What Tool Can I Use to Crimp Ferrule?

Screwing the ferrules onto the cables is one of the most common activities in electrical practices that offers assurance of the grip on the cables. Additional protection to a wire is provided by a ferrule, a metal sleeve that is crimped on the end of a wire and adds more conductivity to the connection. However, for a perfect crimp to be achieved, there is a need for the right tool. Thus, this article aims to shed light on the cable ferrule crimping tools, comparing the tool types and their features to identify the most suitable option.

Read more: How Do I Know Which Crimping Tool To Use?

Cable ferrule crimping tools are tools or machines used to crimp cable ferrules, which is the process of bending and shaping metal to have a tight grip on a wire. These tools can be designed in several forms and customized depending on the size and type of ferrules and cables.

These have a plastic covering over the outside of the metal tube to offer it some cover and insulation.

These are just bare iron pipes that do not have any form of covering on them, and they are applied where heat preservation is not very important.

Features

• Hand-Operated: These are hand-operated and best used for small to medium cable operations.
• Adjustable Settings: Manual crimpers also have options where users can set it according to the size of the ferrule that is to be crimped. An example is the HSC8 6-4 Square Crimper for AWG23-10 End-sleeves Ferrules.

Advantages

• Cost-Effective: Usually cheaper when compared to other types of crimpers.
• Portable: Portable and can be easily moved from one site to another, particularly in construction work.

Disadvantages

• Effort Required: It is worth noting that crimping larger cables can be very exhaustive and require much manual effort.
• Limited Capacity: Originally, it was not helpful for large cables or handling large volumes.

Features

• Hydraulic Mechanism: hydraulically crimps ferrules, which is better than conventional methods involving much force.
• High Force: Crimping of larger cables can quickly go by with this unique gadget. An ideal example is the iCrimp YQK-240 Hydraulic Wire Cable Lug Terminal Crimper. 

Advantages

• Less Effort: It does not take much time to perform, and it is ideal for use over and over.
• Versatility: The tool's capabilities can vary depending on the size of the cables and their types, which can be pretty broad.

Disadvantages

• Cost: It costs a little more than the manual ones used in crimping.
• Weight: Slightly costlier and bulkier than manual crimpers.

Features

• Air-Powered: Crimps ferrules using compressed air can significantly help increase efficiency and work rate.
• Automation Options: There are manual options, and some models can be partly or entirely automated in the crimping process. The Pneumatic Crimping Tool for End Sleeves Ferrule AWG24-10 is a good example.

Advantages

• Efficiency: It is recommended for applications with several crimps. The Pneumatic Crimper Plier Machine Tools for Terminals Ferrules illustrates the efficiency of this tool. 
• Consistency: Allows for consistent crimps and makes for better connection quality.

Disadvantages

• Expensive: The higher initial cost of the product, besides the high maintenance costs.
• Requires Air Supply: Requires a supply of compressed air for its function; hence, it is not portable.

Read more: What is a Pneumatic Crimper?

Choosing the right cable ferrule crimping tool is crucial to produce reliable connections.

• Cable Size: Know the sizes of the cables you will be dealing with and get a tool that is compatible with those sizes.
• Volume of Work: A manual crimper may occasionally be appropriate. For large volumes or production, sometimes it is better to use hydraulic or pneumatic tools.

• On-Site Work: If you want a machine, you can move it from one point to another; a portable manual crimper may help you.
• Workshop Setting: In a fixed workshop, a hydraulic or pneumatic crimper can be helpful and reduce the effort used.

• Manual crimpers are cheaper than automatic ones; however, using automatic ones may sometimes be necessary. Hydraulic and pneumatic tools are comparatively expensive initially but quite beneficial for persons who need tools frequently.

Thus, selecting the proper cable ferrule crimping tool is critical to obtaining safety connections in electrical practices. Understand your needs and characteristics of the manual hydraulic or pneumatic crimping tool, and you can decide on the type most appropriate for you. Therefore, iCrimp offers a range of superior-quality crimping tools for any electrical connection.

References

savacable.com

itcproducts.com

rs-online.com