How to connect a stranded wire or connect it to a single-core
Rules for connecting a stranded conductor
Very often during the laying of a multicore cable or wire, it becomes necessary to connect it to such common elements of an electrical circuit as circuit breaker, socket, meter, plug, lamp holder and so on. Most often it is used exactly copper wires, especially in everyday life. The main task in this case is to ensure reliable contact with the clamping bolt connection of these devices and apparatuses, which means to make the stranded wire as monolithic and uniform as possible. You can perform this procedure in several ways:
- Having twisted all thin veins in a tight bunch and if section allows, bend it in the opposite direction. This can be done with pliers or hands, it all depends on the cross section of the conductive core. This method is the simplest and is used in modern wiring only in emergency cases, but it also has a right to exist. Performing this procedure with a cable with a large cross-section in this way will not work, so it is more suitable for supplying voltage to the plug, to an outlet or to the cartridge of a low-power lighting device.
- Via tinning conductor. This method is more effective than the previous one and will provide reliable contact. Its main disadvantage is that there is not always a soldering iron at hand, and even electricity for its operation. Tinning can be performed as a flat conductor, or bent into a ring along the diameter of the terminal block bolt, but before that, again, all thin wires must be tightly twisted. This method can be applied in all cases of connecting to electrical appliances, to a machine, socket, etc., if it allows you to make a section.
- Crimping the tip. Tips allow soldering to achieve reliable and durable contact. Tips are of two types: with bolt mount and just sleeve.Depending on the connected element, you need to select the appropriate type and suitable section. Any type of cable, of any cross-section, both stranded and single-core, can be connected with a tip, sleeves, but for this you will need a special tool that will need to be purchased before installation, especially at a professional level. The connection of the stranded wire in the shield, to the terminal strip, to the meter, performed this way, not only looks aesthetically pleasing and correct, but also reduces the likelihood of heating at the junction points. The photo below shows tips like NShVI on stranded wires.
Tinning is a good way, but in practice more often the wires are terminated with tips, it is faster, easier and often more reliable than other methods. However, do not crimp the tips with pliers - the core will simply pop out of them and you will not get a good connection. To do this, it is better to buy crimping pliers with square dies, you can find them for about 1000.
Solid and stranded wire connection
There are times when it becomes necessary to connect a single-core and multi-core wire to each other. In this case, you must immediately pay attention to the materials from which they are made, since copper and aluminum will necessarily enter into a chemical reaction over time, oxidation and electrical contact will break, which will lead to heating and an emergency. Connection of aluminum wire with copper It is worth doing through a bolt or terminal connection, while using any of the methods for fixing a stranded wire described above and used to form a monolithic structure.
If you need to connect a single-core and stranded copper wire, then this can be done in several ways:
- Twist as indicated in the photo below.
- Twisting followed by soldering.
- Using the terminal block.
- Putting the tips under the bolt and crimping them.
After any connection, carefully insulate this area with insulation tape or shrink.
But since twisting is prohibited according to chapters 2.1 of the PUE Section 2.1.21, this method is suitable for temporary connection. It is better to make rings, tin them and connect them under a bolt, or use lugs with ring terminals. You can also use WAGO terminal blocks.
Methods for connecting stranded wires
We now proceed directly to the connection of two or more stranded wires. It should be noted that with a cross section greater than 16 mm2 and with corresponding heavy loads, the connection of two or more cables twisting not executed, as it is considered unreliable and incorrect. It is carried out only through the terminal strip and with the use of lugs.
However, when organizing lighting systems and connecting household appliances, a wire with a diameter of 1.5 is used; 2.5; 4 mm2 therefore, consider the methods of their installation. In fact, twisting of wires made of copper and aluminum is prohibited!
- Twisting two stranded copper wires. This connection is very simple and common in the form of parallel twisting, which results in reliable contact for such a section and current flowing through it, but it does not tolerate the gap due to force and vibration.
- Twisting of three or more wires. Similar to the previous one, but requires more effort and tightness of the beam twist.
- Serial connection of two stranded wires - the method of "winding". This technique will be needed if connected to the main line.
- Bandage. It is carried out by twisting a separate wire, it can be as an additional element of a sequential or parallel method. Provides extra tensile strength.
Each of these methods is recommended after twisting to be additionally crimped into the tip (sleeve) or soldered, which will several times improve its contact characteristics and increase reliability during operation.
Finally, we recommend that you watch the video tutorials, which clearly shows how the connection of stranded wires is performed:
It will be useful to read:
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not a stranded wire, but a wire with a multi-wire core. Before writing articles, you must read the PUE.
We know this, but we used the word "multi-core", as our site is read and people are far from electricians and call this type of vein so.
Twisting is not in the list of allowed connection methods. Before writing articles, you must read the PUE.
They even referred to the PUE clause, which prohibits it, and indicated the moment in the article.
Great article