Almost every home master is faced with the need to connect wires. During repair, conducting new wiring or simply connecting a new device to the network, it is required to perform such actions. They differ in scale and complexity.
On the way to the consumer, electrical networks have many branches. In these places, connectors for wires are installed . There are many types of them. How to choose and apply such elements of electrical networks, you should know every electrician before starting work.
The evolution of compounds
Previously, electricians did not have a question how to connect the wires to each other . For this, a single technology was used for all. The wires were stripped, twisted between the soda and wrapped with electrical tape.
Previously, in homes, wiring was made of aluminum wires. Today, a copper core for the arrangement of the power supply system is simply necessary. In recent decades, a new, powerful equipment has appeared in our homes and apartments. In its application, a solid, high-quality wiring is required.
According to experts, at the junction of the wires, malfunctions most often occur. Twisted conductors begin to heat up when the load increases. Insulating tape breaks with time. At this point, a short circuit is likely. To avoid a fire, special wire connectors must be used . The types and features of the use of such products will be discussed later.
Posting Rules
In order to understand what kind of wire connections it is advisable to do in a particular case, it is necessary to consider the rules for the arrangement of electrical installations. They clearly indicate which methods are acceptable when arranging modern communication systems. Considering the rules for connecting wires, we can draw conclusions about the unacceptability of the use of twists. The regulatory documentation clearly states that all cores must be joined by welding, crimping, crimping or soldering.
The wiring must be made from a cable with a copper core. In order for such a network to have high reliability indicators, the connections must be as strong as possible. The cross section of the cores is selected in accordance with the total expected load. The more equipment connected to the network, the thicker the conductor must be connected to the system.
Caps
Considering how to connect the wires to each other , some non-professional masters still decide to give preference to the twisting of wires. This is acceptable if local wiring repair or a low-power device is connected to the house network. In this case, the master can somewhat improve such a junction of veins.
To ensure greater reliability, special caps are used. They are used instead of electrical tape. They are also called connecting insulating clamps (PPE).
Connection of wires with clamps is safer than the option with electrical tape. The connector has the appearance of a plastic cup. A steel spring is mounted in it . It clamps the contacts and provides a reliable contact. High-quality clamps have a special lubricant that prevents oxidation processes. When choosing, you must consider which wires the product is intended for (multicore or single core). You should also evaluate the cross section of the conductor for which the clip is intended. PPE is not used for connecting cores from different materials.
Terminals
The most common cable connector today is in the form of terminals. They are made of brass. In this case, the connected ends of the cable do not contact each other directly. Therefore, with the help of such structures, identical conductors can be switched, cores of various cross-sectional sizes, made of different materials.
In order to be able to create the right joint, you need to select the appropriate types of terminals. They differ in the nominal current indicator, as well as the permissible diameter for the wire. All terminal specifications are indicated on their case.
Some commercially available terminals may include a special filler. The gel inhibits oxidation processes, increasing the reliability of the connection. Terminals are knife, spring, screw.
Spring varieties
Wire connections with spring-type clamps are used for both simple and complex circuits. For several pairs of wires, a special block modification is made.
Fixation occurs due to the straightening of the spring mechanism. This mount is considered one of the most reliable. The composition of this mechanism includes a special lubricant. It differs from previous materials that are used in fasteners. This is not a gel, but a lubricant of a certain consistency.
In the manufacture of spring- type terminals, manufacturers indicate the scope of such products. Clamps for stranded and solid wire are available. This must be considered when choosing. Most often, the presented type of fastening is used for branching zero and phase.
Knife terminals
Today, another electrical connector is used. It is called a knife terminal. This is a reliable, durable connection. Such terminals are easy to install and operate. The wires in this case are switched using a special conductive plate. When clamping wires, this structural element cuts the braid around the core. Therefore, when making such a connection, the wires do not need to be stripped.
Due to its features, the presented terminal variety is considered reliable and durable. When installing, the master must apply force in order to fix the ends of the conductors well. This is considered the norm. To clamp sometimes you have to use pliers.
The presented type of terminal connectors is made for one-piece and detachable connection types. In the first version, the master must carefully consider all the nuances of organizing the electrical circuit. This process is carried out before installation works.
Mixing different materials
As you know, in modern wiring, two types of conductors are used. The first category includes copper conductors, and the second - aluminum. According to fire safety rules, it is recommended to give preference to the first option. However, in some cases, the master has to combine copper and aluminum conductors.
The cable connector of the normal configuration cannot guarantee high quality at the docking site. There are several reasons for this. With temperature differences, the linear expansion of different metals will not be identical. In this case, a gap may be formed between the directly docked aluminum and copper.
At the same time, resistance increases at the point of contact. Conductors begin to heat up. A film of oxides also appears on the stripped veins. It also contributes to poor contact. This condition of the network provokes various malfunctions and can cause a fire. Therefore, only special types of contactors are suitable for such connections.
Screw terminals
The electrical connector may be a screw type. Such contactors have been used for a long time. This type of terminal has certain disadvantages and advantages. These are compact, easy-to-install devices. They allow you to connect wires of various diameters. Moreover, they can be used for both single-core and multi-core conductors. In the second embodiment, the end of the cable is stripped and crimped with brass lugs.
The disadvantage of this type of connection is the inability of the terminals to connect more than three conductors at the same time. This complicates the work somewhat, forcing to make more connections. Also, over time, such a connector loses its original characteristics. The wires no longer fit snugly together. Therefore, when using a screw connection, you periodically have to tighten the place where the wires join.
For large-diameter wires, compounds known to the people under the name "nut" are used. Such contactors are most often used when connecting wires from the carrier line to the house.
Modern connectors
Many electricians use a male-to-female connector for wires to ensure a solid contact between conductors. This type of connector has been known for a long time. A similar type of connectors is divided into a “male” type with a plug or plug, as well as a “mother” with a socket or socket. Inside one series, such connectors are compatible with each other.
This is one of the most reliable, modern types of contactors. It is not possible to connect the wires incorrectly with such a connection. The pins of the “father” will fully coincide with the internal configuration of the “mother” sockets. In some cases, the color of the connection points is used for accuracy of installation. This allows you to understand which consumer the connector is for, not to confuse them.
On sale are connectors "mother-mother" and "father-father". These are extension cords. Depending on the category, contactors with a socket or plug are used.
Spring runs for dissimilar wires
Connectors for wires of different materials can be spring type. They also contribute to the elimination of direct contact of the cores. They can be detachable or one-piece. One of the best known and most reliable ways to connect copper and aluminum cables is the Wago universal connector. The cross-section of the cores during its use can also be different.
One-piece connectors for wires use the principle of screw terminals. You can also use devices in which the metal plate is replaced by a special conductive rod. It rivets, providing a reliable connection. The exposed cable sections must be additionally insulated.
Having considered what connectors exist for wires, as well as their characteristic differences, everyone will be able to choose the best option for connecting various devices or carrying out repair work.