The Technique of Crimping
The term crimping means to press, make an impression, fold or even deform by folding.
In electrical installation the term crimping is used to describe the mechanical compression of a sleeve around a conductor to make a firm mechanical connection between the conductor and the connector.
Crimp connections have a large extent replaced soldered connections and have proven extremely suitable for the task over the years in which they have been in use. They are only permitted, however, if they satisfy the required DIN IEC values.
The prerequisite for this is that the conductor, contact, crimping tool and tool setting are all coordinated.
This means:
- The conductors and connectors must match each other in terms of their capacity values. The stripping length and positioning of the conductors in the connector should comply with the requirements of the various connectors.
- Conductors and connectors must be inserted into the crimp profile which suits the type and capacity and be positioned correctly in this. For some crimp connections there are locators which make precise positioning simple. Using control markings it is possible to check on some crimp inserts after the crimp whether the crimping has been completed with the correct profile.
- The crimping pressure should be applied evenly over the crimp profile. This is best achieved by means of a parallel crimping motion. Crimping pliers are generally adjusted for a defined crimping pressure. The fact that this is also applied completely to the contact is ensured by a locking device. That means that the pliers cannot be opened until the crimping has been completed properly.
