Crimp connection
Encyclopedia
A crimp connection is achieved with a type of solderless electrical connector
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Crimp connectors are typically used to terminate stranded wire. They fulfill numerous uses, including allowing the wires to be easily terminated to screw terminals, fast-on / quick-disconnect / spade-foot type terminals, wire splices, various combinations of these. Crimp-on terminals are attached by inserting the stripped end of a stranded wire into a portion of the terminal, which is then mechanically deformed / compressed (crimped) tightly around the wire. The crimping is accomplished with a special crimping pliers. A key idea behind crimped connectors is that the finished connection is gas-tight.
Crimped connections fulfill similar roles, and may be thought of similarly to, soldered connections. There are complex considerations for determining which type is appropriate - crimp connections are sometimes preferred for these reasons:
Many classes of crimped connections exist. Some of the most common are:
Barrel:
Open-barrel:
Electrical connector
An electrical connector is an electro-mechanical device for joining electrical circuits as an interface using a mechanical assembly. The connection may be temporary, as for portable equipment, require a tool for assembly and removal, or serve as a permanent electrical joint between two wires or...
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Crimp connectors are typically used to terminate stranded wire. They fulfill numerous uses, including allowing the wires to be easily terminated to screw terminals, fast-on / quick-disconnect / spade-foot type terminals, wire splices, various combinations of these. Crimp-on terminals are attached by inserting the stripped end of a stranded wire into a portion of the terminal, which is then mechanically deformed / compressed (crimped) tightly around the wire. The crimping is accomplished with a special crimping pliers. A key idea behind crimped connectors is that the finished connection is gas-tight.
Crimped connections fulfill similar roles, and may be thought of similarly to, soldered connections. There are complex considerations for determining which type is appropriate - crimp connections are sometimes preferred for these reasons:
- Easier, cheaper, and/or faster to reproduce reliable connections in large-scale production.
- Fewer dangerous, toxic and/or harmful processes involved in achieving the connection (soldered connections require aggressive cleaning, high heat, and possibly toxic solders).
- Potentially superior mechanical characteristics due to strain relief and lack of solder wicking.
Many classes of crimped connections exist. Some of the most common are:
Barrel:
- Wire to be terminated is inserted into a cylindrical section of metal, then crimped, with the resultant shape somewhat of an oval.
- To the layperson, perhaps the most common type. Readily available at retail (Radio Shack, Home Depot, Frys, etc.).
Open-barrel:
- refers to the pre-crimp crimp section having a U or V shape
- More robust connection than barrel-type and thus more common in industrial and automotive applications
- Simpler to automate since wire can be laid in the un-crimped connector versus barrel which requires funneling the wire into the barrel to prevent strands from catching.
- Types:
- F crimpF crimpF-crimp is a type of solderless electrical Crimp connection. It not related to the F connector common in RF equipment.It is sometimes referred to as open-barrel, which is technically a more general term including crimp types such as Weather Pack and Metri Pack.F-crimp is a more mechanically robust...
: Both wire and insulation (if optional insulation support is present) are crimped from U to B shape. - Weather-Pack/Metri-Pack: common brand-name crimp connectors designed for use in sealed housings. Wire is crimped from U to B shape, insulation from U to 'O' shape.
- F crimp