How to Crimp Cables and Wires!

Here's a nifty way to make wires easily connect

The right crimps can also make your electrical connections less prone to short.

Step 1: Braid the Wire

Strip the insulation off the wires if you haven't already.

Take the exposed end, and twist it between your fingers until the wires are all wound in a helix.

This just makes them stay together until you can attach the crimp.

Step 2: Insert Into Crimp

Put the wire into the crimp until it gets to a metal tab.

Step 3: Crimp!

Grab the crimp in your crimping tool. Put the seam side up under the nub on the crimper, so that they get pushed inwards and apart when you clamp the crimper. Clamp down over the plastic

Grip moderately hard, and maybe do this a few times.

You want the wire to be unable to come pull of the crimp, if you lightly tug.

Comments

[RichardBronosky]

This isn't specified, but it is recommendable that you fold the wire back down (sharp 180 degrees) against the insulation before inserting into the connector. Make sure the copper (or other metal) wire is on the bottom when holding as seen in step 2. This way the seam, when crimped, will "bite" the insulation and not break the copper, which is a real problem with stranded wire. The result is a connector that can withstand a lot more wiggling back and forth before it begins to short or break way, as compared to crimping directly onto the copper.

[vcampos2000]

Do you crimp(squeeze) the plastic part?

[stasterisk]

yes

[kharmsengine]

There are a lot better connectors than the crimp-on type. Push-in and button type connectors are easier to use for the novice and give more consistent results. The smallest ones handle 20A at 125V.

[Scott_Tx]

Apparently you didn't read the little notice under the comment edit box: We have a "be nice" comment policy. Please be positive and constructive with your comments or risk being banned from our site. It was a good instructable. Basic but it covered it well with good pics.