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Solder Vs. Crimping: When Ferrules Become Your Best Friend
When it comes to electrical connecting, two techniques come to mind: soldering and crimping. But what about ferrules, and when should you use them? In this blog post, we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of soldering and crimping, and see how ferrules can be your best friend for ensuring a secure and reliable connection.
Soldering - The Classic Connection
Soldering creates a permanent joint by melting metal to fuse wire. Its a versatile technique, perfect for permanent connections on circuit boards or when space is limited. Although soldering is considered a classic connection, it has its downsides:
- Heat Damage: Improper soldering can overheat wires, damaging their integrity.
- Skill Require: A steady hand and good technique are essential for a reliable solder joint.
- Rework Difficulty: De-soldering a joint for rework can be challenging.
Crimping - The Quick and Easy Option
Crimping uses a specialized tool to compress a metal connector (ferrule) onto the wire strands. It's fast, easy to learn, and creates a gas-tight connection ideal for high-vibration environments. But crimping also has limitations:
- The Right Tool: A quality crimping tool designed for the specific ferrule type is crucial.
- Inspection Needed: A bad crimp can be hard to detect visually, so inspecting connections is essential.
Ferrules: The Best of Both Worlds
Ferrules are small metal tubes crimped onto the end of stranded wire. They offer several advantages:- Strength and Reliability: A properly crimped ferrule creates a secure connection that resists vibration and corrosion.
- Easy to Use: No soldering skills needed! Just match the ferrule size to your wire gauge and use the right crimping tool.
- Reworkable: A ferrule can be re-crimped if needed, without damaging the wire itself.
- Protects Stranded Wire: Ferrules prevent individual strands from splaying, which can lead to weak connections and shorts.
When to Use Ferrules
Here are some situations where ferrules shine:
- Terminating Stranded Wire in Screw Terminals: Ferrules provide a larger surface area for the screw to grip, ensuring a secure connection.
- Making Connections on Circuit Boards: Ferrules stiffen stranded wire, making it easier to insert into PCB holes.
- Any Application with Vibration or Movement: The secure grip of a ferrule prevents wires from loosening due to movement.
Shopping for Ferrules
By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of soldering and crimping, and by incorporating ferrules into your toolbox, you can create secure and reliable electrical connections for any project.
Ferrules come in various sizes to match different wire gauges. Here at Ferrules Direct, we specialize in UL wire ferrules in carious sizes, materials and configurations to meet your specific needs.
Have questions? Contact us and our experts are here to help!