In the process of wiring installation, whether it is maintenance of automotive electricians or laying lines in the home shield, the master inevitably faces the question of reliable connection veins. Many beginners, faced with the need to fix the terminal at the end of the cable, are lost in guesses, not knowing the exact name of the required device. By mistakenly believing that conventional pliers or a hammer are enough, they risk creating a fire-prone contact that will eventually begin to warm and oxidize.
Professionals know that there is a specialized service for this operation. wire-crusherIn the technical environment, it is most often called a crimper. It is from the correct choice and use of this device that the durability of the entire electrical circuit and the safety of the equipment operation depends. In this article, we will analyze in detail the varieties of crimping mites, their design features and nuances of use in various conditions.
Understanding that, What is the name of the wire-crushing tool?This is just the first step towards quality installation. It is also important to understand the physics of the process: when squeezing a metal sleeve, plastic deformation occurs, thanks to which the surfaces of the metal are connected at the molecular level. This provides a minimum of transient resistance, which is impossible to achieve by simple twisting or soldering without prior pressing.
Crimper: The main name and principle of work
The main and most correct name of the tool designed for cleaving the tips and sleeves, - crimper. The term comes from the English word "crimp", which translates as "corrugate" or "form folds". Unlike universal locksmiths, the crimper has strictly calibrated matrices that compress the metal with a certain, predetermined force. This eliminates the human factor and guarantees the identity of each compound.
The principle of operation of the device is based on the creation of high pressure at the point of contact of the metal sleeve and wire. Inside the working head are replaceable or built-in sponges (matrixes) with profiled notches. When the handles are reduced, these notches close, deforming the tip wall and tightly squeezing the bundle of copper or aluminum veins. The key feature of a quality crimper is the presence of a snoring mechanism that does not allow you to unclutch the handle until the completion of a full cycle of crimping.
Use of specialized crimper It allows you to work with various types of terminals: from miniature pin contacts to powerful cable tips of a large cross-section. The design of the tool can range from simple hand-held models to hydraulic and pneumatic systems used on an industrial scale. For automotive electrics and household needs, mechanical manual options are most common.
Types of crimping mites for different tasks
The choice of a specific type of ticks directly depends on the scale of work and the type of tips used. In the modern market there are many modifications, each of which is sharpened for certain tasks. There is no one-size-fits-all solution that works equally well with micro-contacts and power cables.
- π οΈ NSHVI tip mites - designed for sleeve insulated tips, often used in electric shields.
- π Crimpers for automotive terminals have a complex sponge profile for working with connectors such as DT, MX, AMP and others.
- π Coaxial cable tool It is used for mounting RJ45, RJ11 connectors and antenna connectors.
- π Hydraulic presses - are used for squeezing the power tips of a large cross-section on high-voltage lines.
Special attention deserves crimperwhich independently adjust the degree of compression depending on the thickness of the inserted wire. Such models significantly accelerate the installation process with large volumes of work. However, for one-time tasks in a garage or house, a high-quality mechanical tool with fixed matrices is quite enough.
It is important to understand that an attempt to squeeze, for example, a car terminal with conventional construction mites for the NSHVI will damage the contact. The compression profile of them is different: where a point deformation of the "petals" is needed, flat sponges simply flatten the metal, without ensuring tightness and reliability of fixation.
What's the secret to the snoring mechanism?
The ratchet mechanism (rattle) inside the handles of the crimper blocks the reverse stroke until the sponges are completely converged. This prevents a situation where the wizard, without pressing the handle, unclushes the tool, leaving the contact weak. Unlocking occurs only after critical pressure is reached, ensuring a standard clenching quality regardless of the operator's arm strength.
Tool design and elements
Quality clamp-driver It has a complex internal architecture that ensures accuracy of work. The main elements are handles, often made of a two-component material for a comfortable grip, and a working head with installed matrices. In expensive professional models, matrixes can be interchangeable, which allows you to use a single base for different types of tasks.
The work area, or βgawnβ of the tool, can have different geometries. To work with isolated tips, matrixes with a focus for a plastic skirt are used, which prevents its crushing. For unisolated contacts, sponges with a deep and narrow profile are used, forming the correct oval or trapezoidal form of the section.
Some models are equipped with a built-in knife to clean the insulation and cutters for snacking veins. Although convenient, experienced electricians prefer to use a separate one. stripper for cleaning, as combined tools often do worse with each function separately, especially when working with multi-core soft wires.
When buying a crimper, pay attention to the material of sponges: they must be made of hardened tool steel. Cheap silimine or soft metal quickly deform, and the crimping profile will become unusable.
Technology of correct crimping: step-by-step instructions
The process of creating a reliable connection requires compliance with a certain sequence of actions. Disruption of technology, even with an expensive tool, can lead to marriage. The first step is always to prepare the wire: it is necessary to remove the insulation to a length corresponding to the depth of the insertion into the sleeve.
βοΈ Checklist for squeezing
Next, you should choose the appropriate size of the matrix on the tool. Most crimpers have markings indicating which color or cell number corresponds to which wire cross section. By inserting the cleaned end of the vein into the tip to the end, it is necessary to insert the entire structure into the working yawn of ticks.
Smooth but confident movement reduce the handles to the characteristic click or unlock the ratchet. Do not pull the tool or make excessive efforts beyond the norm β a qualitative mechanism will create the necessary pressure. After unceasing the sponges, carefully remove the finished connection and visually evaluate it: the wire should not bolt, and the tip itself should have cracks or deformations.
Table of conformity of tools and tips
To simplify the selection of suitable equipment, it is recommended to focus on the table of conformity. It will help you quickly determine what type of crimper is needed for a particular type of work in a car or home network.
| Type of tip | Wire cross-section (mm2) | Type of instrument | Features of the matrix |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSHVI (Vutsulny) | 0.25 β 10.0 | NSHVI mites | Square section |
| Automotive terminals | 0.5 β 2.5 | Krimper for connectors | Profile (petal) |
| Power (copper) | 16.0 β 240.0 | Hydraulic press | Hexagonal (6 facets) |
| Connecting shells | 1.5 β 10.0 | PK/PM ticks | Semi-circular sponges |
Using an inappropriate matrix is a common mistake. For example, trying to squeeze a circular sleeve with a matrix for square tips will lead to the fact that the wire inside will be clamped at only two points, and the rest of the volume will remain empty. This will drastically reduce the contact area and increase resistance.
For lines of force where currents are high, it is critical to use hexagonal (on six sides). It provides a uniform distribution of pressure throughout the circumference of the sleeve, eliminating distortions and ensuring maximum tightness of the connection, which is especially important for conditions of increased vibration in the car.
A well-chosen tool and matrix is 90% of the success. Savings on the crimper often result in the need to redo the entire wiring in a short time.
Typical errors and precautions
Even knowing, What is the name of the wire-crushing tool?The masters often make mistakes in the operation. One of the most common is the use of the tool for other purposes. The crimper can not snack on hard wires or screws, as this blunts the cutting edges and violates the geometry of the matrices.
β οΈ Attention: Never attempt to squeeze tips that exceed the maximum limit specified on the tool. This can lead to a break in the hinge or crack in the body of the ticks, which will make their further use impossible and dangerous.
Another common problem is insufficient cleaning of the insulation or, conversely, too long bare area. In the first case, the insulation falls into the crimping zone, preventing the metal from contacting the metal. In the second case, the part of the veins remains unprotected, which increases the risk of short circuit or oxidation of copper.
β οΈ Attention: When working with aluminum wires, it is necessary to use a special quartz-vaseline lubricant and tips designed specifically for aluminum. Cracking aluminum veins with copper sleeves without protection will lead to rapid electrochemical corrosion and destruction of contact.
Regular maintenance of the tool also plays a role. Periodically clean the working surfaces of metal dust and lubricate the hinge joints. Rust or sticky dirt can change the gap between the sponges, which will negatively affect the quality of the cleavage.
Can I squeak without a crimper?
In an emergency, in the absence of a crimper, pliers can be used, but the result will be unpredictable. For temporary repairs, you can carefully compress the tip with passages from different sides, trying to give it a rounded shape. However, such a connection is considered temporary and requires mandatory replacement with a professionally made at the earliest opportunity.
Conclusion and recommendations on selection
In summary, it can be argued that crimper It is an indispensable tool for anyone who works with electricians. Understanding how it is arranged and how it is called correctly helps to competently choose a tool for specific needs. Donβt chase the cheapest model if you plan to do wiring for yourself or customers.
For a home craftsman, the best choice will be a universal crimper with the possibility of replacing matrices or a model sharpened for the most popular types of tips (for example, NSHVI and car terminals). Professionals should pay attention to the branded tool with a lifetime warranty and high ergonomics to reduce the load on the brush with large volumes of work.
Investment in quality clamp-driver It pays off a lot, ensuring the safety and reliability of electrical networks for many years. Remember that electricity does not forgive negligence, and a properly made contact is a guarantee of peace of mind for your car or house.
The quality of the clench directly affects fire safety. Use only a specialized tool and donβt neglect visual control of each connection.
What is the difference between the crimper and ordinary pliers?
The crimper has strictly calibrated matrices and often a snoring mechanism to guarantee the desired compression force. Flatheads cannot provide uniform pressure on all sides and do not standardize force, leading to poor contact.
Can I squeeze copper tips on an aluminum wire?
Absolutely not. When copper and aluminum come into contact, a galvanic pair occurs, leading to rapid oxidation and heating. For aluminum, there are special aluminomedic tips or lubricant is used.
How often should I change the matrices on the Crimper?
Matrixes change only when visible production (profile wear) or breakage appears. With careful use of a high-quality tool, the resource of the matrices is calculated in thousands of cycles of crimping.
What if the wire slipped out when squeezing?
You can not reuse this tip because the metal is already deformed. It is necessary to bite off the damaged end, clean the wire again and take a new sleeve or terminal.