Making a connection 1

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In order for your system to control devices, you must be able to connect it to those devices.

Besides different sizes based on wire size, there are a few different styles of connectors that can be used.  There are also weather-resistant terminals that can be used if needed.

Ring

(Parks, 16)

- used for circuits that you don’t want to become easily disconnected

- ground wire attached to a stud

Push-On

- can be used on relay terminals

(Parks, 18)

- could be used to attach two wires together

(Candela, 45)

- use white lithium grease in connector to maintain good connection

Bullet

(Parks, 16)

- used to connect two wires end to end, but allow for disconnecting

Butt

(Parks, 16)

- used to join two wires end to end

Fork

(Parks, 16)

- allow for easy removal of a wire from a terminal strip

Alligator Clips

- used for temporary connections

- allow for attaching a test lead to a point

Once you have found a suitable terminal, there are a couple of ways to attach it to the wire.

Solder

- if you are also going to crimp the connector, crimp first, then solder

- take care to not melt the wire insulation

- larger terminals, like 2 gauge, may be soldered

Caution:If you are using a butane soldering iron, remember that open flames can react spectacularly with certain objects and invisible gases.

You will want to tailor the size of the soldering iron to the size of the terminal.

Crimp

(Parks, 16)

- after crimping, you should tug on the wire and connector to make sure it is not loose

(Candela, 43)

- Inexpensive connectors have seams.You must take care that the seam doesn’t open up when it is crimped.

(Candela, 46-47)

- strip ¼” of insulation from wire

- twist stripped end clockwise to align strands

- push terminal on so 1/16” wire sticks out

- orient tool so that stake is opposite of seam

- squeeze tool to make crimp

Wire cutters come in various shapes and sizes.Shown at left are cable cutters which are needed to make clean cuts in larger wires, and also to provide enough leverage to cut them.Middle and top right are side cutter pliers, which are useful for cutting smaller wire.Bottom right are flush cutters, which are useful for trimming wires close to a circuit board.

Wire strippers remove the insulation from the wire without nicking or damaging the conductor.Using a knife can score the copper conductor and weaken it.

Crimping tools come in sizes relative to the terminal.Top left are useful for RS-232 ends.The two to the right are used for 10-20 gauge terminals.The pair at the bottom are used for up to 0 gauge wire.There are also hydraulic and hammer operated crimpers for the large terminals.  They are needed for large gauge wire used to connect automotive-type batteries to power the system.

Generally used color coding for insulated terminals

Red:18 to 22

Blue:14 to 16

Yellow 10-12

(This color coding is not absolute, and larger connectors may also use these colors.)

Works Cited

Candela, Tony. Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems. CarTech, 2009.

Martin, Tracy. Electrical Systems Diagnosis and Repair. National Street Machine Club, 2008.

Parks, Dennis W.Automotive Wiring – A Practical Guide to Wiring Your Hot Rod or Custom Car.Motorbooks, 2011.

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