How to connect the power cable to each other. How to connect electrical wires? Screw terminals

To joints without soldering or fastening together. Unfortunately, this dream will never come true. No one would agree to have so many cables used in their apartment. And this pleasure will cost a tidy sum, because a lot of wiring will be required. This is the main reason that the network has many contacts. Each average apartment can have up to hundreds of such associations. It should be noted that wiring problems most often occur in the places where the ends of the wires touch. In order to connect contacts correctly and safely, it is necessary to carefully study all the methods and options that are practiced by electricians.

Any living space today has wiring

How to connect wiring in a house

So, if the question arises of how to connect wires at home, it is best to turn to the bible of every self-respecting electrician - the Electrical Installation Rules (ELR). Paragraph 2.1.21 of this reference book states that it is best to use the following methods:

• soldering;
• welding;
• crimping;
• bolted connection.

But other methods are also practiced that are not listed here. Twisting remains illegal, but connections with screws, insulating clamps such as PPE, and WAGO terminals are, one way or another, permitted. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Twist

Be that as it may, the method that uses twisting is now the most popular among electricians and those users who are trying to create a connection of wires in their apartment. The danger of this technique is the high risk of fire. It can happen due to overheating of the cable, which is under the influence of high resistance caused by the weakening of the twist itself.

But it also needs to be said that with proper operations, the twisting will last for decades. If it is not possible for you to use other methods, then twisting is exactly what you will need. The only condition is to be careful and do everything right.

You should not use twisting in cases where you can create a wire connection using another method. If technical support electrical circuits is your job responsibilities or you are simply doing it for money, then the use of twisting may entail liability under the Criminal Code. You also have the right not to pay for the work of the craftsmen who used it.

You cannot use methods of connecting wires where they are used different types metal Also pay attention to the number of cores at each end - you cannot twist a single-core cable with a multi-core one. To connect the ends correctly and efficiently using this method, first remove the insulation from the end by 6–8 cm. Then fold the wires perpendicular to each other and twist. It is best to do this with pliers, this way you will achieve maximum twist density. But if you are dealing with small cross-section wires, then this can be done by hand. The length of the twist should ultimately be greater than 10 diameters of the wires you connected.

The final stage of twisting will be insulation. You will need caps, PVC or heat shrink tubing, or simple electrical tape. Be sure to ensure that your insulation overlaps the original insulation. This way you will protect the system from moisture.

Soldering

The soldering method requires a significant amount of theoretical and practical skills in working with equipment and wires. Experienced electricians know that a good twist is better than a bad solder. First you need to rid the wires of oxidation, tin them, and then twist them. Moreover, you don’t need to twist as much as in the previous case. Flux and solder also need to be carefully selected, since different metals require different materials. In terms of time, connecting wires in this way is the longest, but the result is better than using other methods. After the wires have cooled, they must be insulated using any available method.

Welding

This method is the most common and popular today. As for practical skills, this method can be considered the fastest and most reliable. You can use both variable and D.C. voltage from 15 to 30 V. If you are dealing with two wires with a diameter of up to 1.5 sq. mm, use a current of 70 A. If you need to connect three wires, then use 90 A. Three wires with a diameter of up to 2.5 square meters. mm require a current of 100 A, and four - 120 A.

First you need to strip the wires of insulation at a distance of 6 cm from the edge. Then twist them as if twisting, but leave 6mm at the ends. Straighten them and place them parallel.

Remember that when working with you must adhere to all rules and regulations fire safety, as well as use all types of protective equipment (gloves, clothing, goggles or mask).

Place the ends of the wires into the clamp and begin welding. You need to achieve a melt ball. It should extend to the twist itself. Welding should be carried out no longer than 3 seconds, otherwise you risk breaking the insulation. After you have connected the wires and they have cooled completely, insulate them.

PPE is made in the form of a cap. Located inside the connecting steel wire, curved in the shape of a cone. Modern manufacturers also fill the cavity of the cap with a special mixture, which protects the connection from moisture getting inside. The first condition for high-quality use of PPE is the correctly selected clamp size. You can read the parameters on the product packaging in more detail.

To make a connection of wires in this way, you need to strip them of their original insulation at a distance that is equal to the length of the cap. Next, insert the ends of the wires into the clamp and fix them there according to the mechanism. Most installers and electricians use the twisting technique for reliability, and place such clamps on top.

The advantage of this method over others is that this way you can simultaneously connect the wires and isolate the twisted points. But there is also a minus - it is unreliable, since the clamp constantly unwinds.

Screw clamps are very popular when conducting minor works in the apartment. The advantage of this method is the speed and accuracy of the connection. You don't have to insulate the wires. Also, using the clamping technique, you can connect wires of different metals.

The disadvantages of the technology include, first of all, the fact that you cannot connect wires that are made of different metals. They must first be soldered or combined with a tip. Also, such clamps are not entirely reliable - they need to be tightened periodically. So they are best used in places where there is easy, constant access.

The terminal block is a relatively new method of connecting wires. It is based on the use of special clamps developed by the German company WAGO. You can now find many analogues on the market, but they are inferior in quality and reliability. If you decide, then it is best to buy terminals in specialized certified supermarkets. You are offered a variety of options to suit your needs. different sizes, number of cores and so on.

The advantage of this method is ease of use, no need to use additional equipment or possess certain skills. You can quickly and efficiently connect wires and insulate them using one clamp. WAGO products have passed all the necessary tests and are the world leader in the production of wire clamps.

The crimping method involves using a sleeve or lug to connect the wires. This technology stands out among others for its reliability. All that is required of you is to choose the right sleeves and be able to use them special equipment- these are pliers (hydraulic or electric) or a press.

Bolted connections

This method is best used when working with networks with high current. The idea is simple - wires are laid between two washers on a bolt and then tightly fixed with a nut suitable size. Moreover, you can connect aluminum and copper wire if you use steel nuts. However, this method is not particularly popular because it does not look aesthetically pleasing.

Finally, we need to remind you that all wire connections, no matter how you do it, must be accessible for correction and inspection. If you've ever connected two or more wires yourself, please share your comments below.

Today, there are many ways to connect wires in a junction box.

Here are the factors that determine the choice of connector:

1. Core material (copper or aluminum).
2. Working conditions (outdoors, in an apartment, in water, in the ground, in the floor, normal conditions).
3. Number of conductors (two, three, four, etc.).
4. Core cross-section (same, different).
5. Core structure (single-wire or multi-wire).

Based on these factors, the most suitable and correct method is selected. First, let's look at the materials that can be used to connect electric wires in the junction box.

Existing methods

The following connection options are considered the most popular and effective:

• usage terminal blocks;
• installation of spring terminals (wago);
• fixation with PPE (plastic caps);
• crimping with sleeves;
• soldering;
• twist;
• installation of “nuts”;
• use of bolts.

Let's consider the essence, advantages and disadvantages of each method!

Installation of PPE caps

PPE stands for connecting insulating clips. The products are ordinary plastic caps that have a special spring inside that holds the wires.

Most often, such caps are used to connect cores in distribution boxes.

Advantages of using these products:

• low cost of PPE;
• caps are made of non-flammable material, so twisting will not occur at the location;
• quick installation;
• caps have a wide range color shades. For example, if the wires do not have a wire, you can mark it using PPE (using a white, blue and green cap).

Flaws:

• relatively poor quality of insulation and fixation;
• It is impossible to combine aluminum with copper.

Crimping with special sleeves

Stranding and insulation

The old “grandfather’s” method consists of twisting the cores together. The essence of the work is that the conductors are stripped and carefully twisted with pliers, after which the twisted area is insulated.

Advantages:

• simplicity electro installation work;
• no material costs.

Flaws:

• poor quality of core fastening;
• The connection of aluminum and copper products is unacceptable.

WITH using existing methods We have figured out the connections of the wires in the box, now we will consider the remaining, important issues of this topic.

What to do if there are several wires?

There are usually no problems when connecting two contacts. But what to do if you need to combine three, four or more at the same time?

• using wago terminal blocks;
• crimping with sleeves;
• soldering;
• twisting using sizes;
• twisting and wrapping with electrical tape.

We discussed in detail the order of connecting the wires for each method above. We strongly recommend that you use the first option, because... it is one of the most modern and effective. At the same time, the cost of the vag is not too high, and the wiring lasts more than 30 years.

What to do if the wires are of different sections?

To connect cores of different cross-sections in the distribution box, it is recommended to use the same VAG terminal blocks, or more cheap option– regular terminal blocks. In this case, you need to carefully tighten the wires with a screw or secure them with a flag, and that’s it, the work is finished.

Please note that if the wires are made of different material, then it is necessary to use special pads with paste inside, which will prevent oxidation of the wires. Such pads include products from Wago.

Also, cores of different sections can be secured by soldering.

Combining stranded and single-core wires

Connecting single-core and stranded wires separately has no special features, so you can use any of the methods listed above.

In order to carry out fastening, you must choose one of two options: vago terminals or soldering. It all depends on your preference; we have provided the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

How to carry out work in water and land

During electrical installation work This situation often occurs when it is necessary to fasten electrical wiring under water or in the ground. Now we will briefly look at the features of each case!

In water (for example, when installing submersible pump), it is recommended to use the following technology. To begin with, the ends are soldered, after which the soldering area is carefully insulated with hot-melt adhesive, over which it is placed. If everything is done efficiently and conscientiously, the joint will be airtight and safe. Otherwise, the electrical network may fail.

To connect an electrical wire in the ground (for example, after it mechanical damage), it is recommended to use the method provided above (hot glue and heat shrink), but it is better to be on the safe side and use the following technique. Clamp the ends of the cable using a terminal block, install a sealed junction box, and then carefully fill the box with a special silicone sealant. Please note that the underground route must additionally be placed in a pipe or box to ensure reliable operation!

All electrical engineering, since the time of Faraday, uses wires. And for as many years as wires have been used, electricians have been faced with the problem of connecting them. This article explains what methods there are for connecting conductors, and the advantages and disadvantages of these methods.

Twist connection

The easiest way to connect wires is twisting. Previously, this was the most common method, especially when wiring in a residential building. Now, according to the PUE, connecting wires in this way is prohibited. The twist must be soldered, welded or crimped. However, these methods of connecting wires begin with twisting.

In order to perform high-quality twisting, the connected wires must be cleared of insulation to the required length. It ranges from 5 mm when connecting wires for headphones to 50 mm if it is necessary to connect wires with a cross-section of 2.5 mm². Thicker wires are usually not twisted together due to their high rigidity.

Wires are stripped sharp knife, insulation stripping pliers (ISR) or, after heating with a soldering iron or lighter, the insulation is easily removed with pliers or side cutters. For better contact, bare areas are cleaned with sandpaper. If the twist is supposed to be soldered, then it is better to tin the wires. Wires are tinned only with rosin and similar fluxes. This cannot be done with acid - it corrodes the wire and it begins to break at the soldering site. Even washing the soldering area in a soda solution doesn’t help. Acid vapors penetrate under the insulation and destroy the metal.

The stripped ends are folded parallel into one bundle. The ends are aligned together, the isolated part is held firmly with your hand, and the entire bundle is twisted with pliers. After this, the twist is soldered or welded.

If there is a need to connect the wires to increase the total length, then they are folded opposite each other. The cleaned areas are placed crosswise on top of each other, twisted together by hand and tightened tightly with two pliers.

You can only twist wire made of the same metal (copper with copper, and aluminum with aluminum) and of the same cross-section. Twisting wires of different sections will turn out uneven and will not provide good contact and mechanical strength. Even if it is soldered or crimped, these types of wire connections will not ensure good contact.

How to connect electrical wires by soldering

Compound electrical wires soldering is very reliable. You can solder untwisted wires, but such soldering will be fragile due to the fact that the solder is a very soft metal. In addition, it is very difficult to lay two conductors parallel to each other, especially when suspended. And if you solder on some kind of base, the rosin will stick the soldering area to it.

A layer of rosin is applied to the pre-tinned and twisted conductors with a soldering iron. If another flux is used, it is applied in the appropriate manner. The power of the soldering iron is selected based on the cross-section of the wire - from 15 W when soldering headphones to 100 W when soldering twisted wires with a cross-section of 2.5 mm². After applying the flux, tin is applied to the twist with a soldering iron and heated until the solder completely melts and flows into the twist.

After the soldering has cooled, it is insulated with electrical tape or a piece of heat-shrinkable tubing is put on it and heated with a hairdryer, lighter or soldering iron. When using a lighter or soldering iron, be careful not to overheat the heat shrink.

This method reliably connects wires, but is only suitable for thin wires, no more than 0.5 mm², or flexible ones up to 2.5 mm².

How to connect headphone wires

Sometimes the cable near the plug breaks off in working headphones, but there is a plug from faulty headphones. There are also other situations in which it is necessary to connect the wires in the headphones.

To do this you need:

1. cut off a broken plug or an unevenly torn cable;
2. strip the external insulation by 15–20 mm;
3. determine which of the internal wires is common and check the integrity of all conductors;
4. cut the internal wiring according to the principle: leave one alone, common by 5 mm and the second by 10 mm. This is done to reduce the thickness of the connection. There can be two common conductors - each earphone has its own. In this case they are twisted together. Sometimes a screen is used as a common conductor;
5. strip the ends of the wires. If varnish is used as insulation, it will burn off during the tinning process;
6. tin the ends to a length of 5 mm;
7. put a piece of heat-shrinkable tubing on the wire 30 mm longer than the expected length of the connection;
8. put pieces of thinner heat-shrinkable tube 10 mm long on the long ends, do not put on the middle (general) ends;
9. twist the wires (long with short, and middle with middle);
10. solder the twists;
11. bend the soldered twists outward to the unprotected edges, slide pieces of thin heat-shrinkable tubing onto them and heat it with a hairdryer or lighter;
12. push a heat-shrinkable tube of a larger diameter onto the joint and warm it up.

If everything was done carefully and the color of the tube was matched to the color of the cable, then the connection will be invisible and the headphones will work no worse than new ones.

How to brew twist

For good contact, the twist can be welded with a graphite electrode or gas burner. Torch welding has not become widespread due to the complexity and the need to use gas and oxygen cylinders, so this article only talks about electric welding.

Electric welding is performed using a graphite or carbon electrode. Graphite electrode is preferable. It is cheaper and provides best quality welding Instead of a purchased electrode, you can use a rod from a battery or a brush from an electric motor. It is better not to use copper electrodes. They often get stuck.

For welding, you first need to make a twist 100 mm long, so that the finished one turns out to be about 50. The protruding wires need to be trimmed. For welding, it is best to use an inverter welding machine with adjustable current. If this is not the case, then you can take a regular transformer with a power of at least 600 W and a voltage of 12–24 V.

Near the insulation, “ground” or “minus” is connected using a thick copper clamp. If you simply wrap a wire around a twist, the twist will overheat and melt the insulation.

Before starting welding, it is necessary to select the current. The required current varies depending on the number and thickness of the wire that makes up the twist. The welding duration should be no more than 2 seconds. If necessary, welding can be repeated. If everything was done correctly, a neat ball will appear at the end of the twist, soldered to all the wires.

How to connect wires by crimping

Another way to connect wires is crimping. This is a method in which a copper or aluminum sleeve is placed on the wires or cables to be connected, and then crimped with a special crimper. For thin sleeves, a manual crimper is used, and for thick ones, a hydraulic one is used. In this way you can even connect copper and aluminum wires, which is unacceptable with a bolted connection.

To connect using this method, the cable is stripped to a length greater than the length of the sleeve, so that after putting on the sleeve, the wire sticks out 10–15 mm. If thin conductors are connected by crimping, then twisting can be done first. If the cable has a large cross-section, then, on the contrary, in the stripped areas it is necessary to align the wire, fold all the cables together and give them a round shape. Depending on local conditions, the cables can be folded with the ends in one direction or in the opposite direction. This does not affect the reliability of the connection.

A sleeve is tightly placed on the prepared cables or, when laid in opposite directions, the wires are inserted into the sleeve from both sides. If there remains in the sleeve free place, then it is filled with pieces of copper or aluminum wire. And if the cables do not fit in the sleeve, then a few wires (5–7%) can be cut off with side cutters. In the absence of a sleeve the right size You can take a cable lug by sawing off the flat part of it.

The sleeve is pressed 2–3 times along its length. The crimping points should not be located at the edges of the sleeve. It is necessary to retreat 7–10 mm from them so as not to crush the wire during crimping.

The advantage of this method is that it allows you to connect wires of different sections and from different materials, which is difficult with other connection methods.

A fairly common connection method is a bolted connection. For this type you need a bolt, at least two washers and a nut. The diameter of the bolt depends on the thickness of the wire. It should be such that a ring can be made from the wire. If wires of different sections are connected, then the bolt is selected according to the largest one.

To make a bolted connection, the end is cleared of insulation. The length of the stripped part should be such as to make a ring that fits onto the bolt using round pliers. If the wire is stranded (flexible), then the length should allow, after making the ring, to wrap the free end around the wire near the insulation.

In this way, you can connect only two identical wires. If there are more of them, or they are different in cross-section, rigidity and materials (copper and aluminum), then it is necessary to install conductive, usually steel washers. If you take a bolt of sufficient length, you can connect any number of wires.

Terminal block connection

A development of the bolted connection is the terminal connection. Terminal blocks come in two types - with a rectangular pressure washer and with a round one. When using a terminal block with a pressure washer, the insulation is removed to a length equal to half the width of the terminal block. The bolt is released, the wire is slipped under the washer and the bolt is clamped again. On one side, you can connect only two wires, preferably of the same cross-section and only flexible or only single-core.

Connecting to a terminal block with a round washer is no different from using a bolted connection.

The connection of the wires is reliable, but cumbersome. When connecting wires with a cross-section of more than 16 mm², the connection is unreliable or the use of lugs is necessary.

Self-clamping terminal blocks WAGO

In addition to terminal blocks with bolts, there are also terminal blocks with clamps. They are more expensive than usual, but they allow the connection to be made much faster, especially in connection with the new requirements of the PUE and the ban on twisting.

The most famous manufacturer of such terminal blocks is WAGO. Each terminal is a separate device with several holes for connecting wires, each of which is inserted into a separate wire. Depending on the version, it connects from 2 to 8 conductors. Some types are filled inside with conductive paste for better contact.

They are available for both detachable and permanent connections.

The stripped wire is simply inserted into the terminals for a permanent connection and spring tendrils fix the wire inside. Only hard (single-core) wire can be used.

In plug-in terminals, the wire is clamped using a folding lever and a spring clamp, making it easy to connect and disconnect wires.

Since the wires do not touch each other, the terminals allow you to connect wires of different sections, single-core to stranded, copper to aluminum.

This method of connecting conductors has proven to work best at low currents and is most widespread in lighting networks. These terminals are small in size and easily fit into adapter boxes.

How to connect electrical wires with lugs

Another way is to use tips. The tip looks like a piece of tube, cut and turned flat on one side. A hole for a bolt is drilled in the flat part. The lugs allow you to connect cables of any diameter in any combination. If it is necessary to connect a copper cable to an aluminum cable, special lugs are used, in which one part is copper and the other is aluminum. It is also possible to place a washer, brass or tinned copper, between the tips.

The ferrule is pressed onto the cable using a crimper, similar to how wires are connected using crimping.

Soldering tips

Another way to use the tip is to solder it. To do this you need:

• stripped copper cable;
• tip designed for soldering. It is distinguished by a hole near the flat part and a thinner wall;
• bath of molten tin;
• a jar of phosphoric acid;
• a jar of soda solution.

Carefully! Wear protective glasses and gloves!

In order to solder the tip, the cable is cleared of insulation along the length of the tubular part and inserted into the tip. Then the tip is successively immersed in orthophosphoric acid, in molten tin for a time sufficient for the acid to boil away and the solder to flow into the tip. This is checked by periodically briefly removing it from the solder. After impregnating the tip and cable with solder, the tip is dipped in a soda solution. This is done to neutralize acid residues. The cooled tip can be washed clean water and ready for further work. Such a tip can be connected to aluminum busbars and lugs without the use of adapter washers.

Connectors for cables and wires

Cables can also be connected using special connectors. These are sections of pipe in which threads are cut and bolts are screwed in. There are detachable connectors, in which the bolts are unscrewed, and permanent ones. In permanent connectors, the bolt heads break off after clamping. There are also connectors designed to connect wires and cables of different sections. The cables are inserted end-to-end into the connectors, facing each other.

Connectors used on air lines power transmission, consist of two halves connected by bolts. The wires are laid in special grooves towards each other, parallel to each other, after which both halves are clamped with bolts.

Connecting wires and cables using couplings

If the cable to be connected is in the ground, water or rain, then conventional methods of isolating the connection are not suitable. Even if you apply a layer to the cable silicone sealant and compress it with heat shrink tube, this will not guarantee tightness. Therefore, it is necessary to use special couplings.

Couplings are available in plastic and metal casings, poured and heat-shrinkable, high-voltage and low-voltage, regular and small-sized. The choice of coupling depends on the specific operating conditions and the presence or absence of mechanical loads.

Connecting wires and cables is one of the most important points during electrical installation. Therefore, all methods of connecting electrical wires must ensure good contact. Poor contact or poor insulation may result in short circuit and fire.

Video on the topic

Power terminal

Soldering wires in headphones

Knowledge 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 during installation and installation of any power supply systems. Is the wiring burned out, does the lighting fixture need to be replaced, or new equipment needs to be installed. Such knowledge may not be necessary, but it would be better to know all the common methods of connecting electrical wires

Application in terminal block circuits

Terminal blocks are electrical products made of non-conducting material, inside of which a conductive sleeve is inserted, which has a pair of screws at opposite ends. They serve to secure the wire. Great choice for implementation modern way wire connections.

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

This method is almost always used for connections in junction boxes of any type, during installation, installation of wall and other lamps. It is suitable for. It is easy to mount a 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 should not be crushed. Having figured out how to properly connect electrical wires using terminals, it is worth exploring other equally reliable methods.

Terminal method rating: Excellent fastening quality. Their prices are reasonable. Quite quick and easy installation. A good opportunity to connect different conductors, for example, aluminum and copper.

It is not recommended to connect aluminum and stranded circuits with blocks. 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

Quick installation of electrical networks is sometimes simply necessary. For example, install temporary lighting on a balcony, terrace, gazebo. Wago spring terminals are an excellent product for such work. Modern and of course reliable way wire connections. Although they are new to the electrical accessories market, installation using spring terminals is quick and, importantly, convenient.

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

1. In its normal version, this product is used for one-time use, with repair work it cannot be restored subsequently. It is removed and a new one is installed in its place.
2. Wago reusable terminals are a little more expensive, but with their help you can disconnect the assembled contacts several times, rewiring the circuit to suit your needs. This speeds up the process of repairing or installing permanent and temporary networks. A simple lever-type mechanism provides the advantage that it is possible to carefully but efficiently fix any wire without damaging or squeezing it.

With the help of a vault, it’s easy to do the fastening yourself; you just need to strip the insulation and insert the required wires into the mounting hole. Press the lever. It's important to get it right.

Wago Clamp System Rating: Unique opportunity combination of any aluminum, copper and other conductors. There is an option for connecting multi-core cables simultaneously (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 type block has a technological hole that provides 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.

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

Evaluation of the use of such products: Quite low cost of PPE. Application safe material prevents ignition of electrical wiring. Easy installation, put it on a twist of wires and you're done. These caps have a large color scheme, which is convenient. Of course, if the wires are not color coded, colored PPE has the ability to determine or simply mark zero, phase and other necessary electrical routes.

There are also disadvantages: Insufficient level of fixation. Multicore wires can be installed only after soldering.

Installation of networks using sleeves

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

Crimping wires with sleeves

The conductive wires are inserted into a special tube - a sleeve, and crimped with a certain force. There is one thing, but... The cross-section of the wires should not exceed the cross-section of the mounted sleeves. Having inserted and crimped the clip, the sleeve is carefully insulated with heat-shrinkable tubing or other insulating materials.

Overall rating. A great way to securely connect wires. The direction of the conductors can be on different sides of the tube or on one side. The sleeves are quite inexpensive. Good way how to reliably connect the wires to each other.

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

Soldering or welding wires

This method is reliable. Typically, this method of connection in a junction box involves first stripping and twisting the ends, after which they are dipped into heated solder. It is advisable to connect aluminum to aluminum wires by soldering. They are then insulated using a heat pipe or insulating tape.

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

Technological disadvantage. You can't do this 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 connections. It has not been popular among masters for a long time because it takes more time.

There is also a less common method for connecting electrical wires, welding. The process is similar, but requires the use of special welding machine, naturally, and certain skills.

Contact twisting method

Not a new, one might say “old-fashioned” method, it consists of spiral twisting of the cores among themselves. The essence of all work is to twist the stripped conductors using pliers, and cover the twisted area with insulation. These are, perhaps, all the ways to twist wires.

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

Flaw. It is prohibited to connect together strands of different compositions, copper and aluminum wires., oxidation is inevitable. According to the regulatory framework, fastening wires with twists in a junction box is not recommended for use in rooms with flammable 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 which is better: twisting or Vago terminal blocks.

Wire clamp "walnut"

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

Grade. An excellent option for connecting any electrical wires in a large and medium-sized junction box. Definitely, these types of products are quite convenient and have a high degree of protection. Makes it possible to quickly connect a wire to a thick gauge track without tearing it.

Flaws. Dimensions allow installation only in spacious distribution boxes and switchboards. Over time, the screws loosen.

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

• It is necessary to work only with isolated tools and use protective equipment.
• Be sure to post a “do not turn on” warning sign on the disconnect panel or meter.
• Connect electrical appliances according to the attached instructions.

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

Most important elements 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 this work. Unfortunately, such poor-quality work cannot be diagnosed; deficiencies appear when the system is loaded. In this case, a poor-quality connection begins to heat up and this often leads to a fire, which is not always possible to localize.

This review describes the main types of wire connections with photos, 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 construction of electrical installations (PUE), which are approved by the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. They must not contradict 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 cannot be used without additional fixation, which was widely used previously, since there are better and no less accessible modern technologies.

In order to determine how best to connect the wires, it is necessary to study all available technologies and 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 their fastening using terminals, various spring clamps, 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 labor intensity. Before connecting the wires with your own hands, you should read the instructions. It is worth noting that all work requires preliminary cleaning of materials from oxide film.

Technical characteristics of various options

Let's take a closer look at electrical installation 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. It is most often 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. The remaining rosin evaporates when heated. Before soldering several wires, 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. The work should be done as quickly as possible to avoid melting the plastic insulation. Aluminum can also be joined in this way, but this requires special flux and solder.

Welding

Welding can withstand high currents and has mechanical strength. This way you can connect both copper and aluminum. It is very convenient for large diameter cores. 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 obtain accurate contact, you must first practice and select the operating 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 special tools. They come in copper and aluminum. This operation is quite simple, but requires the selection of sleeves of the required size and a special tool to compress them.

The work is done quite simply: the wires are rolled into a bundle, inserted into a sleeve and crimped in several places. It can withstand large current. The biggest difficulty is selecting sleeves of the required diameter: they should not be too large or small.

Twist

As described above, this method cannot be used without additional fixation. Since it does not allow you to create 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 insulation. To do this, use insulating tape for electrical installation work or heat shrink tubing. They are made from polymer material, which allows their diameter to be reduced several times when heated.

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

For reliability, after installing the first tube, install a second tube of larger diameter. After shrinking, the material should reliably cover the ends of the contact.

The following solutions do not require additional equipment and allow you to easily make the correct connection of wires when entry level qualifications.

Terminal blocks

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

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

Connecting insulating clamps

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

Wago Clamps

This type of connection has conquered the market with its convenience and ease of use. They connect all kinds of conductors. Clamps are available for different numbers of connections.

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

Bolt fastenings

This type of fastening is classic; it allows you to connect copper with aluminum. Consists of a bolt with a nut and three washers. You can make it yourself if there are no 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, you can make safe and reliable contacts that will serve for many years. It should be remembered that in any case, these works must be performed as carefully and carefully as possible, without haste.

Photo of the process of connecting wires