Common readers will know that I like the Wago lever nuts for making stable, dependable connections in home mains voltage wiring. However one other connector I discover myself utilizing so much is the jelly crimp. The truth is, I used some as we speak to repair some damaged wires in a doorbell.
Jelly crimps are the mainstay of telecom installations and restore (at the least right here within the U.Okay.). I used to be launched to them a few years in the past by an engineer who gave me a handful of them, and ever since I have been hooked.
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These connectors come beneath a number of totally different names, however jelly crimps is what they’re greatest referred to as.
The “jelly” bit within the title comes from the truth that the ends are filled with a dielectric silicone sealant that each provides additional insulation and in addition makes the connection weatherproof.
They arrive in two-way (known as UY) or three-way configurations (known as UR), relying on whether or not you wish to join two or three wires collectively, they usually have been particularly designed for becoming a member of stable core copper or aluminum phone and communications wires.
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Together with the UY and UR configuration variations, there’s additionally totally different sizes relying on the outer diameter of the wire you are going to be connecting utilizing the jelly crimp. Common UR and UY are for thinner 22-26 awg wires with an insulation outer diameter of 1.52mm, whereas the UY2 and UR2 sizes accommodates the thicker 19-26 awg wires with a most insulation outer diameter of two.08mm.
A UY2 jelly crimp that is oozing a little bit of the silicone gel onto my fingers Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
You will discover a number of totally different manufacturers on the market, and they are often hit or miss, and I’ve seen low cost ones crumble or not include any gel. I’ve a supply within the telecom enterprise that retains me equipped, however in the event you’re having to purchase them on-line, I like to recommend going for the 3M Scotchlok model.
I discover the two-way ones to be essentially the most helpful, with a 100 pack of UY and a 100-pack of UY2 being sufficient to cater for my wants.
The crimp is crammed with a non-conductive jelly that waterproofs the joint Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
They’re useless simple to make use of.
You chop the cable, poke the ends in all the way in which (no have to strip the insulation), and squeeze the button to snap them down and chunk via the cable.
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That simple!
Their main use is on phone wiring, however I’ve additionally used them on alarm programs, doorbells, audio system, and different low-voltage functions. These connectors can deal with as much as 50V, so do not use them on mains voltage in case somebody — probably you — dies.
Jelly crimps are nice for low voltage functions, right here carrying 12V to a fan Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The connections are extremely dependable, and so long as they are not submerged in water, they may final for many years (and even submerged ones have an extended life, in my expertise).
Squeezing a jelly crimp with a Knipex waterpump pliers Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
There’s a particular instrument for doing the squeezing which you can choose up for $15. In the event you crimp so much then this may make sense, however I discover I can use my finger and thumb, or a pair of Knipex mini waterpump pliers to do the job.
A totally crimped jelly crimp Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Did I point out that they’re extremely satisfying to “pop”?
