Electrical testers require a wide range of tools for many different applications, and two of the most popular tools in their kit will be crimping and cutting tools, and while they might sound like a similar type of tool, they are used for very different tasks. Although they are both essential tools to the electrical tester, it is important that their role and characteristics are fully understood, so that safety and efficiency can be prioritised. Here we will look at crimping and cutting tools separately and then explain the key differences between them.
Crimping tools
A crimping tool is used to join two components together to form an electrical bond. This is usually two metal materials, ie. wires or cables, which can be compressed into a connector or a terminal. The crimping tool will deform one or both of the materials and use this pressure to ensure they firmly grip each other. By using a crimping tool the electrician is able to create a good joint for an electrical bond, without having to physically solder the materials together, which is a slower and sometimes less effective method.
The main features of a crimping tool are two jaws which apply a tight fit when closed together, they are usually grooved, which differentiates crimping tools from normal pliers, which could damage the connectors if used. These grooved jaws allow the electrician to join, or ‘crimp’, wires and connectors in electrical panels or in other applications. The crimping tool enables the user to create a high quality and consistent connection, through which electrical current can flow. If this connection was loose or sub-standard, there is the possibility of losing electrical connection and causing an electrical hazard.
Cutting tools
A cutting tool is used to separate two materials using a shearing action, and is commonly used in electrical work for cutting wires, slicing cables and removing insulation from around wires and cables. Cutting tools possess two sharp blades which can slice precisely and effectively through wires of various thicknesses. It is important that a clean cut is achieved to minimise wire or insulation damage and to ensure safety during electrical installation, repair and maintenance work. Cutting tools are also often used to prepare cables and wires by stripping them.
The key difference between crimping tools and cutting tools
Primarily, crimping tools are used to join wires together, while cutting tools are used to separate wires. So the respective uses of crimping tools and cutting tools in electrical testing are polar opposites, in that crimping tools are used to create an electrical bond, while cutting tools are primarily used to remove an electrical bond. Despite this obvious difference, however, there is a similarity between the two types of tool in that they both can be used manually and are both required to carry out their function with precision and accuracy.
You can check out our range of KNIPEX tools at Test Instrument Solutions and choose the crimping and cutting tools you need for your electrical applications.
Please note that this section is for information purposes only. Anyone using equipment referred to in this section must be suitably qualified and/or experienced within the respective field. If in doubt before use, please consult a qualified electrician or engineer & thoroughly read all instruction booklets.