Terminate
Express Electrical offers comprehensive solutions for electrical cable termination and connection. From cutting and crimping tools to a wide variety of terminals and connectors, we have the high-quality products you need to ensure reliable and efficient electrical connections.
In this department, you can find:
- Cut, Strip and Crimp Tools - Cembre and Klauke tools - including battery crimping tools, cutting tools, Stanley knives, wire stripping and VDE hand tools
- Bootlace Ferrules - Insulated and Uninsulated bootlace crimps in French and German colour codes
- Pre-Insulated Terminals - Cembre, Klauke and expressTERM pre-insulated terminals Uninsulated Terminals - Pin and ring type terminals from expressTERM
- Copper Tube Terminals - Cembre, Klauke and expressTERM cable lugs
- Electrical Wire Terminal Kits - Empty organiser boxes as well as kits filled with Bootlace, Pre-Insulated and copper tube terminals
- Cable Glands - Cembre and expressTERM cable glands, locknuts, kits, and IP washers
- DIN Rail & Terminal Blocks - DIN Rail, Entrelec Terminals, DBL and DBLK Power Distributions Blocks
- Constant Force Springs - 3M constant force springs
- Earthing and Protection - Earth Rods, Earth Bosses, Cable Clamps, Inspection Pits, C Sleeve Connectors and Copper Tape
- Fuses and Fuse Holders - Fuse Holders, NITD Tag Fuses, Solid Links, and 3amp, 5amp & 13amp BS1362 Fuses
- Industrial Plugs and Sockets - ILME IP44 and IP67 industrial plugs and sockets
- Cable Jointing Kits - Straight and Branch Resin cable splicing kits
- Heat Shrink Solder Sleeves - Solder heat shrink sleeves available in clear, red, blue and yellow
- 12 Way Connector Strips - 5amp, 15amp, 30amp and 60 amp strip connectors
- Quick Splice Connectors - Wire splice connectors in red, blue and yellow
- Cable and wire - Wire and cables including panel wire and tri rated cable
What is Wire Termination?
Wire termination is performed when a piece of electrical equipment is attached to the end of a wire. This piece of electrical equipment is used to connect two or more electrical devices, such as switches, terminals and connectors.
When it comes to the different types of electrical terminations there are two main choices:
- Wire Soldering
– This is completed when two or more objected are bonded using a heated metal called solder. When soldering, you do not apply heat to the cable or electrical products, instead you apply heat to the filler metal, which is placed unto the cable. Once applied, the solder will harden to create a tight bond.
- Wire Crimping
– This method of termination is achievable when one piece of metal is deformed and compressed tightly with another piece of metal. It involves using the appropriate crimp tool to install the connector unto the cable.
Both methods have different advantages and disadvantages. However, for cable connections, wire crimping is the most popular choice. It is often quicker, easier and more suited to high production levels. More importantly, wire crimping will provide more protection from environmental factors, such as dirt and moisture. This makes it a more durable solution, offering more reliable, long-lasting connections.
What is the right Wire Terminal for my application?
There are many different types of electrical equipment that can be attached to wires, such as pre-insulated terminals, copper tube terminals, bootlace ferrules and many more. The type of wire terminal that is right for you will depend on the specific needs of your applications.
To help pick the best wire terminal for you, it helps to consider factors such as:
- Wire and Gauge Size - When choosing a wire terminal, it is essential that you choose the right size for your wire gauge and the correct crimping die to match. All pre-insulated wire terminals are colour-coded to the size of the conductors they accommodate:
- Red is for 0.25 - 1.5mm ² or 22 - 16 AWG
- Blue is for 1.5 - 2.5mm ² or 16 - 14 AWG
- Yellow is for 4 - 6mm ² or 12 - 10 AWG
- Operating Temperature Range - Many electrical applications are subjected to harsh environmental conditions, such as abrasions and extreme temperatures. Therefore, when choosing the wire terminal that is best for your application, it is important to consider the operating temperatures that it will be subjected to as it must have the ability to withstand these conditions.
- Operating Voltage Range - Current rating and the required voltage range is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a wire terminal. If a wire terminal does not match the current capabilities of your project, it can present big electrical safety risks to your project.
- Wire Terminal Material and Insulating Material - There are many different material types to choose from for wire terminals and its insulation. Before choosing the material that is right for you, it’s important to understand the needs of your application and required durability of your material.
Questions❓
Find more information about electrical terminals and connectors in our blog post Terminals and Connectors - What are the different types and when should I use them?