Tight connection of wires on the street. Connecting electrical wires is a reliable way. Specifications of the various options

Knowledge of modern technologies and methods of working with electrical fittings, is it really necessary? Yes, you need to know how to properly connect electrical wires.

This can be useful during installation, laying of any power supply systems. Whether the wiring burned out, a lighting fixture needs to be replaced or a complete set of new equipment. Such knowledge may not be needed, but it would be better to know all the common ways to connect electrical wires.

Application in terminal block circuits

Terminal blocks are electrical products made of a material that does not conduct electricity, inside which a conductive sleeve is inserted, which has a pair of screws at opposite ends. They serve to fix the wire. An excellent choice for the embodiment of a modern way of connecting wires.

When choosing a reliable wire connection, it is important to remember: terminal blocks are produced with different holes, for many sections.

This method is almost always used for connection in junction boxes of any type, during installation, installation of wall and other fixtures. It's suitable for. It is easy to mount the network using such fittings, you just need to insert the bare ends into the holes and, using moderate force, securely tighten the screws. The wire itself must not be transferred. Having figured out how to properly connect electrical wires using terminals, it is worth exploring other equally reliable methods.

Terminal method evaluation: Excellent mounting quality. Their price is acceptable. Pretty neat and easy to install. A good opportunity to connect different conductors, for example, aluminum and copper.

Blocks are not recommended to connect aluminum and stranded chains. This is due to the high fragility of aluminum wires and the great flexibility of the stranded wire conductors themselves. But overall a decent method.

Spring terminals

Fast installation of electrical networks is sometimes simply necessary. For example, to conduct temporary lighting on a balcony, terrace, gazebo. wago spring terminals are an excellent product for this kind of work. A modern and of course reliable way to connect wires. Although they are new on the market for electrical fittings, installation using spring terminals is quick and, importantly, convenient.

The main difference between the use of the vago terminal blocks themselves: it is more convenient to connect any wires in electrical boxes with them than with twisting. Here, for high-quality installation, a unique clamping mechanism is used, and not a simple screw. Manufacturers produce both disposable and reusable vago systems.

1. In the usual version, this product is used for one-time use; it cannot be restored during repair work in the future. It is removed and replaced with a new one.
2. Reusable wago terminals are a little more expensive, but with the help of them you can disconnect the assembled contacts several times, rewiring the circuit to suit your needs. This speeds up the process of repairing or mounting permanent and temporary networks. A simple lever-type mechanism has the advantage that it is possible to carefully but accurately fix any wire without damaging or transferring it.

With the help of vago, fastening yourself is simple, you need to strip the insulation and insert the necessary cores into the mounting hole. Clamp with a lever. It's important to do it right.

wago clamp system rating: A unique possibility of combining any, aluminum, copper and other conductors. There is an option for connecting multi-core cables at the same time (two or more).

wago universal clamps allow you to fix any thin stranded conductor without damaging it. Another plus is the compact size of the pads.

wago self-clamping terminals

Excellent quality and durability. The Vago block has a technological hole that gives access to a screwdriver with a voltage indicator. The operation of any power line can be checked at any time. Perhaps one drawback is the considerable cost of the terminals themselves. But this type of wire connection is the most modern and fastest.

Insulation with PPE caps

Deciphering the product is not difficult, connecting insulating clips (PPE). They are ordinary nylon or plastic caps with an internal lock.

The simplest type of wire connection, it is carried out after twisting the conductors themselves, lived. Caps are often used to connect wires in junction boxes, to mark connections with the desired color.

Evaluation of the use of such products: Relatively low cost of PPE. The use of safe material eliminates the ignition of electrical wiring. Easy installation, put on a twist of wires and you're done. Such caps have a large range of colors, which is convenient. Of course, if the wires are not marked with color, colored PPEs have the ability to determine, or simply mark, zero, phase and other necessary power lines.

There are also disadvantages: Insufficient level of fixation. Stranded type of wires can be mounted only after soldering.

Installation of networks using sleeves

This option claims to be the most reliable connection method. Any on loads and quality of wires.

Crimping wires with sleeves

Conductive wires are inserted into a special tube - a sleeve, and crimped with a certain force. There is one, but. The cross section of the wires must not exceed the cross section of the sleeves to be mounted. After inserting and crimping the clip, the sleeve is carefully insulated with a heat shrink tube, or with the help of other insulating materials.

Overall rating. A great way to securely connect wires. The direction of the conductors can be from different sides of the tube or from one side. Sleeves are quite inexpensive. A good way to securely connect the wires to each other.

There are also disadvantages. Single use sleeves, they are not collapsible. For the production of such work, you will need a tool: pressing tongs, which are also used as a special tool. They remove the insulation. They have a crimping device in their arsenal, and electrical work takes a little more time.

Soldering or welding wires

This method is reliable. Typically, this method of connection in a junction box first involves stripping and twisting the ends, after which they are dipped into heated solder. The connection of aluminum wires to aluminum is preferably carried out by soldering. Then they are isolated with a heat pipe or insulating tape.

Evaluation of the soldering method. It gives strong circuit contacts and excellent quality, not expensive, it is the most reliable with the way of connecting electrical wires in a soldered box.

Technological disadvantage. You can't do without a soldering iron. The speed of work is not high. The connection is naturally not detachable. It follows from this that soldering is done in extreme cases, using more modern methods of connection. Among the masters, he has not been popular for a long time, because it takes more time.

There is also a rare method of connecting electrical wires, by welding. The process is similar, but requires the use of a special welding machine, of course, and certain skills.

Contact twisting method

Not a new, one might say "grandfather" method, it consists of a spiral twisting of the cores among themselves. The essence of all work is to twist the stripped conductors with the help of pliers, and cover the place of twisting with insulation. Here, perhaps, are all the ways of twisting wires.

Evaluation of this connection method. High speed of all installation works. The cost is minimal.

Flaw. It is forbidden to connect together twists of different composition, copper and aluminum wires., oxidation is inevitable. According to the regulatory framework, twisting wires in a junction box is not recommended for use in rooms with combustible materials, high humidity, basements, as well as in any house built of wood. More details about the twisting method. I definitely recommend watching a video about what is better twisting or Vago terminal blocks.

Clamping device for wires "walnut"

Such a device is simply a cable clamp with two plates inside and several tightening screws, usually in the corners. It is enough to fasten the wire to the plate itself. After that, put on a shell of carbolite on top.

Grade. A great way to connect any electrical wires in a junction box, large and medium size. Definitely, these types of products are quite comfortable and have a high degree of protection. It makes it possible to quickly connect a wire to a track with a thick section without breaking it.

Flaws. Dimensions allow installation only in spacious junction boxes, shields. Over time, the screws loosen.

Tip: When choosing fittings and method, remember the following:

• It is necessary to work only with an insulated tool, use protective equipment.
• Be sure to post a warning sign on the shutdown panel or meter, “do not turn on”.
• Connect electrical appliances in accordance with the attached instructions.

Having considered the main types of wire connections, you can easily choose the right option. And having a simple tool and a diagram at hand, you can mount it yourself. In details

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

About junction box

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

In order not to have to look for where the wires are hidden in the walls during the repair, the electrical wiring is laid on the basis of special rules prescribed in the PUE (Electrical Installation Rules).

Distribution boxes are classified according to the type of attachment. So, there are boxes for outdoor installation and indoor installation. For the second option, it is necessary to prepare a hole in the wall into which the box will be inserted. As a result, the lid of the box is flush with the wall. Often the cover during repair is hidden with wallpaper, plastic. In extreme cases, an outer box is used, which is mounted directly on 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, the new wiring is laid. It is not recommended to lay the cable in a strobe on the wall. If the wiring burns out, you will have to gouge the wall, break the finish in order to carry out repairs.

What are junction 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 available, you can easily find the area where the wires are burned out. If the cable was laid in special channels (corrugated tube, for example), then in an hour you can replace the failed cable;
• connections can be inspected at any time. As a rule, wiring problems occur at the junctions. If the socket or switch does not work, but there is voltage in the network, check, first of all, 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. With the use of the box, they will be in one place.
• minimum time and financial costs when repairing wiring. No need to look for wires in the walls that are out of order.

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 performed correctly, all options will ensure the reliability of the wiring.

Method number 1. Twisting method

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

Read also:

Experts say that even for a temporary connection of wires, all work must be carried out according to the rules. It should be noted that regardless of the number of cores in the conductor, the twisting methods are approximately the same. However, there are some differences. If stranded wires are connected, then you should adhere to the following rules:

- it is necessary to clean the insulation of the conductor by 4 cm;

- we unwind each conductor by 2 centimeters (along the veins);

- a connection is made to the junction of non-untwisted cores;

- you need to twist the cores only with your fingers;

- in the end, the twist is tightened with the help of pliers, pliers;

- bare electrical wires are covered with insulating tape or heat shrink tubing.

It is much easier to use twist when connecting solid wires. After the conductors have been stripped of insulation, they must be twisted by hand along their entire length. After that, with the help of pliers (2 pieces), the conductors are clamped: with the first pliers - at the end of the insulation, and with the second - at the end of the connection. We increase the number of turns on the connection with the second pliers. The connected conductors are insulated.

Method number 2. Mounting caps - PPE

Very often, special caps are used for twisting conductors. As a result, it is possible to obtain a reliable connection, with good contact. The outer shell of the cap is plastic (the material is not combustible), and inside there is a metal part with a thread in the form of a cone. The insert increases the contact surface, improving the electrical parameters of the twist. Most often, thick conductors are connected using caps (no soldering is required).

It is necessary to remove the insulation from the wire by 2 centimeters, twist the wires slightly. When the cap is on, it must be turned with force. At this point, the connection can be considered ready.

Before making a connection, you need to count the number of wires. Based on the data obtained (by section), a certain type of caps is selected. The advantage of twisting with plastic caps is that you do not need to spend a lot of time, as with conventional twisting. In addition, the connection is compact.

Method number 3. Connection of conductors by soldering

If the household has a soldering iron, and you know how to work with it, then the wires can be connected using soldering. Before connecting the cores, they need to be tinned. Soldering flux or rosin is applied to the conductor. Next, the heated tip of the soldering iron is immersed in rosin, carried out several times along the wire. A reddish coating should appear.

After the rosin dries, the wires are twisted. With the help of a soldering iron, tin is taken, the twist is heated until the tin flows between the turns. The end result is a quality connection with excellent contact. However, electricians are not very fond of using this connection method. The problem is that it takes a lot of time to prepare. However, if you are doing the work for yourself, you should not spare either effort or time.

Method number 4. Core welding

Using an inverter welding machine, you can connect wires. Welding is used over the twist. On the inverter, you need to set the welding current parameters. There are certain standards for different connections:

- conductor with a cross section of 1.5 sq. mm - 30 A;

- conductor with a cross section of 2.5 sq. mm - 50A.

If the conductor is copper, then a graphite electrode is used for welding. Grounding from the welding machine is connected to the upper part of the resulting twist. An electrode is brought from the bottom of the twist, the arc is ignited. The electrode is applied to the twist for a couple of seconds. After a while, the connection will cool down, then it can be isolated.

Read also: Hidden electrical wiring in a wooden house

Method number 5. Terminal blocks

Another option for connecting conductors in a box is using terminal blocks. There are several types of pads: screw, with clamps, but the principle of the device is identical. The most common is a block with a copper plate for attaching wires. By inserting several wires into a special connector, they can be securely connected. Mounting with a clamp terminal connection is very simple.

In screw terminals, the pads are placed in a plastic case. There are open and closed pads. Closed pads are the invention of a new generation. To make the connection, wires are inserted into the socket and clamped with a screw (using a screwdriver).

However, terminal connections have a disadvantage. It lies in the fact that it is inconvenient to connect several conductors together. Contacts are arranged in pairs. And if you need to connect more than three wires, then several branches are squeezed into one socket, which is very difficult. At the same time, such connections make it possible to operate branches with a high current consumption.

Another type of pads is Wago terminals. Today, two types of terminals are in demand:

- terminals with a flat-spring mechanism. Sometimes they are called disposable, since it is impossible to reuse the terminals - the quality of the connection deteriorates. Inside the terminal there is a plate with spring petals. As soon as the conductor is inserted (it must be single-core only), the tab is pressed out and the wire is clamped. The conductor cuts into the metal. If the conductor is pulled out by force, then the petal will not take its previous shape.

Some terminal connections contain wiring paste internally. Such a connection is used if you need to connect a copper and aluminum wire. The paste protects metals from oxidation by protecting conductors;

- universal terminals with a lever mechanism - this is the best type of connector. The wire, stripped of insulation, is inserted into the terminal, a small lever is clamped. At this point, the connection is considered completed. And if you need to re-connect, add contacts, lift the lever, pull out the wire. The pads can be operated at low current (up to 24 A - with a cross section of 1.5 sq. mm) and at high current (32 A - with a conductor cross section of 2.5 sq. mm). If wires are connected through which a current higher than the specified one will flow, then another type of connection must be used.

Method number 6. Crimping

It is possible to connect the wires in the box by crimping only with the help of special pliers, as well as a metal sleeve. A sleeve is put on the twist, after which it is clamped with tongs. Just this method is suitable for connecting conductors with a large load.

Method number 7. Bolted connection

Connecting multiple wires with bolts is a simple and effective connection method. To complete the work, you need to take a bolt and a few washers with a nut.

It is not enough to know how to connect the wires in the junction box. You need to know which conductors are connected to each other. So, a washer is put on the bolt thread. The core is wound, the second washer is put on, and then the next core. At the end, we put on the third washer and press the connection with a nut. The node is closed with insulation.

There are several advantages of bolting conductors:

- ease of work;

- low cost;

- the ability to connect conductors made of different metals (for example, aluminum and copper).

However, there are also disadvantages:

- fixation of wires - not of high quality;

- to hide the bolt you need to use a lot of insulation;

In order for the power supply in your homes to always be of high quality, uninterrupted and reliable, it is very important to correctly connect the wires during installation work. There are a lot of ways, we will consider each one in detail with its advantages and disadvantages, with step-by-step instructions for performing switching. We will also pay attention to the eternal question of electricians - how to connect wires whose cores are made of different metals (for example, copper and aluminum).

Removing the insulating layer from the wires

Immediately I would like to dwell on a question that will be common to any method. Before connecting the wires into a common electrical unit, they must be stripped from the upper insulating layer.

This can be done with a utility knife. This method is simple, but there is a high probability of damage to the conductive core. To do everything right, you must clearly follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Place the wire on some flat surface (like a table).
2. Press it with the index finger of your left hand.
3. Take the knife with your right hand and lightly press it into the insulating sheath of the wire. In order not to hook the metal core, position it towards the cut at an angle. If the angle is right, there is a possibility of a circular notch in the core, as a result of which it may subsequently break.
4. Holding the knife in this position. With the index finger of your left hand, slowly rotate the conductor one full turn, thus notching the insulation around the entire circle.
5. It remains only to pull off the cut piece of insulation.

Professional electricians now already have in their arsenal such a device as a stripper. This is a multifunctional tool, with it you can strip the insulation from the wire or cut the cable. It can be simple, semi-automatic and automatic. Most importantly, when stripping the insulation with a stripper, the conductive core is not damaged. For each standard core diameter, such a tool has a calibrated hole with a cutting edge.

The length to which it is necessary to strip the wire cores is different for each connection method.

Twisting

Let's start with the simplest and most well-known method - twisting. It can also be called the oldest, not for nothing that electricians among themselves call twisting the “grandfather method”.

We will not tell you that such a wire connection is durable and reliable. According to the main document in electrical engineering, PUE (“Rules for Electrical Installations”), twisting is generally prohibited, despite the fact that half a century ago it was used everywhere. The fact is that in those days, the load in the apartments consisted only of lighting, radio or TV. Considering the current load in modern apartments with a huge amount of household appliances used daily, then no old insulation, core cross-sections and wire connection methods are no longer suitable.

Nevertheless, we will talk about twisting, and even in the first place, because it is the main stage in such connection options as welding and soldering.

Positive sides

The most important advantage of twisting is that it requires absolutely no material costs. All you need is a knife to remove the insulating layer from the wire strands and pliers to make the connection.

The second indisputable advantage of twisting is ease of execution. No special knowledge or skills are needed, anyone who has ever held pliers in their hands can do it.

In a twist, several wires can be connected at the same time, but their total number should not exceed six.

Negative sides

The main disadvantage of twisting is its unreliability, it weakens over time. This is due to the fact that there is a residual elastic deformation in the cores of the cable or wire. In the place of twisting, the transition resistance increases, which is fraught with a breakdown in contact and heating. In the best case, you will find it in time and re-seal the junction, in the worst case, a fire may occur.

Using twisting, it is impossible to connect electrical wires made of different metals. As an exception, you can twist copper and aluminum wire, but only if the copper core is pre-tinned with solder.

In electrical engineering, there are concepts of a detachable or one-piece connection. So twisting does not apply to either one or the other. A detachable connection is characterized by the fact that its ends can be separated many times. In twisting, this cannot be fully done, each time after the next promotion and twisting of the cores, they will deteriorate. It is also impossible to call twisting an integral connection, because it does not have the concepts of strength, reliability and stability necessary for this. This is another disadvantage of the twisted connection.

Installation

If for some reason you do not have the opportunity to use other methods of connecting electrical wires, you can use twisting, just do it with high quality. Very often it is used as a temporary option and is subsequently replaced by more reliable switching methods.

How to connect wires with a twist? To begin with, the veins are cleaned by 70-80 mm. The main thing is to twist all switched conductors into one single twist at the same time, and not wind one around the other.

Many mistakenly begin to twist the cores together from the place where the insulating layer ends. But it is better to clamp both wires in this place with one pair of pliers, and with the second, grab the ends of the wires and perform rotational movements in a clockwise direction.

If the wire section is small, you can twist it by hand. Align the conductors with the insulation shear and hold them firmly in this place with your left hand. Bend all switched tips into one single bend at an angle of 90 degrees (a bend length of 10-15 mm will be enough). Hold this fold with your right hand and rotate it clockwise. This must be done firmly and firmly. If it is already difficult to twist with your hands at the end, use the pliers, as described above. As soon as the twist becomes even and beautiful, you can cut the bend.

You can also connect several wires in this way, but then, to make it easier to twist them, make the bend longer, somewhere around 20-30 mm.

How to properly twist the wires is shown in this video:

There is also a way to twist wires with a screwdriver, see about it here:

For twisting wires with a special tool, see here:

Now the resulting twist must be carefully insulated. For this, electrical tape is used. Do not spare it, wind it in several layers, and isolate not only the connection itself, but also step 2-3 cm over the insulation of the cores. Thus, you will ensure the insulating reliability of the twist and protect the contact connection from moisture.

You can also insulate the connection of wires with the help of thermotubes. The main thing is not to forget to put the tube on one of the wires to be connected in advance, and then put it on the place of the twist. Under heat, the thermal pipe shrinks, so slightly heat its edges, and it will firmly wrap around the wire, thereby providing reliable insulation.

If the twisting is done with high quality, it is likely that it will serve you for many years, provided that the load current in the network is normal. But still, it is better not to stop at this stage and strengthen the junction by welding or soldering.

Soldering

Soldering is when electrical wires are connected using molten solder. This type of connection is most suitable for copper wires. Although there are now various fluxes for aluminum, experienced electricians prefer to refrain from such soldering. But if necessary, you can use special fluxes and even solder copper with aluminum.

Positive sides

This type of connection with twisting can no longer be compared, soldering is much more reliable (in terms of reliability, it is second only to welding).

With the help of soldering, it is possible to connect stranded and solid wires, as well as conductors of various sections.

This type of connection does not require any maintenance during the entire period of operation.

Soldering is considered low in cost, only a soldering iron is needed from the fixtures, and flux and solder are quite inexpensive, and their consumption is quite meager.

Negative sides

The disadvantages of this method include high labor intensity. Soldering requires certain preparatory work, the cores of the wires must first be tinned before twisting. The surfaces to be soldered must be free from oxides and absolutely clean before starting work.

And of course, you need experience in owning a soldering iron, that is, the one who will connect the wires by soldering must have a certain qualification. Indeed, in the process of soldering, it is very important to maintain the required temperature conditions. An underheated soldering iron will not warm up the connection well; overheating is also unacceptable, because the flux will burn out very quickly, not having time to do its job.

Soldering is not a fast process, but this minus is compensated by the reliability that is obtained from the contact connection.

Installation

The soldering process is as follows:

1. Remove the insulation from the cores by 40-50 mm.
2. Clean the exposed areas of the veins to a shine with sandpaper.
3. Dip a heated soldering iron into the rosin and run it over the cleaned surfaces several times.
4. Perform a twist.
5. Bring the tip of the soldering iron to the solder.
6. Now immediately heat the twist with solder, the tin should melt and fill the gaps between the turns.
7. Thus, the entire twist is enveloped in tin, after which it is allowed to cool.
8. Wipe hardened solder with alcohol and insulate.

Soldering wires with a soldering iron is shown in this video:

Soldering wires with a gas soldering iron:

Soldering twists by immersion in molten solder:

Welding

In order for the connection of electrical wires to be as reliable as possible, the considered method of twisting must be further fixed by welding. It is similar to soldering, only now a welding machine is used instead of a soldering iron.

Positive sides

This method is most preferable over all the others, as it meets all regulatory requirements in terms of reliability and quality.

The welding method is based on the contact heating of the ends of the wires with a carbon electrode until a ball (contact point) is formed. This ball is obtained as a single whole from the fused ends of all connected wires, which ensures safe and reliable contact, it will not weaken and oxidize over time.

Negative sides

The disadvantage of welding is that certain knowledge, experience, skills and special devices are needed to carry out such work, and you often have to turn to specialists.

Installation

In order to connect wires by welding, you will need the following fixtures, tools and materials:

• welding inverter with a power of at least 1 kW, its output voltage must be up to 24 V;
• carbon or graphite electrode;
• glasses or a mask to protect the eyes;
• welding leather gloves for hand protection;
• fitter's knife or stripper for removing the insulating layer from the conductors;
• sandpaper (for cleaning the connected conductive surfaces);
• insulating tape for further insulation of the welding joint.

The sequence of work is as follows:

1. Free each connected wire from insulation by 60-70 mm.
2. Clean bare veins to a shine with sandpaper.
3. Twist, after biting off, the length of its tips should be at least 50 mm.
4. Fasten the ground clamps on top of the twist.
5. To ignite the arc, bring the electrode to the bottom of the twist and lightly touch the connected wires with it. Welding is very fast.
6. It turns out a contact ball, which is given time to cool, then insulate with tape.

As a result, an almost solid wire is obtained at the end, that is, the contact will have the lowest transition resistance.

If you connect copper wires in this way, then choose a carbon-copper electrode.

I would like to recommend that if you purchase a welding machine (after all, it will come in handy not only for connecting wires, but also for many other purposes), then choose the inverter option. With small dimensions, weight and power consumption, it has a wide range of welding current adjustment and produces a stable welding arc. And this is very important to be able to regulate the welding current. If it is chosen correctly, the electrode will not stick, and the arc will hold steadily.

How welding is performed, see this video:

We examined the main types of wire connections. Now let's briefly talk about methods that are used less often, but also guarantee quality and reliability.

Crimping

For this method, special tubular sleeves or lugs are used, with which the wires to be connected are crimped and crimped. The essence of the method lies in the joint deformation of the sleeve and the cores inserted into it. During deformation, the sleeve is compressed and squeezes the conductive surfaces. The conductors are interlocked, which ensures the reliability of electrical contact.

The advantage of such a connection is reliability, as well as the fact that it can be classified as “done and forgot”, it does not need maintenance.

But along with the positive aspects, the pressure test also has a number of disadvantages. First, a special tool is required (crimper or mechanical or hydraulic pliers). Secondly, the quality of the connection directly depends on the correctly selected sleeve (it is selected depending on the number of connected cores and their cross section).

Before connecting two wires using crimping, they are not only stripped of insulation, but also lubricated with a special paste. Aluminum is treated with quartz-vaseline paste, it removes the oxide film and prevents it from reappearing. For copper conductors, quartz impurities are not needed, technical petroleum jelly is enough. It is needed to reduce friction. Also, lubrication minimizes the risk of damage to the cores during deformation.

Next, the cores must be inserted into the sleeve until they are mutually stop, and alternate crimping is performed on both sides. The pressed joint is insulated with an insulating tape, varnished cloth or a thermotube.

How to connect wires with sleeves is shown in these videos:

Bolted connection

Bolts for connecting wires used to be often used, now this method is more common in high voltage circuits. The contact is reliable, but the electrical assembly connected in this way turns out to be too cumbersome. Until recently, large junction boxes were installed in apartments, in them at least somehow, but it was possible to arrange such a connection. Modern boxes are smaller and are not designed for switching wires in this way.

But you definitely need to know about it, because this is one of the ways to solve the eternal problem of connecting conductors made of different metals. The bolt contact is ideal for switching absolutely incompatible conductors - thin and thick, aluminum and copper, solid and stranded.

The cores of the wires must be stripped and the ends twisted in the form of rings. A steel washer is put on the bolt, then the rings of the wires to be connected are thrown on (this is the case when they are made of homogeneous metal), then another steel washer follows and everything is tightened with a nut. If aluminum and copper wires are connected, one more additional washer must be placed between them.

The advantage of this connection is its simplicity. If necessary, the bolted structure can always be untwisted. If necessary, you can add more strands of wires (as far as the length of the bolt allows).

The most important thing in this type of connection is to prevent direct contact between copper and aluminum, do not forget to lay an additional washer between them. And then such a switching unit will last a long time and reliably.

Modern technologies

In many cases, the methods discussed are gradually becoming a thing of the past. They were replaced by factory wire connectors, which greatly facilitated and accelerated installation and switching work:

1. Terminal blocks with tubular brass sleeves inside. Stripped wire strands are inserted into these tubes and fixed by tightening the screws.
2. PPE caps with compression springs inside. The cores are inserted into the cap and then it is turned clockwise with a little effort, thereby the connected wires are reliably squeezed inside.
3. Self-clamping terminals. It is enough to place the wiring in them, and there it is automatically fixed due to the pressure plate.
4. Lever-type terminal blocks. Such a connecting element is reusable. It is enough just to raise the lever, insert the conductor into the contact hole and lower the lever back, reliable fixation is provided.

We do not talk in detail about all the existing terminal blocks, since there is a separate article about this, which discusses in detail each type of wire clamp.

We hope that we have clearly explained to you how to connect the wires correctly. Choose the method that suits you best. When choosing, take into account the cross-section and material of the conductors, the location of the connection (outdoors or indoors), the amount of load current that will flow in this electrical circuit.

First of all, you must understand that different types of connections can be used in different conditions. And their choice depends on the specific task.

For example, it is much more convenient to connect wires of small cross sections up to 2.5 mm2 in a compact junction box with terminal blocks or clamps. But if we are talking about a strobe or a cable channel, then sleeves come out on top here.

Consider the three most simple and at the same time reliable types of connections.

Let's start with a PPE type connection. It is decoded as:

• WITH connecting

• AND insulating

• W excitement

It looks like a simple cap. There are different colors.

Moreover, each color means belonging to specific sections of the veins.

Cores are inserted into this cap and twisted together.

How to do it right, first twist the cores and then put on a cap or twist them directly with the PPE itself, is discussed in detail in the article “.”

As a result, thanks to PPE, you get the good old twist, only immediately protected and insulated.

On top of that, with a spring-loaded contact that does not allow it to loosen.

In addition, this process can be slightly automated by using a PPE attachment for a screwdriver. This is also covered in the article above.

The next view is the Wago terminal blocks. They also come in different sizes, and for a different number of connected wires - two, three, five, eight.

They can join together both monocores and stranded wires.

Moreover, this can be implemented both in different types of Vago, and in a single one.

For multi-wire, the clamp should have a latch-flag, which, when open, allows you to easily insert the wire and clamp it inside after snapping.

These terminal blocks in home wiring, according to the manufacturer, can easily withstand loads up to 24A (light, sockets).

There are separate compact specimens on 32A-41A.

Here are the most popular types of Wago clamps, their marking, characteristics and for what section they are designed:

Series 2273 Series 221-222 Series 243 Series 773 Series 224

There is also an industrial series for cable sections up to 95mm2. Their terminals are really large, but the principle of operation is almost the same as that of the small ones.

When you measure the load on such clamps, with a current value of more than 200A, and at the same time you see that nothing is burning or heating, many doubts about Wago products disappear.

If your Vago clamps are original, and not a Chinese fake, and at the same time the line is protected by a circuit breaker with a correctly selected setting, then this type of connection can rightfully be called the simplest, most modern and easy to install.

Violate any of the above conditions and the result will be quite natural.

Therefore, you do not need to set wago to 24A and at the same time protect such wiring with an automatic 25A. The contact in this case will burn out during overload.

Always choose the right vago terminal blocks.

Automatic machines, as a rule, you already have, and they protect primarily the electrical wiring, and not the load and the end user.

There is also a fairly old type of connection, such as terminal blocks. ZVI - insulated screw clamp.

In appearance, this is a very simple screw connection of wires to each other. Again, it happens under different sections and various shapes.

Here are their technical characteristics (current, cross section, dimensions, screw torque):

However, ZVI has a number of significant drawbacks, due to which it cannot be called the most successful and reliable connection.

Basically, only two wires can be connected to each other in this way. Unless, of course, you don’t specifically choose large pads and shove several wires there. What to do is not recommended.

Such a screw connection is well suited for solid conductors, but not for stranded flexible wires.

For flexible wires, you will have to press them with NShVI lugs and incur additional costs.

You can find videos on the network where, as an experiment, the transient resistances on different types of connections are measured with a microohmmeter.

Surprisingly, the smallest value is obtained for screw terminals.

But we should not forget that this experiment refers to "fresh contacts". And try to make the same measurements after a year or two of intensive use. The results will be completely different.

Combination of copper and aluminum

Often there is a situation when it is necessary to connect a copper conductor with aluminum. Since the chemical properties of copper and aluminum are different, direct contact between them, with the access of oxygen, leads to oxidation. Often even copper contacts on circuit breakers are subject to this phenomenon.

An oxide film is formed, resistance increases, and heating occurs. Here it is recommended to use 3 options to avoid this:

They remove direct contact between aluminum and copper. Communication occurs through steel.

The contacts are separated from each other in separate cells, plus the paste prevents air from entering and prevents the oxidation process from developing.

The third simple way to connect conductors is crimping with sleeves.

GML sleeves are most often used for joining copper wires. Deciphered as:

• G ilza

• M single

• L narrowed

To connect pure aluminum - GA (aluminum sleeve):

For the transition from copper to aluminum, special GAM transitions:

What is the pressing method? Everything is quite simple. Take two conductors, strip to the required distance.

After that, on each side of the sleeve, the conductors are inserted inside, and the whole thing is crimped with press tongs.

With obvious simplicity, there are several rules and nuances in this procedure, if not followed, you can easily ruin a seemingly reliable contact. Read about these mistakes and rules on how to avoid them in the articles ” ” and ” ”.

To work with conductors of large sections 35mm2-240mm2, a hydraulic press is used.

Up to sections of 35mm2, you can also use a mechanical one with a large span of handles.

The sleeve must be crimped two to four times, depending on the cross section of the wire and the length of the tube.

The most important thing in this work is to choose the right size of the sleeve.

For example, when connecting monofilament, the sleeve is usually taken to the size of a smaller section.

And in this way, you can connect several conductors at the same time at the same point. In this case, only one sleeve will be used.

The main thing is to completely fill its internal space. If you crimp three conductors at the same time, and you still have voids inside, then you need to “fill in” this free space with additional pieces of the same wire, or conductors of a smaller cross section.

Sleeve crimping is one of the most versatile and reliable connections, especially when it is necessary to extend the cable, including the lead one.

In this case, the insulation turns out to be almost equivalent to the main one, while also using the outer tube HERE as a casing.

Of course, you will not use either PPE or Wago for these purposes, but the GML sleeves are the very thing! At the same time, everything comes out compactly and easily decreases even in a strobe, even in a cable channel.

Welding and soldering

In addition to all the above connection methods, there are two more types that experienced electricians rightfully consider the most reliable.

And not always, even with its help, it is possible to connect an aluminum solid wire with a flexible copper stranded wire. In addition, you are forever tied to an outlet or extension cord.

And if there is no voltage or generator nearby at all?

At the same time, elementary press tongs, on the contrary, are present in 90% of electrical installers. It is not necessary to purchase the most expensive and fancy ones for this.

For example, batteries. Convenient of course, go and just press the button.

The Chinese counterparts also cope well with their task of crimping. Moreover, the whole process takes no more than 1 minute.

The most important elements of any electrical network are the connection points of the wires. The reliability and durability of the electrical network depends on the quality and correctness of these works. Unfortunately, such low-quality work cannot be diagnosed, the shortcomings appear when the system is loaded. At the same time, a poor-quality connection begins to warm up and this often leads to a fire, which is far from always possible to localize.

This review describes the main types of wire connection with a photo, their classification and application.

Regulatory documents

There are many ways to connect wires. Their use or prohibition is regulated by the current rules for the installation of electrical installations (PUE), which are approved by the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. They must not conflict with the current document.

The regulatory framework is adjusted over time, as there is a steady increase in electricity consumption and some types of connections do not provide the reliability required in modern conditions. For example, in accordance with the current rules, twisting without additional fixation, which was widely used earlier, cannot be used, since there are better and no less affordable modern technologies.

In order to determine how best to connect the wires, it is necessary to study all available technologies, determine their advantages and disadvantages. First of all, they are classified according to the need for additional skills to carry out the work. They do not require fastening using terminals, various spring clips, bolts and PPE caps.

Each solution has its own advantages and disadvantages. First of all, they differ in ease and reliability of installation. In general terms, we can say that quickly made contacts using various terminals and clamps can weaken over time and lead to accidents. High-quality contacts made using sleeves, soldering or welding require more time and are not disassembled.

Thus, reliability is directly proportional to the complexity. Before connecting the wires with your own hands, you should read the instructions. It should be noted that in all works, preliminary cleaning of materials from the oxide film is required.

Specifications of the various options

Let's take a closer look at wiring methods that require additional tools. They allow you to get reliable connections designed for high currents.

Soldering

This type of connection of electrical wires is widespread. Most often it is used for copper conductors. To do this, you need a soldering iron, tin and rosin. The tip is wetted with a small amount of molten solder, which is then transferred to the twist when it is heated. Residues of rosin evaporate when heated. Before soldering several cores, it makes sense to tin each of them separately.

Such solutions are very convenient to use for conductors of small diameter, both single-core and with a large number of cores. Work should be done as quickly as possible so as not to melt the plastic insulation. Aluminum can also be joined in this way, but this requires a special flux and solder.

Welding

Welding withstands high currents and has mechanical strength. So you can connect both copper and aluminum. It is very suitable for large diameter veins. They are twisted into one bundle, and using a welding machine, a large current is passed through it, which melts the metal at the end of the twist.

In order to get a neat contact, you must first practice and select the parameters of the welding equipment. This can be done using unnecessary trimmings. It is necessary to melt the metal without damaging the insulation.

Crimping

Crimping is performed using sleeves and a special tool. They are made of copper and aluminum. This operation is quite simple, but requires the selection of sleeves of the right size and a special tool to compress them.

The work is quite simple: the cores are folded into a bundle, inserted into the sleeve and crimped in several places. It can withstand large current. The biggest difficulty lies in the selection of sleeves of the desired diameter: they should not be too large or small.

Twisting

As described above, this method cannot be used without additional fixation. Since it does not allow you to create a reliable contact. Twisting is used in combination with soldering, welding, crimping or the use of PPE. Before fixing, the wires are twisted.

The three methods described provide for their subsequent electrical isolation. To do this, use insulating tape for electrical work or heat shrink tubing. They are made of a polymeric material, which allows, when heated, to reduce their diameter by several times.

Products of various nomenclature are produced. First of all, it is necessary to highlight the need to use light-resistant materials outdoors. For shrinkage, it is best to use an industrial hair dryer or gently heat the polymer tube with a soldering iron.

For reliability, after installing the first tube, mount a second tube of a larger diameter. After shrinkage, the material must securely close the ends of the contact.

The following solutions require no additional tooling and make it easy to make the right wire connection at an entry-level skill level.

Terminal blocks

Previously, they were widely used due to their low cost and reliability. On it you can connect wires of different sections. They can be copper or aluminum, can consist of one or many strands. They are clamped with screws on the terminal block.

The disadvantage is that they are connected only in pairs. For a larger number of connections, special jumpers are required. There are other options for easier connection.

Connecting insulating clips

One of them is the use of PPE caps. This is a plastic cap inside which a metal spring is installed. It is wound onto a bundle, twisting them, plastic serves as electrical insulation. Such contact is very reliable. There is a domestic development of the KZT company, which is put on directly on the twist.

Wago clamps

This type of connection conquered the market with its convenience and ease of use. They connect all kinds of conductors. Clips are issued on various number of connections.

The disadvantage is that there is a spring in the design, which can weaken over time, which can lead to an accident and fire. Therefore, you should purchase only original, branded products.

Bolted fasteners

This type of fastening is classic, it allows you to connect copper with aluminum. Consists of a bolt with a nut and three washers. It can be made independently in the absence of other connectors.

Conclusion

The choice of how best to connect the wires depends on their type, budget and time. If you follow the rules of the PUE, then you can make safe and reliable contacts that will last for many years. It should be remembered that in any case, these works must be carried out as carefully and prudently as possible, without haste.

Photo of the wire connection process