Electric connectors: brief description

When laying or repairing the power grid, the connection of the wires is inevitable. Electrical connectors are used in devices, radio electronic equipment, computer, engineering, aviation and other equipment. From the quality of the connection depends not only the work of the technology itself, but also the safety of people.

Circuit

There are several popular ways of connecting electrical circuits:

1. Twisting. This is the simplest and most common option. Two wires (about 5 cm) are stripped and twisted. Insulation is PVC tape or special caps for twisting. In no case can twisting be used when connecting strands of dissimilar metals.

2. Soldering. Usually used in devices. A labor-intensive method is gradually replaced by special connectors. Electrical circuits are assembled using miniature devices.

3. Terminal. It is an insulating plate with contacts. It allows you to connect aluminum wires with copper. Applied in the case of joining single-stranded and stranded wires of different cross-sections. They can be detachable and one-piece. The latter require detailed planning of the power grid.

There are three types of terminals:

• With a tightening screw, a disadvantage - the possibility of damage to the veins;
• Spring (with a clamping plate), the market offers a wide range of models;
• Knife, for their use does not need stripping the wires, contact is carried out through the conductor plate, cutting the braid wires.

4. "Nut" (branching squeeze). It is a construction of 3 metal plates, equipped with screws and built into the insulating box. Applied to connect the wire to the trunk line without breaking it.

5. Bolt. A very effective way to connect the most common washers, bolts and nuts. Simple, cheap and reliable.

6. Crimping by sleeves. It is more reliable than electrical tape, but it requires special equipment and work skills.

In many industries, specially designed products are used. In addition to the above options, the industry offers rectangular and cylindrical connectors for cutting, threaded and bayonet joints. The Russian Urals plant of electrical connectors "Iset" provides its products with several directions:

• railway transport;
• shipbuilding;
• Motor industry;
• All kinds of aircraft and other aircraft, up to space;
• Computer Engineering;
• Oil and gas industry.

Special tools greatly facilitate the work of electricians and significantly save installation time.

Advantages and disadvantages

A variety of options allows you to choose connectors for electrical wires for specific parameters. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages:

• Twisting does not differ reliability, stability and strength;
• Caps (connecting insulating clips, or PPE) require careful selection depending on the diameter of the cores, mains voltage and other;
• Screw terminals are able to connect no more than three wires, the screws are prone to spillage and need periodic pulling;
• All-in-one knife terminals can not be altered;
• "Nuts" are difficult to install, an amateur with an inadvertent operation can get an electric shock.

Equipment

Electrical connectors, or connectors for use in electromechanical devices, consist of a plug and a socket. It is customary to classify the product according to its purpose: the receiving side with pins is called "dad", "mother" is a power source that looks like an aperture containing contact plates.

Recently, USB connectors have become increasingly popular, the same on both sides. Contact areas can be of different configurations and differ:

• By the number of contacts;
• The limiting value of the voltage;
• Contact resistance and pressure;
• Electric strength;
• Overall dimensions;
• Range of operating frequencies;
• Possible mechanical and climatic conditions of use.

Selection

To ensure that the electrical connectors reliably and for a long time fulfill the function assigned to them, you must carefully consider their choice. First of all, consider the following factors:

• Material veins (homogeneous or not);
• Environmental conditions (room, street, water, land, etc.);
• Number of wires to be connected;
• Cross-section of cores (different or equal);
• Operating conditions (operating time and frequency of switching on).

Primary requirements:

• Ensuring a reliable contact;
• Mechanical strength;
• People's safety.