To crimp or not to crimp

[JohnW2]

Parallel crimps do not rely on the metal of the crimp for electrical connection. The connection is direct wire to wire with a contact area several times that of the cross sectional area of the wires. The compressed sleeve provides the mechanical compressive force to hold the wires against each other. In a well designed system the compressive force during the crimping is enough to produce an area of cold weld between the wires.

Yes,, I understood the theory you wre describing. IF the crimping manages to create a cold weld between the conductors, that would be great - hence what I said about 'clever'. However, if the conductors didn't get cold-welded together, then the crimping (even worse, cold-welding if it happened) of individual conductors to the crimp would presumably compromise the ability of the setup to maintain a comressive force between the two conductors. So, as I said, as I see it, great if it really is clever enough to always 'do what is says on the tin' - but otherwise potentially inferior to an in-line 'butt' crimp, I would have thought. I certainly have never heard of anyone using such 'parallel crimps' - anyone here?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Greenie9657]

Hi

It has to be crimped really. Where would you recommend to buy crimps in bulk?

 

[Iggifer]

I quite like the toolstation ones

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electrical/Crimp Terminals/Butt Connector/d190/sd2712/p68415

had no issues with them, sfix ones are not great based on the reviews & any electrical factors will sell them. I just happened to be near a TS when I needed some so picked some up, I prefer to use Wago's where possible though (much more expensive, but in the confines of a backbox can be difficult to fit a crimp tool in)

 

[Greenie9657]

Hi Iggi

What timing you have. I'm just off to toolstation this morning for some bits so I'm going to grab some of these crimps. I've heard that sometimes the crimps dont fit properly into the corresponding colour on the crimp tool, I'm guessing you've have no issues with that?


Also can these be left exposed or do they have to go into a box? And as I've never used these insulated ones before does that mean the need for heat shrink has gone?

Many thanks

 

[RF Lighting]

You must still enclose the overall joint. You can use a box or heat shrink for this.