I crimped two wires on a single connector, correctly done (picture)? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 08:33:54 am
content: Hi Guys,Not truly a crimp expert. I needed to crimptwo wires on a single (flag) connector. See pictures. It will carry 230V (will be connected to the power switch off a miter-saw FWIW).Anybody here to confirm wetter this is correctly done? Not truly happy myself, but to me it seems it just a bit of two much wireI did measure the connector to the old one, they are same size (wing seem slightly different) and I'm using exactly same cable.Thanks!

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 09:55:39 am
content: I'd add some solder for the loose strands.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 10:48:48 am
content: Wire is too long.Don't solder it either as it defeats one of the the purposes of using a crimp terminal (solder is less conductive than the cold weld of a properly formed crimp).

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 10:52:48 am
content: Quote from: madires on September 30, 2018, 09:55:39 amCrimping and soldering doesn't go together.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 10:53:42 am
content: General consensus with most countries electrical codes is never solder mains wire connections,Your wire is oversized for the crimp as the insulation retention does not really wrap the insulation well (chance of pop out)Equally you have unconfined strands, If they flick out and touch something it could cause greifI would say trim the copper length to only have a 0.5mm stickout, At a bare minimum that will reduce the risk,

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 10:54:57 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on September 30, 2018, 10:48:48 amI clipped the excess wire with some side cutters.I‘m aware crimp and solder is a no-no.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 11:18:38 am
content: Take 2!I redid them, thanks for the feedback!Better?

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 12:38:01 pm
content: Apart from the rouge strand on the blue, it looks Ok now.

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 12:43:54 pm
content: Quote from: Rerouter on September 30, 2018, 12:38:01 pmThanks!Yeah it's much better i think. Practice makes (almost) perfect.It's hard to see "in" the plier, a few strands got away there. The brown was better. Maybe I give it another try (could strip also 0.2mm long IMO) 😜

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 04:23:43 pm
content: Yes, those look better.If you aren't using a crimp tool, solder is better than, say, bending over the tabs with pliers (which I have been known to do when a crimp tool isn't available). In that case, treat it as a soldered connection, nothing more -- don't expect it to be reliable under stress.If you are, inspect the joint. Verify that all strands are tightly retained, the wires don't pull out, etc. A proper crimp should be almost as strong as the metal it's made of. The gold standard of course is a metallurgical section (pot the crimp in resin, cut and polish a cross section, inspect under microscope). Going quite that far isn't exactly practical or necessary, but you can still use that perspective as a basis for understanding and inspecting the result.Tim

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 06:35:09 pm
content: Quote from: onesixright on September 30, 2018, 11:18:38 amMuch.The brown and tan wires pass muster to my eyes. Unfortunately, the loose strand in the other wouldn't pass inspection. I suspect you'll get it on the next go though.

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2018, 07:07:00 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on September 30, 2018, 06:35:09 pmThanks. I redid them. Goos exercise. To the trained eye, could probably be better. I’m happy.Sent from my X using Tapatalk

author: 6PTsocket
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2018, 03:03:49 am
content: In the wire part of the crimp, I don't like the bare wire in the middle. Either the connector is under sized for that wire gauge or the crimp tool did not do the job properly. As long as that middle is exposed not all the strands are captured. It should not be necessary to solder to keep them in, though I am not as concerned about mixing solder and crimps as some others, here. I am very careful to avoid stray strands.The two sides of that crimp should touch.Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 01, 2018, 05:32:32 am
content: IF you can apply solder to a crimped connection such that it does not extend outside the area which is directly under the crimp for the bare wire, then I have few worries - but the fact of the matter is that solder will wick up the wire strands due to capillary action resulting in bonding of the strands and stiffening of the otherwise flexible wire.The boundary between the soldered strands and the unsoldered ones becomes a focus point for stress when the wire is subjected to movement. This point - which is covered by the sheath - will be where the strands fracture.This is my understanding for not soldering crimp connections.