I was reading some reviews about a crimping tool on Amazon when I came across this statement:

"Being an Industrial Electrician, this is a tool that I need quite often, since I am one who likes to ferrule and ring the ends of 98% of the wires I terminate. "

I have wired countless trucks and trailers far more intensely than most would ever do and I have never before came across those terms in regards to crimping terminals to wires; "ferrule and ring the ends"

It sounds like something people should be doing; yet, I have no idea what he is talking about.

Can anyone shed some light on this ?

 

as a 60 year auto dealer tech, decades back we started getting told to crimp not solder connections as the solder made issues with wire strength causing flex breaks near the point of repair, now we are getting more types of crimpers thrown at us, the new ones are heavy n cumbersome, IMMO!! the old way always worked ,

 

... hmmph ...

First time I have heard of it also, but I have been out of the industry for quite a while -

https://pliersman.com/how-to-crimp-w...-your-project/

 

Well, I did a bit of YouTube research and found a gazillion videos showing ferrules used to keep all the strands captured within a hollow tube so there are no loose strands; and, in every case, these guys are then inserting only the ferruled end into some sort of screw-clamping receptacle.

I can see where ferrules in such a situation would be superior.

However, the guy who made the above statement is reviewing an open-barrel crimper; and, the way I take it, he is meaning that he puts on a ferrule and then crimps whatever terminal on the ferruled end.

And then, there is the "ring" ; what ring; I can find no reference anywhere to "ferrule and ringing" a wire end, let alone then crimping on a terminal.

I did so far learn what a ferrule looks like, both un-crimped and then properly crimped on the wire end.

That guy needs to make a video describing just what and how.

 

While the internet is a fantastic resource for information (and dis-information). You can get to a point of info-overload. When I encounter something like this, that seems legit but also seems over-the-top, I end up disregarding what I just read/found. As the new saying goes; 'You do you". Go with tried and true methods based on your accumulated knowledge. Be open to new thoughts/ideas/processes but don't second guess everything you've ever done just because someone on the internet has a different reality.

In this case if soldering wires has worked for you, go with that. I like crimp connectors with shrink tube. I also use liquid electrical tape. Have I used Scotch-Loks in the past? Yep. Do I today? Nope. There are other methods out there but I know that if I continue with what has worked for me, I'm fine. Until something superior comes along that I've tested and comfortable with, I'm sticking with what I know works.

 

Well said and I am not changing horses in the middle of the creek unless I am getting a better horse.

However, I would like to know and see just what the guy was meaning as I have never before heard of the process.

As for "suitcase" connectors, I still get them, some pretty sorry examples of an already sorry connector at it's best, included with various electrical things I might get.

I hate the things; yet, I keep and hoard them as if I might need them tomorrow.

When they first came out, all the gooseneck trailer manufacturers adopted them; that right there was enough to teach even the dumbest electrical genius to avoid them.

Many times, I have backed under a trailer, plugged in the big cord, turned ON the trailer lights, and then go around grabbing and shaking wires until all the many suitcase connectors decided to make connection.

Following one in the darkness was worse than pulling one; whole strings of lights or just one individual light constantly coming and going..

I did find, have, and sometimes use a much superior version of the suitcase connector.

Years ago, one of the local telephone company guys was here doing something to the phones.

He was using these little clear plastic wire connectors that had those same wire penetrators found in suitcase connectors; the whole thing packed with a clear jelly; and, a big round red button.

You poke the un-stripped ends of your wires as far as they will go in the thing; and, using flat-jawed pliers, squish the red button until it won't squish any farther, and the clear jelly oozes out the end.

I was commenting on and admiring them; and, when he was ready to leave, he handed me a great big box full of them.

 

GIGGLE the procedure and you will get a plethora (Fr.) of information.

Either you keep up with CURRENT TECH or you don't.

 

I can tell you I am not stick more crimp term. and a tool in my electrical box.
What I have has worked great over all the years I have used them and that is on a lot of trailers too.
Dave ----

 

Please show me this vast plethora of information on "ringing" terminal crimps.

I am obviously doing something wrong in my searching as all I get is thousands of pages about ring terminals.

There is a ton of information on the simple use of ferrules; none of which make any mention of ringing; plus, all the information on using ferrules is for a single purpose = to insert the wire end into a screw-clamping socket --- nothing whatsoever about using a ferrule and ring as part of an open barrel crimp.

When I read the guy's statement, I thought he might be doing something that would prove useful to know; he may have just been rocking the boat.

 

GIGGLE - automotive ferrule and ring electrical connections