Crimping tool

Tired of frayed cable ends? Would you like to securely attach cable lugs or ferrules so that your wires are permanently fixed in screw terminals or spring terminals? With the high-quality pressing tools from the eibabo® shop, well-functioning contact connections can be made in no time at all. Manual, battery-powered and electric, hydraulic or pneumatic crimping tools are in daily use and are part of the basic equipment of a good electrician. Even the private do-it-yourselfer achieves better results if the tools used are easy to use and precisely cut, strip or press. In this article, we will introduce you to the most important pressing tools and give tips on what to look out for when buying one. Here you will find numerous high-quality crimping pliers, cable lug pliers, notched pliers, contact crimping pliers and other crimping tools at top conditions. All products in the shop are often used by us and our partners for years and can be recommended without reservation.

What is crimping?

Most of the items presented here are special tools for performing a wide variety of activities. But they all have one thing in common: the tools create a connection between two components by plastically deforming them. This deformation can be caused by pressing, squeezing, piercing, flanging or folding and is referred to as 'crimping'. All of these tools are by definition crimping tools, although 'crimping pliers' are often referred to as a separate product group. We mainly use the term 'press tools'.

What is the difference between pressing tools?

Pressing tools are different devices that permanently connect two materials or components through deformation. One of the most common applications is attaching connectors to the end of electrical wires. But many pressing tools are multifunctional. Depending on the application, you can also bend, cut or strip materials with it. The tools are designed in such a way that they are suitable for specific cable diameters, conductor cross-sections or pipe sizes in order to guarantee secure connections. There is typically no provision for the connections to be released.

The biggest difference between the individual pressing tools lies in the type of function or operation. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. When machining smaller components, for example, precision is often important. It is best to use a manually operated pressing tool here. When you need more power, hydraulic and electric models make your job easier.

hand tools

Manual devices are often small, light and intended for the tool case. These are in the form of pliers and are suitable for daily use on the construction site and for processing smaller components.

Equipment for the workbench

Bench tools are the opposite of manual tools. These are big and heavy and have power. Permanently mounted on the workbench, these can be operated electrically or manually with levers and rotary devices.

Good to know

With the manual and battery-operated devices from our shop, you are already optimally equipped for conventional electrical installations. More complex tools are more for commercial and industrial use.

Electrical appliances

Electrically operated pressing tools are usually equipped with rechargeable batteries and do the work without much effort. Wired models are rare. Although these devices are not for the pocket, they are intended for mobile use on the construction site.

Pneumatic pressing tools

Pneumatically operated pressing tools require little effort. The compression force is provided by compressed air. These devices offer maximum performance and are suitable for demanding installations, repair services and maintenance work. Here we distinguish between small mobile devices and permanently installed models for the workshop.

Hydraulic pressing tools

These models are similar to the pneumatic variants. Here, too, there are mobile and fixed pressing tools. However, the compression force is provided by hydraulic fluid.

The pliers for ferrules

A bare and unprotected wire end is not optimal for the connection with screw terminals, spring terminals or similar. This applies in particular to flexible strands, which consist of many thin wires. These ends will fray in screw terminals, become damaged, and lack the strength to be plugged into spring terminals. Wire-end ferrules were developed for this purpose, which give the wire a firm shape and improve the resistance of the wires to oxidation. This increases the longevity and reliability of a connection. A ferrule is a soft metal tube that is crimped onto the end of a stripped wire. Most ferrules are made of copper and are tinned, sometimes gold or silver plated. This serves to protect against corrosion. The diameter and length of a ferrule is determined by the thickness of the wire.

Notice

Ferrules are color coded for the maximum wire sizes. However, there are different, sometimes contradicting color codes. Please ensure the correct size to ensure secure connections.

A ferrule is usually wider on one side to make it easier to put it on the wire. This side is covered with a plastic cable entry sleeve (protective collar). The protective collar serves as a transition between the core insulation and the ferrule. The ferrule pliers only crimp the copper part with the wire while leaving the plastic sleeve around the insulation undamaged.

cable lug pliers

In addition to ferrules, cable lugs are often attached to the wires. Cable lugs are similar to ferrules. While a ferrule only encloses and protects the wire, cable lugs also have a special attachment option for the cable. This can be, for example:

Ring Eyelets: The connection part consists of a flat contact surface and is in the form of an annular eyelet completely closed in a circle. There are versions with one hole or multiple holes. Cable lugs with multiple holes prevent rotation or movement of the cable lug.

Clevis: The connecting portion of a fork is in the shape of a two-pronged fork. The connection point here is not a circular closed hole, but open on one side.

Special shapes: There are cable lugs in special shapes, such as flat contact surfaces (with and without side guides) for sliding onto suitable mating contacts.

TIP:

Multifunction tools offer the option of changing the press inserts. Among other things, this allows you to process various wire-end ferrules and cable lugs with just one device.

Choosing the right cable lug (and thus the choice of the correct cable lug pliers) also depends on the conductor class. You can find more information in the category 'cable lugs'.

RJ45 crimping pliers

RJ45 crimping pliers are specially designed for processing non-assembled network cables and telephone lines. The pliers are used to press the Western plug (RJ45) with the inserted wires of the cables. These pliers often have an integrated flat cable cutter and a possibility for stripping.

Are there pressing tools for extremely thin wire cross-sections?

Working with particularly thin cables does not forgive any mistakes. Problems can even arise with the classic manual press tools. For such requirements, use a press tool with a ratchet lock. This locking device in connection with an automatic cross-section adjustment controls the pressing process. Human errors are excluded and uniformly controlled pressing results are guaranteed.

Can I squeeze wire ends with pliers?

The pressing and squeezing of ferrules or cable lugs with conventional pliers is not recommended. You cannot produce a safe, clean and durable cold-weld joint with it. A bad crimping result means, for example, that the sleeve or the cable lug is loose and comes off. Air and moisture could enter the connection. Then corrosion occurs and the electrical conductivity would be impaired.

Source: eibabo®, Klauke K 05 D press tool Image: Klauke K 05 D pressing tool

Isn't soldering much more stable than pressing?

A proper press connection usually provides a stronger and more reliable connection than soldering. Soldered joints can break under certain circumstances, while pressed cable ends are significantly more robust. Press connections can be made more easily with cables and lines that have already been laid. Soldering in dark and hard-to-reach places is difficult.

How do I release a press connection?

It is not intended to release a press connection again. If you undo a press fit, the second try is unlikely to hold reliably. In these cases, shorten the cable or line and make a new press connection.

Which pressing tools are the best?

Professionals and ambitious do-it-yourselfers will find professional-quality crimping tools and tools for crimping, cutting and stripping at eibabo®. In addition to pressing tools of all kinds, we also have a wide range of accessories, spare parts and additional parts in our range. The pressing tools available here offer you efficient, high-quality technology. Well-known manufacturers include Cimco, Wiha, Klauke, Weidmüller, Harting, Knipex, Phoenix Contact as well as ABB Stotz and WAGO Kontakttechnik.

Catalogue content:

In this eibabo® catalogue Tools (Press, cut and isolate) > Crimp tool cable lugs, cable end sleeves, screen connection you will find items from the following product groups: