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Module one: History and Safety
Module four: Specialist Electricians Tools
Module three: Core Electricians Tools
Module three: Core Electricians Tools
Crimping Pliers.
Crimp Connectors
Ring terminals
These are typically used where the wire is going to be attached using a nut and bolt or a screw.
Crimp connectors come in two generic forms; insulated for use on wiring carrying electrical current and un-insulated which are mostly used on wiring for earth connections. Whilst we don’t offer crimp connectors, it is worth having a look at the different types commonly available. These are all known as pre-insulated terminals, the un-insulated versions are simply the same crimp connector but without the coloured insulating sleeve
Pre-insulated
Un-insulated
Flat blade terminals
Ideal for inserting the ends into a terminal block that uses a screw to secure the connection.
Fork terminals
These can be used to slip under the head of a flat headed terminal screw before it’s tightened down.
Female and male push on (Spade) terminals
These are used to make joints that can be taken apart. Unless an additional sleeve is used they are not fully insulated and are most likely be used on low voltage DC control circuitry.
Piggy back terminals
A version of the spade terminals that lets 3 wires be joined and un-joined!
Bullets male/female
Another version of a crimp connector that can be used to make joints that can be taken apart. They are better insulated and therefore are used more on live circuitry.
Splices (butt and parallel)
A butt splice has an internal stop for the wire half way through, whereas a parallel splice doesn’t. They are both used for permanent wire joints.
Pin terminals
These are a more compact type of flat blade crimp connector that fit in smaller screw terminal blocks; most frequently found in electronic circuitry.
Colour coding
You might have noticed that insulated crimp connectors are colour coded – this defines the range of wire sizes that each can be used with.
Wire size range
Colour mm AWG
2
0.5 - 1.5
12 - 10
1.5 - 2.5
16 - 14
2.5 - 6
22 - 16