How to connect wires without soldering: the best ways and their features + installation recommendations

Home electrical network is a complex system of wiring products and devices connected by electric current conductors. In electrical panels, junction boxes and device cases, wires are connected.

We will consider how to connect wires without soldering using special clamps and terminals so that the switching is as reliable as possible and meets the safety requirements. Why give 4 detailed instructions with the best ways to connect wires.

We will also supplement our material with useful installation tips from experienced electricians.

Briefly about possible switching options

Electricians use various methods of connecting conductors - from the simplest isolated twisting to crimping with special sleeves.

Some procedures require additional supplies and special tools, others are performed manually.

The question of choosing the most reliable connection methods became relevant when the load on the home network increased - a lot of powerful devices appeared, respectively, the requirements for the use of conductors and electrical installations were tightened.

Wire connection points are the most vulnerable points in the circuit. If the contacts are connected incorrectly, overheating and arcing occurs over time, the wires can melt, flare up and cause harm to people and property.

Factors affecting the choice of method:

• total cross section of conductors;
• type and method of cable insulation;
• material of which the wires are made;
• purpose of the switching node;
• external connection conditions;
• degree of mobility of the compound, etc.

The on-site installer determines how he will make the switch, taking into account the above factors. Much depends on his skills in using a special tool (soldering iron, welding machinecrimping pliers) and materials at hand.

However, professionals always have an installation kit with them and use the methods recommended by the GOST and PUE standards.

Today you can come across a variety of wire connection options:

According to PUE 2.1.21, simple twisting should in principle not be used for switching. Only welding, soldering, crimping and various types of clamping devices.

To carry out soldering or welding, special equipment is not always at hand, especially if the job is performed by an amateur. Therefore, it is advisable to consider methods that are both reliable and affordable.

Safe and effective connections

Consider 4 options for connecting conductors suitable for home installation: spring terminal blocks, terminal blocks, PPE caps and crimping with sleeves.

To perform the work, consumables are required - terminals, clamps, sleeves, selected depending on the type and cross-section of the conductors. We recommend that you purchase products only from trusted manufacturers, and not cheap Chinese substitutes.

Method # 1 - WAGO terminal block switching

The main advantage of terminal switching is 100% connection reliability. Thanks to the development of the company Wago screwless connections have received international standard status.

Now other manufacturers are engaged in the production of spring clips. They are used in high-speed cars, airplanes, mobile chains - that is, where special responsibility is required.

Spring technology allows you to connect various types of conductors: 1-core, multi-core, especially thin. This is in demand in everyday life when it is necessary to connect a lamp or gate control system, pumping equipment or a telephone

To install the self-clamping terminals, it is enough to strip the ends and insert them into the holes of the terminal block as far as they will go - the number of conductors can be different, according to the number of holes.The locking mechanism is activated, and the cores remain firmly fixed inside the housing

To install the terminal block, you do not need to specially prepare. Experienced installers who value quality have also been using only self-locking terminals for a long time.

We offer step-by-step instructions for connecting 2 conductors with a clamp of the 222 series, whose representatives are successfully used to connect branches of various types of wires:

After the correct execution of the actions, spontaneous opening of the terminal is impossible. The advantage of such a connection is the ability to disconnect. To open the conductors, you must first click on the movable mechanism, and then remove the corresponding conductor.

Terminal Connection Benefits:

• connection of single and multicore conductors made of copper or aluminum, as well as mixed connections;
• high quality connection;
• during installation, the wires are not damaged;
• the design provides for the removal of circuit parameters without disconnection;
• neatness and order in the places of work - distribution boxes, panels, wiring devices.

This method saves time - it only takes a few seconds. However, it requires accuracy. If the ends are not fully inserted, overheating may occur and the terminal block body will melt.

The main disadvantage is the high cost, especially branded products. For example, a set of 20 three-wire universal Vago terminal blocks costs about 500 rubles.

More information on Vago terminals in the following video:

Method # 2 - using terminal blocks

Inexpensive plastic products have a clamping mechanism with which the conductors are fixed and connected inside the case. Each single or stranded wire is removed from insulation, inserted into a separate socket and secured by tightening the screw.

For installation work you will need two tools - a construction knife and a screwdriver. Instead of a knife, you can use a special modern device for removing the insulating layer - a stripper

Using stripping strippers allows even a novice to cope with this task without much difficulty.

Wires can be wound in two ways - on one side and on both sides, towards each other. This method is often used for desoldering in junction boxes, so manufacturers began to produce switch boxes with built-in pads.

Terminal blocks differ in the size of the holes, which depends on the cross section of the cores, as well as the number of sockets. If at hand a box of 12 pairs, and only 2 is needed, then the desired segment is simply cut with a knife

Advantages of connecting with pads:

• profitability;
• quick installation;
• aluminum / copper compound;
• high quality.

The main disadvantage is that with one pair of blocks you can connect only 2 occasions. Experienced installers do not recommend using the block method for connecting stranded or aluminum wires, since a screw connection can destroy a more fragile material.

And one more minus - a large number of low-quality pads.

For a better understanding of this method of switching wires, we recommend that you look at what the terminal boxes are good or bad for:

Method # 3 - use of PPE caps

For the manufacture of spring clamps, caps use non-combustible plastic. The body material is an insulator suitable for mechanical and fire parameters.

To install the cap, it is necessary to prepare the cores, insert them inside, and then with an effort to make twisting movements. To protect the exposed parts of the cores from oxidation, the inside of the cap is treated with paste.

Inside the cap there is a metal spring of a conical shape, which moves apart under pressure, then contracts and fixes the conductive wires

The caps are compact, have a simple device, so they are often used for desoldering. One distribution box includes up to a dozen products.

A practical example of the use of PPE for desoldering in a distribution box:

After the work on connecting the cores is completed, carefully place the caps in a circle and close the distributor box cover. At any time, you can unscrew the spring elements and reconnect or repair.

Advantages of PPE:

• low cost;
• material - non-combustible polymer;
• high speed and ease of installation;
• variety of coloring.

The last item may come in handy when using old, unlabeled wiring. You can determine the purpose of the cores with the help of caps, picking them by color. In more detail about color marking of wires we spoke in this article.

The main disadvantage is that the connection is considered unreliable. The spring force is not enough to ensure a strong connection, which is why additional twisting is performed.

Before use, it is recommended to check the quality of the products.

And further - PPE is not intended for switching aluminum / copper wires.

Method # 4 - crimping conductors with sleeves

This method is chosen by installers who really care about the quality of the connection. Crimping with a special tool guarantees an increase in contact area and minimal resistance.

If you cut the crimped sleeve in half, then you can see that all the wires almost merged into one monolith.

It is crimping that is used for communications in distribution boxes, which for some reason will be masked outside with a cladding and will remain without free access

Cores can be started both on the one hand, and on both. In any case, their total cross-section should not be larger than the diameter of the sleeve.

In practice, more often choose a larger sleeve, and the free space inside it is “clogged” with pieces of wiring. The denser the sleeve is filled, the better the connection.

Step-by-step crimping instructions:

If there is a shortage of space in the box and compactness comes to the first place, before crimping, the sleeve is cut in half and crimped only once. But this should be considered as an exception.

This method is considered inexpensive - each sleeve (copper) costs 8-9 rubles, and ticks can be rented.

The benefits of crimping:

• excellent connection quality;
• profitability;
• high speed of work.

The disadvantage is that the connection is one-piece, and if necessary, you will have to completely replace the switching blocks. If there is a supply of wires in the box, the old sleeve is cut off and a new one is installed.

The downside is that without a special tool, it will not be possible to perform high-quality crimping.

Tips from experienced installers

There are many controversial issues both in connection methods and in the application of individual mounting products. But a number of rules apply to absolutely all masters who are involved in electrical installation.

For instance, It is strictly forbidden to twist aluminum conductors with copper. The process of rapid oxidation leads to the destruction of switching and the emergence of a dangerous point, which at any time can spark or flare up.

Some more important rules:

If the conductor is coated with an oxide film, it must be carefully removed with either contact paste or fine sandpaper. The diameters of sleeves, tips, caps, it is better to choose the size.

When using electrical tape, overlap the coils. One layer is not enough, it is better to walk along the connection 2-3 times, be sure to make the last turn on insulation

Single conductors in screw terminals are loose. Therefore, it is recommended to bend the stripped end in half or make an arbitrary loop out of it.

At the end of work, be sure to check the reliability of the connections - slightly twitch the wires. It happens that the switching is unsuccessful, and the core simply slides out of the terminal block.

If the volume of the distribution box allows, for example, the shields contain many wires and devices, then leave the cable with a margin. Sometimes switching is required and an extra length comes in handy if the connections are one-piece or burnt.

We also have other articles on the site on connectors of conductors, methods of connecting wires of different sections and recommendations for choosing the best connector:

• Methods of connecting electrical wires: types of connections + technical nuances
• Terminals for connecting wires: which terminal blocks are better and how to work with them
• Wire connectors: the best types of connectors + what to look at when choosing a connector

Conclusions and useful video on the topic:

Comparative analysis of various switching methods:

As you can see, equipping the electrical wiring, you can completely do without soldering and welding.

There are enough modern devices on the market to ensure the switching of conductors using safe and effective technologies. The choice of the method depends on personal preferences and material capabilities..

Choose a safe way to connect electrical wires without soldering, but you still have questions that we did not touch on in our article? Feel free to ask your questions to our experts in the comments section.

If you have extensive experience in performing electrical work, in particular, connecting conductors without the use of soldering and welding tools, please leave useful recommendations for beginners and additions to our material below under the article.