How to Install Crimp Connectors in Home Wiring
Crimp connectors offer a quick an easy way to splice electrical wires. They can be installed securely with a pair of pliers, and they give a more reliable connection and take less space than twisting wires together and capping them, or hooking the wires around terminal screws. This is an advantage when you are trying to stuff multiple wires into an electrical box with limited room. Crimp connectors are sized for specific wire gauges, so be sure to use the right one for the wires you are splicing. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Prepare wires for crimp connectors by cutting 6 to 8 inches of sheathing from the electrical cable. Strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from each wire to which you want to crimp a connector.
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Remove the insulated plastic sleeve covering the junction of two connectors if you are going to join two wires with crimp connectors. Slide this sleeve up along one of the wires to be joined until it is out of the way. Pull apart the connectors.
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Insert the end of the wire into the metal sleeve of a connector so that the end of the sleeve touches the wire insulation. Squeeze the sleeve with a pair of pliers to crimp the metal onto the wire. Verify that the connector is firmly attached by pulling on it with the pliers.
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Crimp another connector onto the wire you want to join. Push the connectors together. Slide the insulated plastic sleeve down the wire and position it over the junction of the two wires. This fits tightly, and you may have to pull it with pliers to get it into place.
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Crimp on ring or hook lugs in the same way, by inserting the end of a wire into the metal shank of a lug and squeezing the shank with pliers. Verify that the lug is firmly attached before you use it to connect the wire to a terminal.
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Tips & Warnings
When you attach crimp connectors to 10-gauge and heavier wire, like for a stove or water heater, you will need heavy-duty pliers with long handles to make a secure crimp.
Never attempt to install crimp connectors to a live circuit wire. Turn the power off first to avoid getting a severe electrical shock.
References
- Photo Credit pliers image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
