Cable lugs and ferrules are connecting devices used primarily for terminating and joining cable and wire conductors in electrical installations and equipment. In general, lugs and ferrules are fixed to the cables and wires by inserting the conductors into the “barrel” (tube) of the device and then “crimping” (squeezing) the “barrel” onto the conductors to form a secure mechanical and electrical joint. The devices are manufactured in a number of different designs and made from high conductivity copper (tin plated) or aluminium to suit various cable and wire types and specific installation requirements. Careful consideration must be given to selecting the right product for an application and the following information will assist in making the correct choice.
Options
The main options available are
1- Standard duty copper lugs and ferrules for use with copper cables and wires in general industrial, commercial and domestic applications.
2- Heavy duty copper lugs and ferrules for use with copper cables and wires in specialised applications such as medium and high voltage electrical reticulation systems.
3- Aluminium lugs and ferrules for use with aluminium cables in electrical reticulation systems.
4- Copper and Aluminium shear lugs for applications wherecrimping equipment cannot be used.
5- Bi-metal lugs for mating copper and aluminium conductors to prevent dissimilar metal corrosion.
Applications
The main areas of application include:
1- The termination of cables and wires in electrical reticulation systems and equipment.
2- The joining of cables and wires in electrical reticulation systems and equipment.
Selection criteria
When choosing a cable lug or ferrule for an application the following criteria must be considered:
1- Metal type of the conductor i.e. copper or aluminium.
2- Cross-sectional area of the conductor/s to be terminated or joined.
3- Form of the conductor i.e. solid, stranded, compacted or multistranded (trailing/welding cable).
4- The size of the securing bolt or stud.
5- Product range available, quality and performance approvals.
Always select a supplier with the following approvals:
1- SABS NETFA approval in accordance with test specification SABS IEC 61238-1:1993 “Compression & mechanical connectors for power cables with copper or aluminium conductors”.
2- SABS Electrical Regulatory Body (RCC) approval.
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