High-quality connection of electric circuits in the car is the foundation of reliability of the entire on-board system. The slightest contact with high resistance can lead to heating, melting of insulation and even fire. That is why professional craftsmen and experienced motorists pay special attention to the choice of a tool for working with wires.
In the arsenal of every electrician engaged in car maintenance, must be present specialized crimper. This tool allows you to create sealed and mechanically strong connections that cannot be obtained by conventional soldering or twisting. Unlike household pliers, a specialized tool provides a strictly dosed compression force.
Using an inappropriate tool often results in the terminal falling out of the tip or the wire being snacked at the base. Under conditions of constant vibration, characteristic of the engine and movement on irregularities, such connections are quickly destroyed. A properly selected device guarantees stable current transmission throughout the life of the car.
Constructive features and principle of operation
The basis of the design of quality mites is the double lever mechanism or the rattle mechanism (rattle). The latter option is considered more professional, as it does not allow the tool sponges to be unclutched until the complete crimping cycle is complete. Krimperes With a rattle, the same compression force is provided regardless of the physical strength of the master.
The working part of the tool, or matrix, has a profile corresponding to the shape of the tip. For round terminals, rounded notches are used, and for pins, square or trapezoidal. It is important to understand that metal-deformation It happens in a controlled manner: the outer lobes of the sleeve are pressed into the wire veins, creating a monolithic connection.
⚠️ Warning: Never use bogocroses or conventional pliers to clench the terminals. They flatten the sleeve without creating the necessary pressure, which leads to oxidation of the contact and an increase in resistance at the joint site.
Modern models are often equipped with an adjustable stop, which allows you to work with wires of different cross-sections. The adjustment mechanism can be made in the form of a screw or a movable slat. This makes the tool versatile, allowing you to squeeze both thin signal wires and starter power cables.
Key Types of Autoelectric Tools
The market of automotive tools offers many modifications, each of which is sharpened for specific tasks. The most common universal models covering a wide range of cross sections. However, professional work often requires a highly specialized tool.
- 🔧 PKWk ticks - Classic option for squeezing the tips of the NSHVI and the GML cartridges, ideal for working with multi-core wires in the fuse blocks.
- 🔧 Models with a rattle - equipped with a mechanism that opens the sponges only after reaching critical pressure, which excludes the ineffective.
- 🔧 Hydraulic presses They are used to compress thick power cables in electric cars or when installing powerful audio systems.
- 🔧 Mini-ticks. compact devices for operation in a limited space under a torpedo or in the engine compartment.
Special attention deserves tick-miteThey are self-configured to the diameter of the wire. They significantly speed up the installation process, but require careful handling and regular lubrication of the mechanism. For one-time work in the garage, a simple mechanical model is enough.
Technical characteristics and selection criteria
When buying a tool, first of all, you need to pay attention to the material of the matrix manufacture. The best option is considered tool steel with hardening. Cheap alloys wear out quickly and the sponge profile deforms, leading to marriage when squeezed.
The range of sections is the second most important parameter. For passenger cars, wires with a cross section from 0.5 to 6 mm2 are most relevant. If you plan to install autosound or additional equipment, you will need a tool that works with cross sections up to 16 mm2 and above.
| Type of tip | Wire cross-section (mm2) | Recommended instrument | Features of application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busting (NSWI) | 0.25 – 10 | Oval-matrix mites | Clamping terminals, control units |
| Ring (NCI) | 0.5 – 6 | Universal ticks | Grounding, battery connection |
| Shtyrevoy (NSPI) | 0.5 – 2.5 | Mini-ticks. | Relays, fuses, ECU |
| Gilza (GML) | 1.5 – 120 | Hydraulic press | Power cable splicing |
Ergonomics of handles also plays an important role, especially with a large amount of work. Rubbed pads prevent slipping of hands and reduce the load on the palms. The presence of the lock in the closed position is convenient for storing the tool in the box.
Preparation for work and selection of consumables
The quality of the connection depends not only on the tool, but also on the correct selection of components. The tips must strictly correspond to the cross-section of the wire vein. Using too large a shell will lead to weak contact, and too small to damage the veins.
Before starting the work, the insulation must be cleaned. The length of the stripped section shall correspond exactly to the length of the tip tail. If you clean too little, the insulation will fall under the clamp, disrupting contact. If too much, the bare part of the wire will remain unprotected.
- ⚡ Use special strippers to remove insulation so as not to damage the copper veins.
- ⚡ For protection against corrosion, it is recommended to use contact lubricant or tips with a tin coating.
- ⚡ When working with multi-core wires, twist the veins with your fingers before inserting into the sleeve.
It is important to consider the material of the wire. Copper and aluminum veins require different approaches and tips. Cars use mainly copper, but when repairing trucks or old vehicles, you can also encounter aluminum, which requires special galvanic pairs.
Step-by-step instructions for wiring
The process of establishing a reliable connection requires consistent execution of operations. Breaking the technology even at one stage can nullify all efforts. Below is the standard procedure for the most common sleeve and ring tips.
- Pick up the tip corresponding to the cross-section of the wire, and make sure that it is freely put on the cleaned vein.
- Insert the wire into the mites, making sure that it is located strictly perpendicular to the sponges of the matrix.
- Smoothly and confidently reduce the handles to a characteristic click (if there is a rattle) or to a complete close of the sponges.
- Spread the handles and remove the finished connection, checking it for strength with a light effort.
☑️ Quality control of crimping
If you use the tool without a rattle, the compression force has to be controlled independently. Experienced craftsmen do double crimping: first compress the sleeve, then turn the wire 90 degrees and compress again. This ensures maximum reliability.
⚠️ Note: After crimping, be sure to check the connection. Try to pull the tip off the wire with your hands. If it moves or flies, the connection is defective and must be remade.
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
Even experienced professionals sometimes make mistakes that can lead to unstable operation of the electric equipment of the car. One of the most common is the use of tips made of soft, poor-quality metal. Such shells can crack when squeezing or deform during operation.
Another common problem is the skewed wire in the matrix. If the wire enters the sleeve at an angle, one side is squeezed stronger than the other. This leads to the fact that on the one hand the veins can be transmitted, and on the other hand the contact will be weak. Always monitor the perpendicularity of the installation.
Ignoring temperature conditions can also play a cruel joke. Some types of insulation become fragile at low temperatures. Crushing in the cold can lead to cracking of the insulation layer at the edge of the sleeve, which will open access to moisture to the current veins.
Tool care and storage
In order to crimper They have served for a long time and are not let down at a critical moment, they must be properly cared for. The mechanism requires periodic cleaning of dust and metal shavings, which is formed in the process of work.
Once every six months, it is recommended to lubricate the moving parts of the mechanism with light engine oil or a special lubricant for the tool. This will prevent corrosion and ensure smooth running. Store the tool in a dry place, preferably in a factory case or case, to protect the matrix from mechanical damage.
Check the condition of the sponges regularly. If you notice the development or deformation of the profile, the tool is better to replace. Working with a worn-out matrix will not guarantee a quality connection, and saving on a new tool can lead to costly repairs to the car.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between ticks with a rattle from ordinary ones?
The rattle mites have a mechanism that blocks the sponge from being pressed until the required compression force is achieved. This guarantees standard cleavage quality and eliminates the human factor. Regular ticks require experience and a sense of strength.
Can aluminum wires be squeezed with copper tips?
Direct contact of copper and aluminum is unacceptable due to electrochemical corrosion. Aluminium has special tips (such as AM) or bimetallic (AM-copper), and requires the use of quartz vaseline paste to isolate contact from air.
How to choose a cross section of the tip if the wire is non-standard?
If the wire has a non-standard cross section or the number of veins, always focus on the lower value. It is better to take a tip of slightly smaller cross-section and carefully fluff the veins than to use too large, which will not provide close contact.
Do I need to squirt the wires before squeezing?
Lubricating multicore wires before crimping in cars is not recommended. When vibrating, the tin wire becomes rigid and can break inside the sleeve, disrupting contact. The crimping should be made on a clean copper vein.
Which tool is better for a home garage?
For home use, optimal universal mites with adjustable stop and cross-sectional range from 0.5 to 6 mm2. They are compact, inexpensive and cover 95% of automotive electrical repair tasks.