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Short Overview of LV Cable Terminations

by Edvard

LV Cab le te rminatio ns - Sho rt O ve rvie w

termination is the electrical and physical connection of a cable end to a piece of equipment or another cable. A spliceis the electrical connectionof a cable end to another cable with the same cable number. Cable terminations (splices) are designed and installed to interconnect two cable ends both electricallyand physically. T he physical requirements relate to mechanical security and environmental protection of the connection; the electrical requirements relate to current carrying capacity, connection voltage drop and compatibility of materials (e.g., thermocouple extension wire connections must join like conductor materials). Soldered connections, wire-wrapping connections, crimp connections, compression terminations, and loop or eye connections are the most common types of terminations used.

In a soldered connection, the like conductorsof the cables are soldered together or into connectors to f orm a physically secure, low-resistance termination. Various solder lugs are available, ranging f rom a post with a round hole through which wireis passed to acupped solder terminal. Solder terminations are inf requently used except when circular military type connectors are used. Wire-wrapping connectionsare connections in which the uninsulated solid conductor is wrapped with signif icant f orce about a rectangular metal post f or several turns. T he wrap is suf f iciently tight to def orm the post to result in a physically and electrically secure connection. T his termination is seldom f ound f or general application, but is of ten f ound internal to instrumentation and control equipment such as computers and multiplex panels.

Co rre c tly s o ld e ring e le c tric al c o nne c tio n to an e le c tric al wire .

T his termination method is also popular f or telephone circuit distribution boxes in which many small conductor (typically to 19 AWG or smaller ) wires are terminated. Crimp connections are connections using terminals having tubular openings into which the cable conductors are placed. T he tube is then mechanically pressed or def ormed to tighten it onto the conductor and f orm a connection. T he crimping is perf ormed typically by a crimping tool specially designed f or the termination. For nuclear saf ety-related circuits, the crimping tools are calibrated and are generally used under quality control supervision to ensure proper connections. Crimp connections are commonly available in butt splice, ring lug, and spade lug f ormats. Crimp connections are available in a wide variety of sizes and may be f ound in instrument, control, and power circuits. Compression terminationsare terminations in which the uninsulated conductor is inserted into a box and the connection is then Hand c rimp ing to o l fo r ins ulate d an unins ulate d te rminals and s p lic e s in wire s iz e s No . 22 to No . 10 AWG . It has a te rminal lo c ato r to p o s itio n ins ulate d te rminals d uring c rimp ing and an inmade with a screw, a f lat no s e c utte r fo r tig ht lo c atio ns . This to o l is a wire s trip p e r and has a b uilt-in he avy d uty b o lt strap, or other such c utte r. mechanism that compresses the conductor and f orms the connection. Low-voltage circuit breakers use this type of connection.

Loop or eye connection at screw terminals is the wrapping of an uninsulated conductor under the head of a screw and around its shank. T his connection is inexpensive and is used where the connection would be inf requently disconnected. T he conductor loop is made in the direction of screw tightening.

The Practical Skills Series Cable Termination (VIDEO)

Cant see this video? Click hereto watch it on Youtube. Resource:Power Plant Practices to Ensure Cable Operability Electric Power Research Institute