Clamp for wire: types of designs for connecting electrical conductors, their pros and cons

Those people who independently repair home electrical wiring are forced to constantly face such a term as connecting conductors. There are many different methods for this today. Regardless of whether we are talking about a major overhaul of the network or connecting a new element, the commutation must be strong. First of all, you need to figure out which is more reliable and more profitable - the use of clamps for wires or the use of soldering.

Wiring methods

The connection of the conductors can be done in various ways. Some of them:

1. The use of terminal blocks is a fairly durable and reliable method.
2. Crimping with sleeves. In this case, knowledge of the basics of technology is required. The connection is solid, but requires the use of a special tool.
3. Bolted connection - even a novice master can easily handle it. A similar method is used in difficult situations, for example, when you need to switch from an aluminum conductor to a copper one.
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4. Welding is the safest way. With its help, the strength of the connection is ensured, but certain skills and the presence of a welding machine are required.
5. Soldering - a similar method is important to use if the conductors are heated to a temperature of no more than 65 degrees.
6. Various spring clamps - easy to install, provide reliable switching when operating conditions are met.

When choosing a specific connection method, a number of factors must be taken into account - the material from which it is made conductor, type of insulating sheath, operating conditions, wire cross-section, number of its cores, and so on Further.

Welding use

When switching wires by welding, they are first twisted, and the ends are welded. The result is a metal ball that provides a firm hold in all conditions. It should be noted that the method is reliable not only in terms of electrical, but also mechanical characteristics. The fact is that in the process of metal melting, a monolith is formed, therefore it is not possible to isolate a separate wire.

A significant disadvantage is that the mount is completely one-piece. If something needs to be replaced, the only option is to cut off the welded parts and redo the work. That is why, when using this method, a stock of conductors is left in case alterations are needed.

In addition, the use of a welding machine is required, which is not available in every home. The experience of carrying out such work is also important, because a beginner will not be able to cope with the task at hand. This is a rather lengthy process that takes time and effort. Among specialists, this method is practiced very rarely, only when absolutely necessary. When the connection cools down, it is insulated. For this, insulating tape or heat shrink tubes are used.

Crimping method

When using this type of wire connection, such as crimping, a special sleeve is used, which can be made of copper or aluminum. It is selected based on the size of the twist. The material from which the product and the conductors are made must match. First, the wires must be stripped of insulation and strip well and then twist. After that, a sleeve is put on, which is then clamped using special pliers.

There are several types of sleeves and pliers. Each of them is characterized by certain conditions of use. The main factor is the number of conductors that can fit in one sleeve. It is necessary to place the cores according to certain rules, then measure the resulting harness and adjust it to specific requirements. This is a rather complex activity, a similar method is mainly used by qualified specialists.

Terminal blocks

One of the simplest, but at the same time, reliable switching methods is the use of terminal blocks. There are many such devices, but mainly screw connection is in demand. Today, you can purchase various devices, which must be selected in accordance with the size of the wires.

The terminal block is a structure in a plastic case. Sockets or metal plates are soldered into it. A bare core is inserted inside, and then clamped with a screw. After that, you need to make sure that the fixation is reliable. To do this, it is enough to twitch the conductor. Due to the fact that the places of combination remain bare, the terminal blocks can only be used in rooms with normal humidity.

This method has certain disadvantages - due to the plasticity of various metals (especially when it comes to aluminum), the resulting contacts weaken over time. This can cause excessive heat and oxidation. To prevent this, you need to periodically tighten the screws in the terminals.

The main advantages are simple and quick grouping of wires, as well as low cost of products. Besides, the process does not require special knowledge and skills. A significant advantage is that conductors of various diameters and materials (copper and aluminum) can be easily connected in a similar way. This is due to the fact that there is no direct contact between the metals.

Soldering application

First of all, it is necessary to take into account the soldering technology. To make a high-quality connection, the wires should be cleaned of insulation and oxide film, then twisted and tinned. First, the conductors are heated with a soldering iron, attaching them to the rosin. The latter must completely cover the processed metal elements. After that, the tinned parts are twisted with your fingers, and then with pliers. If it is not possible to carry out the tinning procedure, you can use a soldering flux. They need to process the parts well after twisting.

Then you can proceed to the soldering itself - first you need to process the conductors with a heated soldering iron, until the flux boils. Next, a little solder should be applied, which, under the influence of temperatures, will fill the gaps in the twisting points, providing a strong fixation. When the parts are well cooled, you need to remove the remaining flux. To do this, it is enough to rinse the soldering area with soapy water. This is to minimize the risk of wire oxidation. Then the place of fixation is thoroughly dried and treated with electrical tape or heat pipes.

It is important to consider all the pros and cons. In low current systems, soldering is the best switching method. However, when laying wiring indoors, it is undesirable to use it. This is due to the fact that the solder is characterized by low melting temperatures. If a large current is passed through the systems, the solder will melt and evaporate over time. Each time the contact will weaken and warm. If such a problem is not detected in time, it can lead to a fire.

Another disadvantage is considered to be low mechanical strength. The problems again lie in the solder - it is soft. If many rigid electrical wires need to be joined together, they will fall out of the solder during packaging. This is due to the effect of the elastic force. That is why specialists do not recommend using this method when conducting electrical wiring.

Spring structures Wago

Such electrical clamps appeared on the market not so long ago and made a splash - they are simple and convenient to use, but the switching is very durable. Manufacturers give certain recommendations for the use of products:

1. For working with solid and stranded elements, the cross-section of which ranges from 0.5 mm² up to 4 mm² it is advisable to use Wago.
2. When working with stranded parts with a small cross-section of 0.08 mm²-3.5 mm² CAGE CLAMP products are used.

There is a metal plate inside the clamps, which ensures the required degree of contact. The main parameters and shapes of the plates have been developed for a long time and have been thoroughly tested. The products did an excellent job with all kinds of tests. This company has a wide range of products, but when laying electrical wiring, you can use detachable structures 222 and one-piece parts 273 and 773.

Spring clips for connecting Wago wires under marking 222 can have from 2 to 5 pads with flag-shaped clamps. Before starting work, the latter are set in a vertical position, the cleaned veins are inserted all the way inside, and then the flag is transferred to a horizontal position. On this, the work is considered finished.

A huge advantage is the fact that you can make the necessary adjustments at any time. To do this, you need to raise the checkbox and pull out the conductor. It is possible to use such structures for switching copper or aluminum elements with the number of cores from two to five. Electric wires can be not only stranded, but also rigid.

There is another type of clamps, work with which takes a matter of seconds - one-piece structures. It is enough just to insert the protected conductor into the desired socket. Inside there is a special spring that firmly fixes the element to be connected to the plate. For better contact, it is necessary to carefully clean the oxide film. To prevent oxidation in the future, the company has released a special contact paste that must be applied to the inside of the clamp.

In this case, preliminary cleaning is not required, since the substance can independently fight oxidation. It should be noted that manufacturers talk about the ability to remove the conductor from the clamp, if required. To do this, you need to hold the core with one hand, and the terminal block with the other and carry out rotational movements with a small range.

PPE caps and bolted connection

Connecting insulating clamps (PPE) are very easy-to-use devices. They have a plastic housing with a conical spring inside. The conductors stripped of the insulation layer are inserted into the cap, then the latter is rotated several times.

Similar elements are produced by many companies. They are designed for different sections and the number of switched elements. To correctly determine which part is suitable for a particular situation, you need to be guided by product labeling. The first number after the letter designation indicates the type of case:

• "1" - indicates that the body is made in the form of a cone, on which special grooves can be located. This is for better capture of details.
• "2" - indicates that there are special protrusions on the base, which are needed for ease of fixation in the hand.

Another option for switching conductors is carried out using bolts (diameter does not matter). In addition, you will need three washers and a nut of the correct diameter. This method is implemented quickly and lasts a long time.

First of all, the conductors should be stripped of the insulating layer, and then a loop should be formed, the size of which should correspond to the diameter of the bolt. To simplify the task, the wire can be wrapped around the part and twisted. The elements are put on the bolt in the following sequence:

• washer;
• first wire;
• washer;
• second wire;
• washer;
• screw.

The latter must be tightened well by hand and then with a tool. This method is often used to group electrical conductors of different diameters or materials.

Today, there are many different parts that are used to fix the conductors into a single structure. Of course, each product has its own advantages and disadvantages. First of all, when choosing, it is necessary to be guided by considerations of the strength and safety of the structure.