How to properly connect the wires to each other

How to connect wires correctly?

Hello, dear readers and guests of the Electrician's Notes website.

Today I will tell you about how to connect wires correctly.

The fact is that 70% of errors when installing electrical wiring occur in this area. After all, you have all probably heard the statement that “Electrics is the science of contacts.” One of my readers added to this statement that “When you need it, it’s not there. When you don’t need it, he’s there.”

Most often, electrical problems arise due to poor contact (or lack thereof) in junction boxes or electrical points (sockets, lamps, switches), as well as due to overloading of electrical wiring lines. The last reason is a consequence of powerful modern electrical appliances (kettle, microwave oven, hob, refrigerator, washing machine, etc.).

Let's answer this common question. How to connect wires correctly so that there is good and high-quality contact. At this time, the following wire connections are most often found:

• twist
• crimping
• welding
• soldering
• screw connections
• bolted connections
• self-clamping connections (WAGO)

Now let's look at each type of connection.

Twist

Twisting is the simplest and most common type of wire connection. We won’t take anything out of our heads, but turn to the regulatory document - PUE - 7th edition. Paragraph 2.1.21 of Chapter 2 clearly states that:

PUE, clause 2.1.21. Connection, branching and termination of wire and cable cores must be carried out using crimping, welding, soldering or clamping (screw, bolt, etc.) in accordance with current instructions approved in the prescribed manner.

Thus, according to the PUE - Twisting is PROHIBITED!!! 

There is a logical explanation for this. Over time, due to temperature changes and linear expansion, a gap appears between the connected wires in the twist. Accordingly, the contact resistance of the contact increases, it begins to heat up, oxidize and, as a result, can either disappear altogether or lead to disastrous consequences, even a fire.

I recommend reading about this in more detail in my article about the case of a bad (loose) contact in a socket and its consequences, which occurred on one of the control panels.

Crimping

Crimping is the connection of wire and cable cores by crimping the connecting sleeve using a special tool (press pliers). This connection method is one of the most reliable and high-quality, meeting the requirements of regulatory documents.

How to do crimping correctly? For this we need:

• connecting sleeve (hollow copper or aluminum tube, depending on the wire material being connected)
• choose the correct sleeve according to the inner diameter (there are special catalogs and instructions for this, or you can consult the store)
• special tool - press pliers (use of other tools, such as pliers, is prohibited)

Stages of work:

• remove the insulation from the wire along the length of the sleeve (using a special tool for removing insulation such as Knipex or a mounting knife)
• place the wires inside the sleeve (you can twist them first)
• crimp with special press pliers
• isolate the connection

You can read more about crimping in the article: how to use a crimp sleeve and heat-shrinkable tube.

For connecting insulated sleeves (GSI), I use EGI-60 press pliers.

For larger sections I have this hydraulic press. I’ll write a detailed article about it someday—subscribe to the newsletter.

Welding

Welding is the connection of wire and cable cores by contact heating of their ends with an electrode (carbon) until a contact point (ball) is formed. This connection method is one of the most reliable and high-quality, meeting the requirements of regulatory documents, but requires certain skills in working with welding equipment.

How to properly weld wires? For this we need:

• welding transformer (power at least 1 kW, output voltage up to 24 V)
• carbon electrode
• special flux (to protect the melt from oxygen)
• welding glasses
• leather welding gloves

Stages of work:

• remove the insulation from the wire by 40-50 (mm)
• Use sandpaper to protect the wire core until it shines
• do some twisting
• pour flux into the recess of the electrode and lower our twist, pressing it tightly to the electrode
• connect the welding transformer to the network
• the ends of the strands of our twist will be fused into a “ball” (contact point)
• after the junction hardens, remove the electrode
• The resulting “ball” is cleaned of flux with a wire brush
• varnish the connection
• isolate the connection

It turns out something like this.

As you can see, the result is an almost solid wire, i.e. the lowest contact resistance.

For the sake of experiment, you can try to measure the contact resistance of different methods of connecting wires and verify what has been said.

Soldering

Soldering is the joining of wires and cables with molten solder. This connection method meets the requirements of regulatory documents, but requires certain operating skills. Soldering guarantees long-lasting contact with good conductivity. But its use is limited due to mechanical or thermal effects.

Read the article about why connecting wires using soldering should be avoided.

How to properly solder wires? For this we need:

• tin-lead solder (POS)
• flux - rosin
• brush for applying flux to the core
• sandpaper
• soldering iron

Stages of work:

• remove the insulation from the wire by 40-50 (mm)
• Use sandpaper to protect the wire core until it shines
• select the type of core connection (according to the table below)
• We bring the solder to the soldering iron tip
• heat the twist so that the molten solder flows into the twist
• After the soldering has hardened, wash the soldering area with alcohol
• isolate the connection

Here is an example of connecting several wires by soldering.

Soldering is used to connect copper wires and cables. But when using special solders, you can solder wire and cable cores made of aluminum.

Screw connections

Screw connections between wires and cables can be used to connect different metals, such as copper to aluminum. They are very widely used for connecting wires to lamps or chandeliers.

And most importantly, the screw connections meet the requirements of regulatory documents.

Here is an example of using screw terminal blocks to connect wires in a junction box, but I do not support this method.

I would like to add that this type of connection has the only drawback - periodically the screws in the terminals need to be tightened (the “fluidity” property of aluminum) to improve contact.

In my work I use screw contact clamps of the ZVI-3 type (0.75-4 sq. mm).

When using stranded wires and cables, you need to use special crimping lugs or solder the ends of the wires.

Some screw terminal blocks (clamps) are equipped with a shaped washer or a washer with an asterisk, which prevents the core from being squeezed out of the terminal block and provides reliable constant pressure on the wire and cable core.

The market currently offers a wide variety of terminal blocks with screw connections of wires and cables.

Bolted connections

Bolted connections of wire and cable cores can be used to connect different metals (copper and aluminum), but for this you need to place a steel washer between them.

This connection is not inferior to screw connections, but is bulky, so it is difficult to place it in the junction box and requires more insulating material.

Self-clamping connections

Today, one of the most common types of connections between wires and cables. Its main advantage is simplicity, convenience and speed of installation. It also does not require special skills or equipment. An example of this type of connection is WAGO terminal blocks.

WAGO terminal blocks are available in a variety of series and designs: the number of connected cores is from 2 to 8, cross-section from 0.75 to 4 sq. m. mm.

Some Vago terminals (2273-244 series) have a special contact paste that prevents oxidation of aluminum conductors. Using such terminals, you can connect cores made of different materials, for example, copper and aluminum.

How reliable do you think WAGO terminals are?

In this article we learned how to properly connect electrical wires. In the next article I will tell you about color coding of wires.

Source: http://zametkielectrika.ru/kak-pravilno-soedinyat-provoda/

Connecting electrical wires - reliable methods

First, let's define what a distribution box is? This is a hollow device made of polymer, round, rectangular and square in shape with a lid and special cable entries. Used to connect conductors together.

Today, a variety of conductor connections are made. This diversity depends on various factors:

• wire section;
• core material (CU, AL);
• number of conductors;
• operating conditions (temperature, climate).

Knowing all these factors, connections are selected in such a way as to comply with certain electrical and fire safety requirements. In addition, you need to consider in which places such boxes with conductor connections will be used:

• dry rooms;
• wet areas;
• especially raw.

Connecting electrical wires in a junction box

To determine which connection method to choose under certain conditions, you need to refer to the PUE (Electrical Installation Rules). According to paragraph 2.1.21, from PUE -7 of the main document on electrical installation, all end connections of wires and cables must be carried out by means of:

• crimping with sleeves;
• clamps (using a bolt, screw);
• welding;
• adhesions.

Connecting wires using crimping sleeves

Connecting wires using a sleeve followed by crimping is the most reliable method and has good electrical contact.

How to connect wires:

• strip the insulation from electrical wires of a certain length;

• take a sleeve of the appropriate length and diameter;

• insert bare wires into the sleeve;
• crimp (press) the sleeve in two or three places with a special power tool (press pliers);

• Apply insulating material (heat-shrink tubing) to the sleeve.

If you don't have heat shrink tubing, you can use insulating tape.

You must take into account that the sleeves are selected in such a way that the diameter of the twisted wires matches the inner diameter of the sleeve. You should not use a sleeve that is not the right size.

How to connect wires using clamps - nut or bolt type

The most common way to connect wires is with a Walnut clamp. This clamp received this name because of its external resemblance to a nut. They are produced in different sizes for connecting both thin and thick wires.

The inside of the “Nut” consists of two main and one intermediate metal plates. There are 4 screws along the edges of the plates. The plates themselves are placed in an insulated carbolite housing, consisting of two parts.

The design feature of Oreshok is that aluminum and copper wires can be connected into one circuit using an intermediate plate.

A bolted connection is also used to connect wires. For a certain cross-section of wires, the size of the bolt is selected. For example, for a wire cross-section of 1.5 - 4 mm², a bolt with a diameter of 6 mm is suitable, for a cross-section of 6 - 10 mm², a bolt diameter of 8 mm, 16 - 35 mm², a diameter of 10 mm.

To connect aluminum to copper using a bolt, a washer is also used - a gasket.

After carefully compressing the wires using a nut, this connection is isolated.

Advantages:

• low cost;
• good insulation for "Nut"
• It is possible to connect aluminum conductors with copper conductors.

Flaws:

• loosening of the threaded connection in the “Oreshok”;
• plenty of insulation for bolted connections;
• The connection dimensions are suitable for large junction boxes.

Connecting wires using welding

One of the best ways to connect wires in a box is welding. How is this all done?

To begin with, the insulation is removed from the ends of the wires. Then the wires are twisted together. The ends are ready for welding.

Welding of wires is carried out with a special welding machine with a voltage of 12 - 36 V. The welding current is regulated depending on the cross-section and number of wires, from 70 to 120 A and the power of the device is sufficiently 500 - 600 W. The work can also be carried out using an inverter welding machine.

For welding I use special graphite electrodes for aluminum and graphite-copper electrodes for copper. The work is carried out in special glasses to protect the eyes from the electric arc.

One cable of the welding machine with a clamp or pliers is connected to the twist, and the second to the electrode holder (holders). The electrode is brought to the tip of the twist and when touched, contact occurs and an arc appears, with the help of which copper or aluminum wires are melted so that a droplet appears. This is enough to make the most reliable contact.

The only drawback of this connection is that when disconnecting the wires, if necessary, you will have to bite off the tip of the twist (welding site).

Soldering wires with solder

An equally wonderful option for connecting wires and ensuring good contact is using ordinary soldering. To use this method, you will need a little soldering skill using an electric soldering iron.

It is best to take a soldering iron with a power of 80 W or 100 W - this is what you need. With this soldering iron you can quickly heat the place (twist) where you will apply the molten solder.

For soldering, POS-30, POS-40 solder is best suited. For such solder you will need rosin or SKF flux (alcohol-rosin flux), which is applied to the soldering area before heating.

In addition to the material listed above, specialists use a so-called solder tube for soldering, which contains rosin inside. This tube is sold in almost every electrical goods store.

It is highly recommended not to use soldering acid. After soldering, its trace remains on the twist and over time the acid will only corrode the twist, which will lead to dire consequences.

And so, to solder wires you will need inexpensive material and an electric soldering iron. This connection by soldering is a more affordable and simpler method.

Connecting wires with terminals

One way or another, connecting wires using twists will eventually disappear into summer. And their place will be taken by those materials and devices that will meet the requirements of modernity and a more professional approach.

Today, terminals are increasingly being used to connect wires. One of the nice features of the terminals is the quick connection of wires of different metals, which avoids direct contact between metals.

Existing terminal requirements:

• information about permissible voltage;
• information about the cross-section of the core;
• increased heat resistance;
• reliable fixation of the wire core;
• corrosion resistance.

The terminals are: knife, spring and screw.

Knife terminals are mainly used for grounding or grounding. They are convenient because you don’t need a power tool, you can quickly connect and disconnect the contact, which saves time.

Spring terminals have become very popular. Such terminals include products from WAGO. Using WAGO terminals you will receive: simple and quick installation, reliable connection of conductors.

Screw terminals (terminal blocks) are housing cells, each of which contains a metal tube with screws.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2J-6t4Rfb0

Installation work with this type of terminal is not difficult; you just need a screwdriver to tighten or unscrew the screw that presses the exposed wire core inside the tube.

Connecting electrical wires outdoors

What to do if there is such a need to connect wires on the street, in the open air?

Street connections are made in different ways: using a “nut”, bolted connection, twisting. For some time, such connections perform well, but then oxidation of the wire cores, weakening of the bolted connection, and rust occur. The problem begins.

You need to understand that such a connection will be negatively affected by precipitation, summer heat, and frost. To minimize this impact and make a good connection, you first need to prepare a set of materials:

• IP65 junction box;
• sleeves for crimping;
• conductive paste;
• Heat-shrinkable adhesive tube.

Lead the cable or wire into the junction box. Place the sleeves on the bare wires using conductive paste and crimp them.

If you have one aluminum wire and the other copper, then use copper-aluminum sleeves.

Next, take adhesive heat-shrinkable tubes prepared in advance and cut to the required size and put them on the sleeves.

By exposing the tubes to high temperature, we casing the sleeves. To apply high temperature to the tubes, use a gas burner, a blowtorch or a professional electric hair dryer.

After the thermopipes have cooled, carefully place the finished connections in the box and close the box tightly with the lid.

This connection will provide you with high reliability for many, many years.

Conclusion

In this article you looked at all types of correct connection of wires that do not exist today. Choose the type of connection that is suitable for your operating conditions.

You may not be able to perform some types of installation work due to lack of skills, tools, or you doubt the correctness of your actions. Then resort to hiring a specialist who, due to his experience, will do everything right.

Don’t forget that proper installation of electrical wiring is the key to your electrical and fire safety.

Source: https://electromc.ru/soedinenie-elektricheskix-provodov/

How to connect copper wires to each other

When performing electrical wiring, you inevitably face the need to connect sections of wires to each other. Connections are made in junction boxes that are mounted in the wall or on the wall. Usually in such a box the wires leading to the machine in the distribution panel and the wires going to the socket, lamp, switch are connected. Another wire can go in transit from our box to the next one. All connections, of course, are made in accordance with the diagram.

Wall Mounted Junction Box

So. Before you run and connect the wires, let’s remember what main types of connections exist:

• twisting of wires and their further soldering or welding;
• connection using terminal blocks;
• connection using “nuts”;
• connection of neutral wires using connecting busbars;
• spring terminals type WAGO;
• use of bolted connections.
• connection using sleeves.

The good old way of joining - twisting

To twist the wires and insulate the twisted area, you don’t need anything other than pliers and electrical tape. High-quality and carefully made strands of copper wires last for several decades. Don’t forget to clean the exposed areas of the conductor core (TCC) before twisting them.

For greater reliability, the twist can be soldered using standard tin-lead solder and rosin or other flux. It is even better to pass a short-term welding current through the joint.

At the end of the twist, a bead (drop) of copper is formed; such a connection will last until the insulation is destroyed. Only copper conductors can be welded and soldered. But if we look at the PUE. then we will see that twisting is prohibited. especially in wooden houses and baths.

therefore they do twisting with soldering or welding.

twisting with soldering and twisting by welding

In general, it is much more difficult to achieve reliable connections for aluminum conductors than for copper. When twisting aluminum wires, due to the mechanical properties of the material, it is very easy to tear or break the exposed part of the TPG.

Using screw and generally threaded connections for aluminum wires, it is necessary to periodically stretch the contacts, since the material “floats” over time, the contact resistance gradually deteriorates, and as a result, the contact may burn out and, in the worst case, a fire.

The main problem that can arise when performing conventional twisting is electrochemical corrosion when trying to connect wires made of different materials; it is especially dangerous to try to twist wires made of copper and aluminum. In practice, there are more than one cases where such connections had to be redone.

To perform twists that are homogeneous in material, PPE (connecting insulating clamp) is widely used. The PPE cap is screwed onto the wires connected together, ensuring their twisting and squeezing the exposed areas of the TPG. The insulation of such a connection is quite reliable, and certainly no worse than using electrical tape. When using PPE, it is necessary to very carefully ensure that the sizes of the cap and the connected wires match.

Terminal blocks

Connections using terminal blocks are widely used. The plastic body of the pad contains contact sleeves (usually brass) with internal threads. Reliable contact is ensured by screws that clamp the wire inserted into the sleeve.

Branch cable clamps

To reliably connect wires made of different materials and to branch wires from the main (main) line without breaking it, cable clamps (“nuts”) are used. The “nut” core consists of two pressure dies and a separating central plate.

This entire structure is bolted together. The main feature of cable compression is that the connected cores contact each other only through a steel separating plate.

Often, “nuts” are used when installing an input into a house or apartment to transition from the main aluminum wire to copper internal wiring.

Walnut clamp without cover

"Nut" fully assembled

Connection bars

To connect a large number of working neutral or protective grounding conductors in distribution panels, busbars are widely used. The zero bus is attached to the panel structure or installed on a DIN rail through an insulating stand, the “earth” bus is attached directly to the housing. Both buses have several holes with clamping screws for connecting cores.

Grounding bus

When using screw terminals, the force with which the core is pressed against the contact weakens over time, especially in the case of contact with aluminum. The contact deteriorates and the junction begins to heat up. This leads to the need for periodic inspection and tightening of threaded contacts.

Spring terminals

Screwless spring terminals significantly speed up the installation process. Their design was developed by the German company WAGO in the fifties of the twentieth century. Terminals for construction installation based on flat spring clamps allow you to reliably connect any copper and single-core aluminum wires in any combination without the use of special tools.

The main advantage of spring terminals is that the spring itself is always movable; spring steel clamps create a specified clamping force throughout the entire service life of the terminal. It automatically matches the cross-section of the conductor; force is applied to the surface of the conductor without deforming it. This ensures constant contact.

Wire installation in WAGO 222 series

The use of spring terminals allows you to reduce electrical installation time (this is especially important for large volumes of work), there is a separate terminal space for each conductor, the conductors are not damaged, reliable protection is provided against accidental touching of non-insulated contacts, all connections look aesthetically pleasing and compact.

There are spring terminals with plug-in contacts (for example, WAGO terminals 773, 2273 series). These terminals can only be used for single-core wires. The bare end of the core is simply inserted into such a terminal block with little effort. To disconnect the contact, the wire is also unscrewed from the terminal block with a little force.

Even more convenient are universal terminals - “latches” (for example, WAGO terminals of the 222, 221 series). They can be used when assembling temporary circuits, since establishing and disconnecting contact takes a few seconds. These terminals allow you to connect wires of different materials and different cross-sections.

The tinned busbar ensures a permanently reliable and gas-tight connection. For example, the performance characteristics of the 221 series are 32 A/450 V and a maximum temperature of 105 °C. 221 series terminals can be used at ambient temperatures up to 85 °C.

It is recommended that before connecting the aluminum wire, fill the terminal with a special contact paste that removes the oxide film and prevents further oxidation of the wire. The WAGO product range includes terminals filled with such paste during manufacture.

WAGO 308 with paste

There are special spring terminals for connecting lamps. Typical parameters of such terminals are that on the mounting side it is possible to connect one or two copper or aluminum single-core wires with a cross-section of up to 2.5 square meters. mm; on the luminaire side - any copper wire of the same cross-section. The rated current for copper wires is 24 A, for aluminum - 16 A.

Connecting different materials with a bolt

When connecting copper and aluminum wires, it is necessary to prevent direct contact of these metals. To do this, you can use branch cable clamps (“nuts”). Spring terminal connectors can be used. You can use a regular steel bolt onto which insulated wire ends made of different materials are wound. Between the wires, a steel washer must be placed on the bolt; it is advisable to spring it with a Grover washer for the durability of the connection.

The final view of connecting wires made of different metals

Sleeve connections

The most reliable connection method is a sleeve connection. It is necessary to select the sleeve itself for the cross-section of the wires. Place the wires on one side and the other and use special pliers to crimp the sleeve with the wires.

Crimping the sleeve with a special press

After this, the sleeve is insulated with electrical tape or heat-shrink tubing. Certainly. The connection quality is good, but the work increases significantly. Moreover, it is difficult to select and buy cartridges in a store.

Source: https://electricremont.ru/kak-soedinit-mednye-provoda-mezhdu-soboj.html

Is it possible to connect wires of different sections - how can you reliably connect copper wires of different sections

How to connect wires of different sections?

In private construction, sooner or later the need to install electrical networks arises. Some people turn to specialists for help, others want to do it themselves. The process itself is not very difficult if you have certain skills and knowledge of safety standards, but this mainly concerns the connection of wires of the same cross-section.

But quite often situations arise when it is necessary to reliably connect three or more wires to each other, and they all have different cross-sections. In this regard, the question of how to correctly and safely connect wires of different sections is currently one of the most pressing when installing electrical networks.

Methods for connecting wires of different sections

Connecting copper wires of different thicknesses is not the most difficult process. However, for maximum reliability and safety, certain requirements must be observed here. There are several ways to connect three wires of different cross-sections:

• welding or soldering;
• using screw clamps;
• using self-clamping terminals;
• bolted connection;
• branch compression;
• using copper tips.

Three wires of different cross-sections can be reliably connected using any of the listed methods, but it is important to remember that when installing sockets and switches, cables of different thicknesses cannot be connected to one contact. In this case, the thinnest one will not be pressed tightly enough. And this, in turn, can negatively affect operational safety.

Connecting wires of different sections by welding or soldering

The simplest, but fairly reliable way to connect cables that have different thicknesses. In this case, three wires can be connected to each other using rigid twisting and subsequent fixation. But here it should be remembered that a reliable connection is only possible between wires of approximately the same cross-section. Twisting of wires whose diameters differ significantly cannot be reliable.

You need to carefully twist three wires of different sections together. Each copper wire should tightly wrap around the adjacent one. The gaps between them should be minimal. Otherwise, this will affect the safety of subsequent operation.

Before you begin directly twisting the three wires, lay them out in front of you and sort them by thickness. You cannot wind a thin wire onto a thick one - this will affect the quality of the contact. Such a connection will not last long.

Connecting three wires of different sections using screw terminals

Three wires of different thicknesses can be reliably connected to each other using special ZVI screw clamps. The clamps have a very convenient design and allow you to create contact between cables that have different cross-sections. The strength of the connection is achieved by using separate screws for each clamp.

You need to select ZVI clamps taking into account the cross-section of the wires that will be connected, as well as their current load. For reliable contact, it is recommended to connect three wires of adjacent sections. Let us conventionally designate the cross-section of the connected conductors as SPP, and the permissible long-term current as DDT. Below are the parameters of clamps and wires:

• ZVI-3 – SPP 1 – 2.5; DDT – 3;
• ZVI-5 – SPP 1.5 – 4; DDT – 5;
• ZVI-10 – SPP 2.5 – 6; DDT - 10;
• ZVI-15 – SPP 4 – 10; DDT - 15;
• ZVI-20 – SPP 4 – 10; DDT - 20;
• ZVI-30 – SPP 6 – 16; DDT - 30;
• ZVI-60 – SPP 6 – 16; DDT - 60;
• ZVI-80 – SPP 10 – 25; DDT - 80;
• ZVI-100 – SPP 10 – 25; DDT - 100;
• ZVI-150 – SPP 16 – 35; DDT - 150.

With the right choice of screw clamp, you can create a truly reliable connection that will ensure uninterrupted operation of the electrical network.

Connect wires of different sections using bolts

Another way to connect wires of different sections to each other is to create contact using bolts, washers and nuts. According to professional electricians, this connection is the most durable and strong. The process itself is not too complicated and takes minimal time. The procedure goes as follows:

• the copper conductors of the wire are carefully stripped (the length of the stripped section of the conductor depends on the diameter of the bolt);
• the stripped core is bent into a loop;
• the loop is put on the bolt;
• an intermediate washer is installed on top;
• then a loop of wire of a different cross-section is put on and secured with an intermediate washer.

This continues until all the wires are connected to each other. After putting on the last loop and the last washer, the structure is firmly tightened with a nut.

Using copper lugs for contact connections

Another very simple way to create a reliable connection is to use copper lugs. They are recommended to be used for contacting large diameter wires. Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to prepare not only the tips themselves, but also special equipment - crimping pliers or a hydraulic press.

Despite all the obvious advantages, this type of connection has one (but significant) drawback - it is quite large in size, due to which the resulting structure may not fit into every junction box. Nevertheless, specialists actively use this method.

The process of creating a contact is as follows:

• wires of different sections are carefully straightened;
• the veins of each of them are stripped to about two to three centimeters;
• a tip is put on each stripped core and clamped using a hydraulic press or crimping pliers;
• Then the bolts are put on, and the wires are connected with a nut.

After all the work is done, you need to carefully isolate the connection point so that no dangerous situations arise during operation.

Do-it-yourself electrical wiring and creating contacts using terminals

Universal clamp terminals appeared on the market relatively recently, but almost immediately began to be in serious demand not only among specialists, but also among potential clients who prefer to carry out all electrical work at home themselves.

Using self-clamping terminals, you can create strong and reliable contacts between several wires ( three or more ). The main advantage of such terminal blocks is their almost unlimited functionality - they can be used to connect wires whose sizes vary significantly.

The design of the terminals provides for the presence of holes into which pre-stripped conductors are inserted. For example, you can insert a wire with a cross-section of 1.5 mm into one hole, a wire with a diameter of 4 mm into another, a wire with a diameter of 4 mm into the third, and so on. And after connecting them, the contact will be quite strong and reliable.

There are several other ways to connect three or more wires of different diameters, but they are used quite rarely due to the complexity and duration of the process itself. If you want to use one of them, first consult with a specialist who is competent in this area.

Source: https://remont.youdo.com/articles/electric/soedinit-raznie-provoda/

Types of connection of electrical wires in a junction box

In a field such as electricity, all work must be carried out strictly, accurately and without a single mistake. Some people want to figure out such work on their own, not trusting third parties to carry out a responsible mission. Today we will talk about how to properly connect wires in a junction box. The work must be done efficiently, because not only the performance of electrical appliances in the house, but also the fire safety of the premises depends on it.

About the distribution box

In an apartment or house, wires from the electrical panel are routed to different rooms. There are usually several connection points: switch, sockets, and so on. In order for all the wires to be collected in one place, distribution boxes were created. They carry wiring from sockets, switches and are connected in a hollow housing.

So that during repairs you do not have to look for where the wires are hidden in the walls, electrical wiring is laid on the basis of special rules prescribed in the PUE (Electrical Installation Rules).

The main recommendation is that all connections are made in the junction box.

Distribution boxes are classified according to the type of fastening. So, there are boxes for external installation and internal installation. For the second option, you need to prepare a hole in the wall into which the box will be inserted. As a result, the box lid is located flush with the wall. Often the cover is hidden with wallpaper or plastic during repairs. As a last resort, an outer box is used, which is attached directly to the wall.

There are round or rectangular junction boxes. In any case, there will be at least 4 exits. Each outlet has a fitting or thread to which a corrugated tube is attached. This is done to quickly replace the wire. The old wire is pulled out and new wiring is laid. It is not recommended to lay the cable in a groove on the wall. If the electrical wiring burns out, you will have to dig into the wall and disturb the finish in order to carry out repair work.

What are distribution boxes for?

There are many factors that speak in favor of the existence of junction boxes:

• The power system can be repaired in a matter of hours. All connections are accessible, you can easily find the area where the wires have burned out. If the cable was laid in special channels (corrugated tube, for example), then the failed cable can be replaced in an hour;
• Connections can be inspected at any time. As a rule, wiring problems occur at the connection points. If the socket or switch does not work, but there is voltage in the network, first check the quality of the connection in the junction box;
• the highest level of fire safety is created. It is believed that dangerous places are connections. Using a box will keep them in one place.
• minimal time and financial costs when repairing wiring. There is no need to look for broken wires in the walls.

Connecting the wires in the box

There are several ways in which conductor connections can be made in junction boxes. Note that there are simple and complex methods, however, if executed correctly, all options will ensure the reliability of the electrical wiring.

Method number 1. Twisting method

It is believed that the twisting method is used by amateurs. At the same time, this is one of the most reliable and proven options. PUE do not recommend using twisting, since the contact between the wires is unreliable. As a result, the conductors may overheat, putting the room at risk of fire. However, twisting can be used as a temporary measure, for example, when testing an assembled circuit.

Source: https://www.bazaznaniyst.ru/sem-sposobov-soedineniya-provodov/

Connecting wires to each other using clamps and other methods

Any man strives to ensure that the electricity supply in his own home or apartment is of high quality, uninterrupted and reliable. Therefore, when carrying out electrical installation work during construction or repairs, it is necessary to correctly connect electrical wires.

But in everyday life you still have to face problems when the wire of a lamp breaks or the socket stops working.

Of course, if you have basic knowledge of electrical engineering and the ability to carry out electrical installation work, it is easy to fix all these faults yourself.

The connection of conductors made of different metals must be made taking into account all the properties of the material from which they are made. Currently, copper, aluminum and steel are used to transmit electrical energy.

Each of these metals has different densities, conductivities, and resistances that are taken into account when making good electrical contact.

It is also necessary to take into account the magnitude of the electrochemical potential that arises when current is applied to the metal.

serious problems can arise , which are encountered by many specialists who repair wiring in apartments. Previously, copper wires , which were much superior to aluminum in terms of electrical performance. And now the use of copper conductors has faded into the background.

Aluminum, having a high level of oxidation, forms a specific film when combined, which has a fairly high electrical resistance . This property manifests itself especially in humid environments.

The same film is formed on copper, only its resistance is much lower. Therefore, due to this difference in resistance, direct connection of these metals results in difficult electrical conductivity.

And oxidative processes lead to sparking, heating and fire of wires .

Methods for safe contact

To create reliable contact between electrical wires, there are several methods, both using special equipment and using improvised means.

Types of wire connections:

1. Twisting (twisting) is the most common method, the use of which is desirable for temporary connections.
2. Welding is the most reliable method that ensures excellent contact of conductors. Requires welding equipment and certain skills to carry out the work.
3. Soldering - has excellent connection performance, but requires compliance with the temperature regime (not higher than 65℃).
4. Terminal blocks are a fairly simple and reliable connection.
5. Connecting wires using clamps - subject to operating conditions, allows you to obtain excellent contact. Installs very quickly.
6. Crimping with sleeves requires special pliers and knowledge of installation technology, but the method is very reliable.
7. Bolted connection - used in difficult situations, easy to perform and does not require special devices.

When choosing the type of connection, it is necessary to take into account: the material of the conductive part; wire section; number of conductors; type of insulation; terms of Use. Most often, the selection of the type of connection is carried out at the work site.

This technological operation is common to all methods of connecting conductors. Before combining the wires into a common electrical unit, it is necessary to strip them of the insulation layer.

The easiest way to do this work is with a mechanic's knife, but in this case there is a possibility of damage to the conductive core. To avoid this, you need to:

1. Place the wire on the table surface.
2. Press it with the index finger of your left hand.
3. Holding the knife in your right hand, cut the insulation. In this case, it is necessary to direct the blade at an angle to the cut so as not to damage the core. Otherwise, the conductor may break.
4. Using the finger of your left hand, twist the conductor one turn to cut the insulation.
5. Remove the cut piece of the insulating sheath.

Experienced electricians have a multifunctional tool in their arsenal - a stripper, which is designed for cutting cables and removing insulation. This device does not damage the core when removing insulation from a conductor of any cross-section, since it has a special calibrated recess for the required wire diameter.

The length of insulation stripping is selected in accordance with the method of connecting the conductors.

Twisting method

The simplest and most well-known method of connecting electrical wires is twisting them (twisting). Experienced electricians often call it the old-fashioned method.

Previously, this type of connection was used everywhere, but with increasing load in the electrical network of a modern apartment, twisting became prohibited . However, this connection method must be studied first, since it is the main step in soldering and welding wires.

The main advantage of twisting is the absence of any material costs, since you only need pliers and a knife to remove the insulation. And of course, the advantage of twisting is the ease of its execution. Anyone who has held pliers in their hands can do this job without any problems.

Over time, the twist weakens , which is its main disadvantage. This process is connected with the fact that in any veins there is residual elastic deformation. Therefore, at the point of twisting, the contact resistance increases, which leads to weakening of the contact and heating of the conductor. It’s good if this defect is discovered in time and the joint can be redone, but a fire may occur .

But if for some reason you do not have the opportunity to use more reliable methods, then you definitely need to familiarize yourself with how to properly connect the wires to each other using the twisting method. To do this, you first need to strip the cores of 70-80 mm of insulation.

Then, holding both conductors where the insulation ends, use pliers to grab the ends of the wires and rotate them clockwise.

The main condition for reliable twisting is the simultaneous rotation of the conductors , and not alternately winding them on each other.

If the diameter of the wires is small, then twisting can be done entirely by hand. With your left hand you need to hold the conductors along the cut of the insulation, and with your right hand you need to rotate the conductors by the bend (10-15 mm) clockwise. For tighter contact at the end of the rotation, you can use pliers.

The next step is to insulate the junction of the wires. Insulating tape is used for this. To ensure reliability and protect the contact from moisture, you need to wind the tape in several layers, with 2-3 cm of overlap between the wire insulation. A very good option for insulation is the use of thermal tubes; the main thing is not to forget to put it on one of the cores.

Professional electricians advise not to stop at the stage of twisting the wires, but to strengthen the joint by soldering or welding.

The type of connection in which electrical wires are joined using molten solder is called soldering. This method is best applicable to wires with copper conductors, but the use of special fluxes allows you to obtain high-quality joints of other metals.

Advantages of using soldering:

• In terms of reliability, this type of connecting wires is second only to welding;
• allows you to connect both single-core and stranded wires, as well as wires with different sections;
• no maintenance of the contact point is required for the entire period of operation;
• low cost of work (flux and solder are inexpensive).

The disadvantage of soldering is considered to be rather high labor intensity. The surfaces to be soldered must be previously cleaned of oxides and tinned before twisting the wires.

An electrician must have certain qualifications and be able to use a soldering iron, because during the work it is necessary to strictly observe the temperature regime. A weakly heated or overheated contact point loses its reliability and strength.

The technological process for performing soldering looks like this:

1. The insulation is removed from the conductors by 40-50 mm.
2. Areas of exposed veins are well cleaned with sandpaper.
3. Tinning of wires is carried out. To do this, a heated soldering iron is dipped in rosin and the tip is passed several times over the cleaned surfaces.
4. The wires are twisted.
5. Place solder on the soldering iron tip and heat the twist. In this case, molten tin should fill all the gaps between the turns.
6. After cooling, the soldering is wiped with alcohol and insulated.

Welding fastening

To create the most reliable connection of the conductors after twisting, they are additionally secured by welding. The technology for making such a contact is very similar to soldering, only here a welding machine is used instead of a soldering iron.

In terms of quality and reliability, the welding method fully meets all regulatory requirements for creating electrical contact.

When creating a connection by welding, the conductors are twisted and their tip is welded. The resulting metal ball provides a very reliable connection of the wires. At the same time, reliability is due not only to the creation of high electrical characteristics, but also mechanical ones.

The main disadvantage of this type of wire connection is the presence of a welding machine and devices for such work. In addition, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the rules of working at height and fire safety.

Sequence of welding wires:

1. We strip the conductors from insulation by 60-70 mm.
2. We clean the cores mechanically (sandpaper).
3. We twist the wires, and its length must be at least 50 mm.
4. We fix the welding grounding contact on top of the twist.
5. Lightly touch the bottom of the twist with the electrode. Wire welding occurs very quickly.
6. After the contact ball has cooled, we insulate it.

As a result of such actions, an almost solid conductor is obtained, and the contact node will have the lowest transition resistance.

Connecting wires by crimping

For such a connection of conductors, special copper or aluminum sleeves are required, which are selected in accordance with the size of the bundle diameter. It is advisable to use the same material for the sleeves as that of the conductor.

The wires are stripped to the length of the sleeve , twisted and placed in a tube. Then, using special pliers, the connection is pressed and insulated.

There are tube sleeves for extending conductors, that is, for attaching them longitudinally. The wires are inserted into such sleeves from different sides of the tube, then crimped individually.

Bolt method

This connection is used in electrical circuits with high voltage. Its use is suitable for switching almost any conductor.

First, the wire is stripped of insulation. Next, a loop is formed from the free part, the diameter of which is equal to the cross-section of the bolt. Afterwards we assemble the fastening unit:

• put the washer on the bolt;
• first conductor;
• next washer;
• second conductor;
• puck again;
• screw.

Then the assembled assembly is tightened by hand, and then pressed with a wrench or pliers.

Modern docking technologies

Modern industry has mastered the production of special wire connectors, which have made work much easier and have sped up switching work:

1. Caps with built-in crimp spring . The stripped wires are inserted into such a cap and turned clockwise. With this action, the wires are securely compressed inside.
2. Terminal blocks that have tubular brass sleeves inside. Bare wires are inserted into these sleeves and clamped with screws.
3. Self-clamping terminals automatically fix the stripped wire with a special plate.
4. Lever terminal blocks are considered reusable devices. Fixation of the conductor is ensured by raising and lowering the lever.

Remember that the connection of wires must always be made on de-energized electrical networks. Without knowledge of electrical engineering, it is better to entrust work involving dangerous voltage to specialists.

Source: https://tokar.guru/metallicheskie-izdeliya/provoloka/pravilnoe-soedinenie-elektricheskih-provodov-mezhdu-soboy.html

How to connect electrical wires or cables to each other?

Requirements are requirements, and the most popular type of connection is twisting. Where quick installation is required, terminal blocks of various shapes are used. One of the types of terminal connections is spring terminals. Wago products are especially popular.

To perform a tap without breaking the line, squeezes are used, which are called nuts among electricians. It is some type of terminal connection.

Using Terminal Blocks

The terminal block consists of contacts mounted on a plate of insulating material. The contact plate has a screw on both sides with which the wire is tightened. This allows you to press a copper wire on one side of the plate, and an aluminum wire on the other side, without fear of chemical interaction between these metals.

You can connect different types of wires. On one side, a single-core wire can be attached to the plate, and on the other, a multi-core wire. Another problem that can be easily solved using a terminal block is connecting wires with different core diameters.

The terminal block can consist of one or more contact plates, which is very convenient in installation conditions. To do this, just collect the required number of plates and secure them in the right place.

Installation of PPE caps

PPE caps are often used when installing wiring. In appearance, they are very similar to the back plastic cap of a ballpoint pen. A cone-shaped spring is placed inside it. The spring is coated with oxidation-resistant metal by anodizing.

To connect the wires, you need to strip them to a length of 10 - 15 mm and fold the stripped sections into one bundle. The ends of the bundle are inserted into the cap, which is then screwed onto them until it stops. The PPE cap can connect several wires, the total cross-section of which will not exceed 20 mm².

They are produced in different sizes, so choosing the ones you need is easy. The caps are color-coded, which is convenient for identifying phase or neutral wires.

PPE brand	Number and cross-section of cores in mm²	Cap color
PPE – 1	2 x 1.5	Grey
PPE – 2	3 x 1.5	Blue
PPE – 3	2 x 2.5	Orange
PPE – 4	4 x 2.5	Yellow
PPE - 5	8 x 2.5	Red

PPE caps can significantly increase installation time because this connection does not require additional insulation. The cap material is made of non-flammable material and will not cause spontaneous combustion if overheated at the junction.

The quality of connection of PPE with caps is worse than with terminals and does not allow connecting wires of different metals.

Crimping with special sleeves

Where it is necessary to create a high-quality and reliable connection, special sleeves can be used. The sleeve is a piece of copper tube of the required diameter. The diameter of the sleeve is selected depending on the total diameter of the connected wires.

The stripped ends of the wires are inserted into the sleeve and clamped. Then a heat-shrinkable tube is put on the sleeve, which insulates this sleeve. If there is no heat shrink tube, you can use cambric or electrical tape. Wires can be inserted into the sleeve from one or both sides. For crimping, they try to use special hand press pliers.

With this connection, the sleeve cannot be used twice. During repairs, it is simply thrown away. If you use hand strippers and press pliers, you can perform installation with good productivity.

Soldering or welding

Installation using soldering is not used very often. Soldering always guarantees a reliable connection. The contact has low resistance and good mechanical strength. Soldered wires are less susceptible to damage due to ingress of moisture.

To connect by soldering, it is necessary to strip the wires by 40 - 50 mm, tin with rosin and twist. Then solder is applied to the twisted ends and heated until it spreads evenly over the entire twist and flows inside. The appearance of the soldered wires should be shiny.

After soldering, the sharp ends are treated to prevent damage to the insulating material. Any available type can be used as insulation.

This connection can be considered the most labor-intensive. The soldering process requires certain skills. Installation in this way at a height using improvised means is not very convenient. When connecting by soldering, it is necessary to leave some reserve in case of repair.

In some cases, a connection using the contact welding method is used. The process itself is similar to the soldering method, but the stripped twisted wires are not coated with solder. A welding transformer is used for connection. The ends of the wires are heated until they fuse into one metal ball.

For insulation, put a heat-shrinkable tube or wrap it with electrical tape on the welded ends.

Stranding and insulation

The rules of the PUE completely reject twisting, but in practice, connecting wires by twisting is used almost everywhere. But you need to know how to twist, and then it will last for decades. To do this, strip the wires according to this calculation. That the twist should be at least 4 - 5 cm long.

The cleaned areas are cleaned of the oxide film with a knife blade or fine sandpaper. The ends of the wires are crossed at a certain angle at the end of the insulation and twisted tightly with pliers. The twist should be even and tight. From above it is insulated with existing insulation.

Twisted connections cannot be made for wires of different sections. Do not twist wires made of different metals. Twisting a single-core wire with a stranded wire is not allowed. This connection is used only where there is no fire-technical acceptance of repairs.

Walnut clamp

The nut-type branch clamp is designed for making branches from main wires without breaking. At the point where the outlet is connected, a section of insulation is removed and a “nut” is attached to this place. The clamp consists of a carbolite body and a steel clamp. The clamp consists of two plates and screws. Each plate has a recess for a certain cross-section of wire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRHLv23JFv4

One plate is placed under the wire and covered with another plate on top. Both plates are clamped with screws, and between them there is a wire and a tap. To choose the right “nut” depending on the diameter of the wire, you need to use the table.

Clamp type	Line cross-section mm²	Branch section mm²	Clamp dimensions
U731M	4 – 10	1.5 – 10	42 x 41 x 31
U733M	16 – 35	1.5 – 10	42 x 41 x 31
U734M	16 – 35	16 – 25	42 x 41 x 31
U739M	4 – 10	1.5 – 2.5	42 x 36 x 23
U859M	50 – 70	4 – 35	62 x 61 x 43.5
U870M	95 – 150	16 – 50	84 x 85 x 60
U871M	95 – 150	50 – 95	84 x 85 x 60
U872M	95 — 150	95 — 120	84 x 85 x 60

To make the connection, you need to disassemble the carbolite body. It consists of two halves compressed by two retaining rings. If the rings are pryed and removed, the body will fall apart. If the wires are made of different metals, then it is necessary to use an additional plate. It will prevent contact of different metals and further oxidation process, which will worsen the contact. The screws are tightened with reasonable torque and inserted into the housing.

Using a bolt

The bolt connection is most often used when it is necessary to connect copper and aluminum wires. Stripped wires are put on a regular steel bolt, and steel washers and a Grover washer are put between them. The entire “sandwich” is pulled together and wrapped with insulating tape.

What to do if there are several wires?

To connect multiple wires, you can use a terminal block. To do this, you need to connect one half of the contact plates with one wire. The number of such plates must be equal to the number of wires. The remaining wires are attached to the opposite contacts of the plates.

You can take a terminal block with a number of plates equal to the number of wires divided in half. Then one half of the wires is clamped onto one half, and the other half onto the other half of the contacts.

Multiple wires can be connected using a bolt. Place a steel washer between the wires, and put a Grover washer under the nut.

Identical wires can be connected using a PPE cap using known technology or by welding.

What to do if the wires are of different sections?

If you need to connect wires with cores of different sections, you can use:

• Soldering or welding;
• Bolted connection;
• Connection with self-clamping terminals;
• Screw terminals;
• Branch clamp;
• Copper lugs and bolted connection.

Combining stranded and single-core products

The connection of stranded and single-core wires can be made using:

• Solder connection;
• Connection with special sleeves;
• Terminal connections;
• Connection with lugs.

How to carry out work in water and on land?

All outdoor electrical wiring must be carefully protected from moisture. For installation, it is necessary to choose cable products that are designed for such work. The cable must have at least two insulating layers. In addition to the existing insulation, the wire must be placed in a corrugation. For installation in the ground - in a pipe with sealed couplings.

All sockets, switches, lamps and other elements must be manufactured in the appropriate design. On water, only low voltage is used for power supply. All connecting elements are placed above the water level.

Source: https://electricity-help.ru/ustanovka-i-podklyuchenie/kak-soedinit-yelektricheskie-provoda/

Wiring in the apartment. Wire connection methods

  Installation of electrical wiring requires high-quality and safe connection of all conductors.

When carrying out electrical installation work, it is important to know that the connection points in the circuit are the most vulnerable elements, because the reliability of the wiring largely depends on the quality of all electrical connections.

The fact is that 80% of errors when installing electrical wiring occur in this area. Problems with wiring arise due to poor contact in junction boxes, machine terminals or fittings - sockets, switches, lamps.

In the sixties of the last century, all electrical wiring was done with aluminum wire. At the same time, ordinary twists were a standard connection of wires.

Of course, there were not as many household electrical appliances as there are now. The power consumption of all electrical appliances was an order of magnitude lower than the current innovations of civilization.

Therefore, the installation performed with aluminum wiring met the needs, and it was allowed to connect the wires with simple twists.

 Requirements for modern wiring

Today, wiring is carried out only with copper cables and wires, which makes it possible to connect any powerful modern electrical appliances. International standards indicate that aluminum wires are considered the most fire hazardous. Wires can be connected in various ways, specified in the rules for electrical installations - PUE 7.

From this point we see - SIMPLY Twisting is PROHIBITED!!! Twists are only possible as temporary connections before their final installation.

   Here's the thing. Over time, the properties of the contact connection may deteriorate due to various reasons. When twisted, a gap appears between the connected wires and the transition resistance increases. Which threatens to heat up the twist and destroy the insulation of the wires.

Copper conductor oxidizes in air already at room temperature. Accordingly, the contact resistance of the contact increases, the twist begins to heat up and oxidize, which can ultimately lead to an accident. The higher the temperature of the contact connection itself, the faster the contact oxidizes.

The formation of an oxide film leads to an even greater increase in the transient twist resistance.

Welding

When installing electrics, we use welding to reliably connect wire strands in the junction box. Due to the electric arc, the cable cores are heated until a characteristic ball is formed at the end of the twist.

The metal is fused into a single drop, resulting in virtually a monolithic wire.

The resistance of such a connection is very low (it does not heat up under load) and then the current no longer flows through the twist itself, but through the place of least resistance - the resulting drop! This connection will serve you for many years, maintaining its properties.

Screw connections

 To connect wire outlets to sconces or chandeliers, we use screw connections - terminal blocks. Reliable contact is achieved by screws that clamp the wire inserted into the sleeve. A big advantage of connections on terminal blocks is the ability to connect wires made of different materials that do not come into direct contact here.

Bolted connections

  Bolted connection of cable cores is necessary in cases where it is necessary to connect cores made of different metals, for example, aluminum and copper. This connection is assembled from a bolt of a suitable diameter, a nut and several washers.

It is used very rarely. A properly executed bolted connection fully satisfies all PUE standards.

Therefore, when repairing old electrical wiring, when it is necessary to use cables made of different materials, it is better to choose this connection.

Connecting wires using connecting insulating clamps

 PPE caps, also known as connecting insulating clips, are made of a plastic casing containing a cone-shaped spring. PPE is twisted clockwise until it stops.

Thus, the metal spring located in the clamp moves apart and compresses the twist, forming a tight contact. As a rule, we use PPE when there is no other option. When using PPE, you need to ensure that the sizes of the cap and the connected conductors match.

With their help, you can connect several single wires with a total area of ​​up to 20 mm2.

Self-clamping connections type WAGO

   WAGO self-clamping terminals, based on a spring clamp, are ideal for installing spotlights or chandeliers. Inside these devices there is a metal plate, which provides the desired degree of contact.

The wires are connected simply, just place the stripped wires into the terminal connectors, where they will be firmly fixed and the connection between them will be ensured through the conductive material of the internal terminal mechanism. Its main advantage is simplicity, convenience and speed of installation.

If you need wiring installation in your apartment at an affordable price, contact us! We will answer all your questions!

Source: https://elektromontaj-61.ru/stati/provodka-v-kvartire-sposoby-soedineniya-provodov/

How to properly connect stranded wires to each other

In stranded wires, the cross-section is formed by several, sometimes intertwined, cores. Knowing how to connect stranded wires to each other, you can easily do this work yourself and get a strong contact that is absolutely safe during operation.

Where are stranded wires used?

Any stranded conductor contains at its base a large number of thin wires. The use of a multi-core cable is important in areas that require a large number of bends or, if necessary, to pull the conductor through holes that are too narrow and long enough.

The scope of application of stranded conductors is presented:

• extended tees;
• mobile lighting devices;
• automotive wiring;
• connecting lighting fixtures to the electrical network;
• connecting switches or other types of levers to influence the electrical network.

Flexible stranded conductors can be twisted repeatedly and easily, which does not negatively affect the functionality of the system. Among other things, this particular type of electrical wiring is distinguished by plasticity, and greater flexibility and elasticity is imparted to the wire by weaving a special thread, which in strength and composition is a bit like nylon.

Methods for connecting stranded wires to each other

The methods used today for electrical connections of stranded conductors are distinguished by the ability to obtain not only strong, reliable and durable, but also completely safe contact of the conductors.

Stranding of stranded conductors

This option is the easiest to implement and intuitive, not requiring the use of special equipment or professional tools.

Twisting is the easiest way to connect stranded wires

1. Strip the conductors at the ends of the conductors from the insulating layer and place them on top of each other. Twist the exposed strands overlapping each other.

   Before connecting the wires, the ends must be cleaned

2. Strengthen the twist using pliers. Simple parallel twisting is quite reliable from the point of view of contact between the cores, but vibration and mechanical forces applied to break can easily destroy the strength of such a connection.

   Use pliers to twist the wires together

The second method consists of the following steps:

1. Strip the conductor cores from the insulating layer and place them on top of each other crosswise.

   Peel the insulating layer of the wires and stack the wires on top of each other

2. Wrap one bare wire around the other over the entire surface.

   Wrap one wire around another

   Wrap the wires

3. Visually verify the strength of the winding. Using simple or traditional twisting, the electrical connection of additional conductors to the main, leading electrical wiring line is carried out.

Twisting wires using the third method:

1. Remove insulation from the ends of the conductors. Place the bare ends on top of each other and wind the first core.

   Place the wires on top of each other

2. Wind the second core, then visually verify the reliability of the connection. The sequential twisting method involves “winding” each connected conductor onto another, which ensures optimal contact of the cores.

   Wind one of the cores

   In this method, one wire is “wound” around another

There is also a fourth method, which is as follows:

1. Using a sharp knife, strip the ends of the conductors from insulation and align them along the length.

   Align the wires in length

2. Bend the connected stripped ends and wrap them with a piece of another core.

   Twist the folded strands with a piece of conductor

3. Perform a visual inspection of the connection and make sure it is secure. Band twisting consists of parallel application of the connected cores to each other and subsequent fixation of the resulting connection using a tightly laid soft conductor.

   Bandage twisting ensures a reliable connection of cores

Soldering method

Soldering the conductors using a household soldering iron ensures high-strength contact and good electrical conductivity. Tinning of stranded conductors is carried out using rosin (flux) and standard solder using standard technology.

1. Strip the wires of insulation and remove any resulting oxidation if necessary.

   Remove all oxidation from the wires

2. Heat the wires with a soldering iron tip until the flux melts and immerse the heated wire in a container with rosin.

   Heat the wire with a soldering iron and immerse it in rosin.

3. Apply molten solder to the soldering iron tip and carefully transfer it to the exposed parts of the core. After tinning, the wires should be connected to each other by twisting, which must be “tightened” with pliers.

   Tighten the twist with pliers

Terminal type connections

The use of terminals of different types is the most accessible way to connect multi-core wires in everyday life. In most cases, the terminal blocks used are divided into a couple of main types.

The principle of operation of clamping terminals involves fixing the wire using a built-in spring mechanism.

Terminals are often used to connect wires

The screw-type terminal block involves reliable fixation of all connected stranded wires using a screw. To increase the area of ​​wire contact with a conductive surface, an additional bend of the core is required.

The wires in the terminal block are secured by tightening the screws

Stage-by-stage execution of work:

1. Strip the ends of the conductor and align them in length according to the depth of the terminal block.

   Align the wires in length

2. When connecting more than one conductor to the terminal block at the same time, you must first connect the wires by parallel twisting.

   First you need to twist the wires

3. Check the reliability of the twisting and then fix the wires in the connector hole.

   Fix the wires

Crimping method

The crimping method involves connecting wires or cables using a copper or aluminum sleeve using special crimping pliers of a hydraulic or manual type.

In this case, the connection is made using a special sleeve

The pressing technology involves stripping the insulation according to the length of the sleeve, and conductors that are too thin should be connected by twisting. Then all the cables are folded together and placed inside the sleeve, after which double crimping is performed along the entire length. The method allows for a reliable and safe connection of multi-core wires made of different types of materials.

Bolted connection

The simplest, but not reliable enough way to connect stranded wires is twisting followed by bolting. This detachable connection option is most often used in open wiring conditions.

Bolted connection is the simplest, but not very reliable

To increase the level of reliability of the connection of stranded wires, it is recommended to strip the ends of insulation, then tin the cleaned areas and fasten them with a bolt.

Application of connecting insulating clamps

PPE elements are used when it is necessary to connect multi-core wires with a small cross-section (within 25 mm2). The design feature of this clamp is a plastic body with a built-in cone-shaped spring.

This method is suitable for connecting wires with a small cross-section

Stranded wires are first connected into one bundle using twisting, onto which the clamping part is then screwed. Among other things, the wire connection does not require additional insulation.

Welding method

A permanent connection is the most reliable method when working with multi-core wires. When welding is performed correctly, the general indicators of mechanical strength and contact resistance in terms of reliability do not differ from similar parameters of a solid conductor.

Welding connection of wires is considered the most reliable

Welding can be performed on alternating and direct current. At the preparatory stage, the wires are stripped of insulation, after which they are twisted and straightened by trimming the ends. To ensure that the conductors do not overheat during the welding process, it is necessary to ensure high-quality heat removal.

Security measures

In order to ensure safe operation of connected stranded wires, it is important to insulate all parts of the electrical wiring.

Proper insulation helps prevent dangerous contact of conductive parts with each other or with the human body.

When choosing an insulating material, it is necessary to take into account the operating conditions of the electrical circuit, but in most cases, insulating tape, as well as a special vinyl or heat-shrinkable tube, are used for this purpose.

If the connection area is exposed to the negative effects of high temperatures, it is recommended to use varnished cloth or fabric insulating tape as an insulating material.

Correct execution of all stages of electrical installation is of no small importance.

Only with reliable connection and proper connection of all elements of the electrical network is it possible to minimize the risk of areas with poor contact, and also prevent local overheating and electrical wiring breaks.

Multicore cables are a popular and widespread option, widely used for arranging electrical wiring for various purposes. The general rules for the separate connection of stranded and single-core conductors do not have any differences or features, therefore it is allowed to use twisting, screw clamps, PPE elements, welding and soldering for this purpose.

Source: https://aqua-rmnt.com/ehlektrosnabzhenie/kak-soedinit-mnogozhilnyie-provoda-mezhdu-soboy.html