itself. They are adjusted to the required diameter manually or automatically.
During manual configuration there is a possibility of damage to the wiring. If you do this in automatic mode, then when you remove the braid, the section of the cord does not touch. This type of equipment is most often used in work with lighting and junction boxes.
To make a cut in one step, it is necessary that the cutting edge remains sharp at all times. This will make it possible to qualitatively remove the outer insulation of the wire.
First you need to remove the outer insulation at the ends of the wires to be connected. In a stripped form, they are threaded into a sleeve. Its diameter can be different, it depends on the sum of the sections. The sleeve itself must be of a suitable metal. After that, use the crimping pliers.
The sleeve must be insulated with insulating material or heat shrink tubing. This procedure is fairly straightforward if the right tool is used correctly. The manual model must be compressed with sufficient force for the crimping to be of good quality.
Criterias of choice
There are several important characteristics to consider when choosing this type of equipment. The crimping range is of great importance. It indicates the minimum and maximum cable cross-sections that can be compressed with manual pressing tongs.
For cables with a small cross-section, a tool with a range of 0.5-6 mm2 is quite suitable. For thicker cables, it is better to choose equipment with parameters 10-20 mm2.
Attention should be paid to the insulation of the tool handles. Usually they are made of plastic, however, some models of crimpers began to be covered with special rubberized inserts. Such material does not conduct electric current, which is always important when working with cables manually. If the wire is energized, then it does not pose a danger to a working person.
