What Is The Most Reliable Way To Connect Electrical Wires

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 22:24

Application in terminal block circuits
Spring terminals
Insulation with PPE caps
Installation of networks using sleeves
Soldering or welding wires
Contact twisting method
Clamping device for wires "nut"
Video on the correct connection of wires

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

This can be useful when installing, laying any power supply systems. Whether the wiring is burnt out, a replacement lighting fixture or a complete set of new equipment is needed. Such knowledge may not be needed, but it will be better to know all common ways of connecting electrical wires.

Application in terminal block circuits

Terminal blocks are electrical products made of non-electrically conductive material, inside of which a conductive bushing is inserted, which has a pair of screws at opposite ends. They serve to fix the wire. An excellent choice for the embodiment of the 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 luminaires. It is suitable for mounting most appliances, switches and sockets. 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, tighten the screws securely. The wire itself must not be pinched. Having disassembled how to properly connect electrical wires using terminals, it is worth studying other equally reliable methods.

Terminal method evaluation: Excellent fastening quality. The price for them is acceptable. Quite quick and easy installation. Good ability to connect different conductors such as aluminum and copper.

Sometimes the terminal blocks themselves are sold in an inadequate quality of performance, which threatens to break them during installation. Possibility of connecting no more than two cables of the same cross-section into one socket. Be sure to read how to correctly connect the wires by color.

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

Spring terminals

Quick installation of power grids is sometimes simply necessary. For example, to carry out temporary lighting on the balcony, terrace, gazebo. Spring terminals wago, an excellent product for this kind of work. A modern and of course reliable way of connecting wires. Although they are new to the market for electrical fittings, installation using spring terminals is quick and, importantly, convenient.

The main difference between the use of the terminal blocks of the car itself: it is more convenient to connect any wires in electrical boxes with them than twisting. Here, a unique clamping mechanism is used for high-quality installation, rather than a simple screw. Manufacturers produce both disposable and reusable wagon systems.

In its usual design, this product is used for one-time use; during subsequent repair work, it cannot be restored. It is removed, and a new one is put in its place.
Reusable wago terminals are a little more expensive, but they can be used to 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 gives the advantage that it is possible to carefully but accurately fix any wire without damaging or crushing.

With the help of the wago, it is easy to carry out the fastening yourself, you need to strip the insulation and insert the necessary cores into the mounting hole. Clamp with a lever. It is important to correctly calculate the load on the wires with an online calculator.

Assessment of the wago clamping system: Unique ability to combine any conductors, aluminum, copper and other conductors. There is an option for connecting multicore cables simultaneously (two or more).

Wago universal clamps allow without damaging any thin stranded conductor. Another plus, the compact size of the pads.

Excellent quality and durability. The Vago-type block has a technological hole giving access for 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 clamps (PPE). They are ordinary nylon or plastic caps with an internal retainer.

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

Evaluation of the use of such products: Rather low cost of PPE. The use of safe material eliminates the ignition of electrical wiring. Easy installation, put it on a twist of wires and you're done. These caps have a wide range of colors, which is convenient. Of course, if the wires are not color-coded, colored PPEs have the ability to determine or simply mark zero, phase and other necessary electrical network routes.

There are also disadvantages: Insufficient level of fixation. The 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 load and quality of wires.

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

Overall assessment. A great way to securely connect wires. The direction of the conductors can be from different sides of the tube or from one side. The liners are very inexpensive. A good way to securely connect wires together.

There are also disadvantages. One-time use of sleeves, they are not collapsible. To carry out such work, you will need a tool: pressing pliers, which are also used as a special tool. They remove insulation. They have a crimping device in their arsenal, and electrical work takes a little longer.

Soldering or welding wires

This method is reliable. Usually, this method of connection in a junction box implies first stripping and twisting the ends, after which they are dipped into heated solder. It is advisable to connect wires aluminum to aluminum by soldering. Then they are insulated with a thermal tube or electrical tape.

It is strongly not recommended to immediately cool the soldered wires in water, microcracks arising from this type of cooling affect the quality of the connection. They are not durable.

Soldering method evaluation. It gives strong circuit contacts and excellent quality, not expensive, it is the most reliable 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. From this it follows that soldering is done in extreme cases, using more modern connection methods. It has not been popular among masters for a long time, since it takes more time.

There is also an uncommon 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 "old-fashioned" method, it consists of a spiral twisting of veins together. The essence of all work is to twist the stripped conductors with pliers, and cover the twist with insulation. Here, perhaps, are all the ways to twist wires.

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

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

Clamping device for wires "nut"

Such a device is simply a cable clamp with two plates inside and several screws for tightening, usually at the corners. It is enough to screw the wires to the plate itself. Then put on a carbolite shell on top.

Assessment. A great option for connecting any electrical wires in a junction box, large to medium size. Definitely, these types of products are quite convenient and have a high degree of protection. It makes it possible to quickly connect the wire to a track with a thick cross-section without breaking it.

Disadvantages. Dimensions allow installation only in spacious junction boxes, panels. The screws loosen over time.

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

It is necessary to work only with an insulated tool, use protective equipment.
On the shutdown plate or meter, it is imperative to post a warning sign, "do not turn on".
Connect electrical appliances according to the attached instructions.

Having considered the main types of wire connection, you will easily find the right option. And having a simple tool and a diagram at hand, you can independently mount it. In more detail how to install the electrical panel correctly.