The electrical network of a single house is a complex system of wires, electrical installations and a protective automatic group. The most vulnerable points are the switching points of two or more conductors.
The task of the electrician is to select and correctly install the wire connectors that will be most suitable for the characteristics, perform their function perfectly and, most importantly, ensure reliability and safety.
We will figure out what types of connectors are most often used in everyday life, what kind of switching devices are suitable for which work, what are the features of their installation. In addition, we will provide practical recommendations for choosing the appropriate type of connector.
Classifications and GOST requirements
Wire connectors are any devices that serve to close / open an electrical circuit. This can be wiring products - sockets, switches, as well as metal tires and plates, lugs, terminals and terminal blocks - blocks with several sockets.
We will focus on connectors in a narrower sense - on elements that create collapsible and non-collapsible connections and ensure their reliability and functionality - that is, on all kinds of terminals, terminal blocks and sleeves.
The simplest example of a lug for a stranded wire. The terminal is a metal sleeve-tube fixed on the end of the conductor with crimping pliers
Terminals are called as metal elements for the design of the ends of single and multicore wires, and small plates inside the connecting devices - sockets, terminal blocks, patch panels.
The terminals differ in manufacturing material, shape and size, but are similar in purpose - they provide mechanically strong switching of two or more wires, without electrical losses and installation difficulties
The classification of electrical connectors is presented in GOST 10434-82, where information is given on the division into classes (1, 2, 3) and into groups (A, B). Also, contact connections, according to standards, are divided into detachable and one-piece, requiring stabilization or working without it.
Some recommendations may be useful not only for professionals, but also for home masters who independently install electrical wiring.
For example, it talks about the most preferred methods of joining aluminum plates — by soldering or welding, and aluminum tips — by crimping or welding.
Popular types of connectors
Switching wires by soldering or welding in households is becoming less common. Special devices have come to replace that facilitate the installation process and shorten the time of work. Their main advantage is accessibility for lovers.
For example, to connect two conductors with a Vago terminal block, you do not need to know its design or principle of operation - it is important to correctly install it.
Consider the features of products that can be useful if you need to connect wires without soldering during wiring or repairing electrical equipment.
Cable type terminals
For quick detachable connections, cable terminals are installed on the conductors on one or both sides.
They participate in various electrical procedures:
- when connecting inductive coils;
- in power supplies, generators and starters;
- in windings of transformers and motors, etc.
The material and number of cores does not matter: they are installed on single and multicore wires made of aluminum or copper. Moreover, the elements themselves are produced mostly from copper, nickel, brass or bronze.
Consider 4 types of terminals required for the assembly of electrical circuits.
Option # 1 - knife
On sale you can find a variety of brass and nickel tips, uninsulated and insulated. The simplest and cheaper - non-insulated products, their cost starts from 0.2 rubles. a piece.
Knife elements can be found if you disassemble an iron, heating device or other household appliance. They are part of the circuit and connect two or more conductors to each other
This type is not used to equip power wiring, for example, they do not participate in the assembly of electrical panels. Most often, multi-stranded wires are crimped with knife tips, the cross section of which is no more than 6 mm².
The shell of insulated products varies in color, which depends on the rated power of the connection block or other terminal block.
Option # 2 - Ring
The shape of the elements is reflected in the name - they resemble a closed ring. Like the previous version, they are isolated and uninsulated. The flat part of the first is placed inside the polymer winding.
The connection with the ring terminal is considered more reliable due to the increase in the area of contact of the flat circle with the oncoming terminal. Strong fixing is provided with a bolt or screw clamp
The fixing screw is inserted into the “circle” of the terminal, the nut is screwed on the reverse side, after which the probability of the conductor slipping out of the connection is reduced to zero.
Production material - aluminum, nickel, copper, brass. Ring products are used not only in low-current, but also in powerful lines of force of large cross section, under a bolt of 27 mm or more. They are connected to the conductors by soldering, welding or crimping.
Option # 3 - Forklift
Switching of both power and secondary circuits is also carried out using fork tips, in the form of a plug with two rounded teeth. The terminals are fixed either on the devices or on the busbars with a screw connection.
This form, unlike the ring one, is convenient when the conductors often need to be reconnected or connected only temporarily with subsequent disconnection. To remove the conductor, you do not need to completely unscrew the screw, just loosen it slightly
However, the connection itself is no less reliable than the ring, the contact due to the twisted screw is quite tight. Terminals in the shape of a plug are suitable for wires with a cross section of up to 6 mm², the method of attachment is crimping.
Option # 4 - pin
Tips in the form of pins are used in detachable connections, which differ in the marking: the plug is indicated by the letter "A", and the socket - "B". Suitable for conductors of various sizes, up to approximately 6.5 mm².
The element itself consists of two parts: a metal open pin and an insulated part, to which a copper or aluminum conductor is attached
The color of the insulating sheath is tied to the cross section: for example, for some manufacturers, the polymer part of the terminals with a cross section up to 2 mm² is blue, and with a large cross section - yellow.
Sleeves for pressure testing
Excellent contact between two or more conductors provides a crimping method, which is produced using metal sleeves of various diameters.
As a result of pressing operations with a special tool, the cores turn into a monolithic, but already inseparable connection.
The crimped sleeve cannot be removed to disconnect the conductors. If you cut it across, you can see how the veins form a single monolith
If separation of spliced conductors is necessary, then mechanical cutting should be performed and the sleeve removed - it cannot be reused. On the one hand, one-time use and one-piece use are disadvantages.
Sleeves as connectors have some advantages:
- they do not destroy the conductors, like the same screw clamps, but make the connection as strong as possible, not burnt;
- maximally protect copper conductors from contact with moisture and air, that is, from oxidation;
- create a reliable connection from a mechanical point of view - it cannot be accidentally broken.
For crimping use a special crimping tool - pincers, which are also called crimper. In addition to it, a stripper for removing insulation and nippers for trimming can be useful.
The use of cartridges:
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Step 1 - Stripping the cores for crimping
Step 5 - crimping the remaining wires
Step 6 - Install Heat Shrink
Step 7 - heating the insulation until glue drops appear
Step 8 - Re-Isolation
As a result, we obtain durable, well-conducting current, one-piece joints that do not deform when heated and do not melt during power surges.
The power wires are often connected with sleeves precisely in junction boxes, the approach to which will be further blocked by sheets of drywall or other cladding
The most reliable GM - copper sleeves without additional processing and GMF - tinned copper sleeves coated with an alloy of bismuth and tin. The second option is more reliable, since the protective layer protects against corrosion and oxidation.
Both types of sleeves are not suitable for connecting aluminum conductors. For this, special GA - aluminum sleeves. To connect copper and aluminum used Gam.
The best options from the existing are GSI - insulated products. When crimping, additional insulation is not required, it is only necessary to crimp
The size of the sleeve is selected depending on the total value of the conductors. The choice is large - for example, on the market are GMDs for wires with a cross section from 2.5 mm² to 300 mm².
Terminal Blocks - Switching Devices
The terminal blocks are not part of the wires, as are the terminals, but rather devices for switching.
They can connect different types of wires:
- in isolation;
- with insulation removed;
- with installed terminals.
The species assortment is large, we dwell only on the most common, affordable and widely represented in stores.
Option # 1 - Screw Pads
Wiring accessories designed to connect paired conductors are called pads.
They are a dielectric strong plastic case, inside of which there are nests with terminals and screw fasteners for conductors.
To ensure the switching of a pair of conductors, it is necessary to insert their ends into sockets located opposite each other and fixation by screw
Pads are sold in large blocks, which can be reduced if necessary. To do this, cut off the desired number of paired cells with a construction knife. For example, to connect three pairs of wires in a junction box, you will need a section with 3 pairs of sockets.
The disadvantage of using pads is that they do not provide a reliable connection. Over time, the screw mount becomes loose, as a result of which the connection weakens.
If copper can withstand this situation, then aluminum will overheat and spark. The way out is regular revision and tightening of screw fasteners.
Another minus of terminal boxes: they are used only for connecting conductors to one core. Stranded wires are deformed and broken during fixing, which leads to overheating
Product advantages: “fitting” in the number of connections, quick installation, only a screwdriver is required from the tools.
What to do if it is necessary to connect several stranded pairs, and only pads at hand? It is possible to carry out switching using connectors for wires - install on the ends of the terminals.
Crimped pin lugs suitable for cell diameters are ideal.
Option # 2 - Spring Terminal Blocks
Connectors with a spring mechanism clamp one or more conductors and hold them, without reducing the pressure density.
There are two types of "spring loaded":
- disposableproviding one-piece connection;
- reusablewhich can be disassembled if necessary.
The design of the product is simple: inside a polyamide or polycarbonate body that can withstand high temperatures, a steel spring fixed with a chromium-nickel alloy is fixed. The connection terminal is made of tinned copper.
Dismantling the conductor from the reusable terminal block is carried out by pressing the lever located on the housing. It is used if it is again necessary to make switching.
One of the varieties of spring terminal blocks is designed specifically for installation under a DIN rail, that is, for the equipment of electrical panels and cabinets.
Spring connectors are often used in domestic conditions, for example, for connecting lighting circuits. They can be single or block, consisting of several terminal blocks
Product Advantages:
- provide a reliable connection;
- carry out the switching of conductors from different materials;
- have low resistance;
- do not require the use of a special tool;
- reusable without loss of functionality.
The disadvantage of spring elements is the inability to maintain powerful power lines, only small currents are available.
Option # 3 - self-locking connectors
Expensive, but the most convenient to install switching devices. A pressure plate is enclosed inside the case, which is triggered if the conductor is inserted according to the instructions to the stop. The bare part of the core is pressed against the tinned tire.
The design is designed in such a way that over time, the connection does not weaken and does not lose its qualities. Strong manufacturing materials also contribute to this.
The disadvantage of most self-clamping devices is their one-time use. However, there are products with levers that can be used several times.
In the product line of connectors Wago There are several varieties of self-clamping terminal blocks that have proven themselves from the best side.
In addition to the listed connectors for electrical wires use:
- knife terminal blocks - suitable for switching conductors without stripping;
- couplings - fasten by a screw way.
The latter version of the device is used less often.
How to choose the right connector?
When choosing the right type of connector, everything is important: the brand, the material of manufacture, the diameter of the switched conductors. Do not forget about the current load - even the most reliable terminal blocks have limitations.
Professional installers clearly know which connectors to use in a given situation, while amateurs can make a mistake and install the wrong connector. We will analyze cases that cause difficulties in choosing.
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The best option is to use heterogeneous terminal blocks. However, in their absence, it is possible to carry out a screw clamp by separating the conductors with the parts of the bolt with washers. If you use a spring washer, the connection will not lose reliability over time
There are several ways to make a reliable connection of conductors, but we recommend excluding twisting as an unsafe technique, and a special tool is needed for soldering. The most effective method is crimping with a sleeve, but you can use terminal blocks, and in an exceptional case - PPE caps
For switching conductors with different cross-sections, it is best to use terminal blocks. It can be both reliable plastic products with screw fasteners, and Vago terminal blocks with levers.The second option is good because the wires get additional protection against oxidation, as the nests are filled with paste
If it is necessary to place the connection underground, additional protection measures should be taken. It is possible to make terminal switching, put on a junction box on top, completely fill it with silicone sealant, and then place the entire structure in a pipe that provides protection against rodents
Aluminum / Copper Switching
Connection of several single or stranded wires
How to connect conductors with different cross sections
Extra protection for installation in the ground
If you want to put the connected area in water, it is better to make a commutation by soldering, after which fill everything with hot glue and close it with heat shrink.
Briefing on the use of various types of connectors:
In detail about sleeves and crimping pincers:
What are the good self-clamping terminal blocks:
The right choice of terminals and connectors ensures safety without which any electrical network cannot exist.. If you have a tool, you can connect the wires yourself using the appropriate type of connector.
VAGO connectors are especially easy to install, however, subject to the switching instructions.
Have experience connecting wires? Or want to ask questions about the choice and use of connectors? Please comment on the publication and participate in the discussions. The feedback block is located below.