Crimps or wago?

[Spoon]

Sorry happysteve. Must have misread the word 'crimp' in your post.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Please forgive an ignorant trainee's question, but what sort of crimp is suitable for connection to solid copper wires found in 1.0, 1.5 and 2.5mm twin and earth? I'm familiar with the methods of crimp termination for fine and thick stranded cable, but not small csa solid.

Hi Steve,

Could you give some reference to where it states that solid core cables should not be crimped. The article you've linked in your next post is very interesting but I cant see where it specifically states solid conductors should not be crimped (although I did read it fairly quickly).

When I was taught (all those many years ago!), we were crimping solid conductors and the tutor (very experienced) mentioned nothing about crimping of solid conductors being unreliable (if crimped correctly). I must admit a stranded conductor must surely get a better connection once crimped, but the solid conductors seem pretty reliable too (if crimped correctly).

I have used both the red and blue crimp on 1mm and 2.5mm and then put the cable in a vice and pulled at them with a pair of pliers and they didn't budge so I feel 'fairly' happy crimping.... unless you come up with a scary article!!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

In fact, my son and I have just gone out to the shed and carried out the experiment again on 1mm and 2.5mm T&E.

It was a 2 part test, first he pulled and then I did!

I was almost hanging off both of them and they didn't budge. I'm only 75kg but thats still quite a bit of force!!

Of course thats not very scientific and I should carry it out perhaps 100 times, but were now going into town for a pasty so you shall have to be happy with a test case of just '1'.

 

[davesparks]

In fact, my son and I have just gone out to the shed and carried out the experiment again on 1mm and 2.5mm T&E.

It was a 2 part test, first he pulled and then I did!

I was almost hanging off both of them and they didn't budge. I'm only 75kg but thats still quite a bit of force!!

Of course thats not very scientific and I should carry it out perhaps 100 times, but were now going into town for a pasty so you shall have to be happy with a test case of just '1'.

Mechanical strength is only half of the story, it needs to be electrically sound too.
Measure the joint resistance with a high current milliohmmeter and see how good it is

 

[Richard Burns]

When I have looked at the specifications for the standard red, etc. crimps the information never seems to state the type of cable, it may say "works well on stranded" or the like but never actually seems to state "will not work effectively on solid conductors".
There have been many comments on here about these crimps being unsuitable for solid conductors but never any proof.

I too was taught that crimps could be used on solid conductors and I have continued to use them for such.
Unfortunately any lack of suitability of a crimp would likely only show up over a long period and so may well not be noticed, then again I have had crimps on solid conductors that then slip off when tested for "pull", however the next crimp then holds, possibly my poor crimping practice.

I am of the opinion that so long as the crimp is a good quality crimp then it should be OK for solid conductors.

Low quality crimps (or crimping pliers) would not make a secure joint.

 

[Dave OCD]

See all this doubt about crimps, you really can't go wrong with properly done good old connector blocks.

 

[Hawk]

Sometimes the old ways are the best ways! ?