UL trequirements on crimping tools for ring terminals? 1

[USAeng]

We had a ul auditor here last week and he mentioned we should be using the recommended tools on the front of the ring terminal packages for crimping the terminals... problem is we use channellock 909 crimpers and the molex terminals recommends a certain tool on their package and 3m recommends another tool on their package... we are a small company and I'd rather not buy more tooling if I dont have to... has anyone dealt with this before?

 

[dpc]

Basically, if you don't follow manufacturer's recommended installation methods, you are not in compliance with UL.

Standardize on one vendor as much as possible to reduce the tools required, but basically, UL is UL - they invent the rules, then they get to interpret them. If this is related to field wiring, then it is up to the local inspector, not UL. If you are a manufacturer, I'd just pony up for the extra crimpers.



David Castor

http://www.cvoes.com

 

[mcgyvr]

Correct. If you use the tool that is listed with that terminal then you are fine.. If not, you are not in compliance. However, UL actually allows (for some standards) a second method of securement in addition to an improper crimp tool. Heat shrink tubing is acceptable (so we were told) but is tough to find the correct shrink ratio that will grab the wire and fit around the insulation/barrel of the wire.

We are in the same boat.. We had to pony up to buy the correct tooling. Luckily we were able to switch to one manufacturer and only had to purchase one crimper and a few different heads and that covers every typical terminal (Q.C./Ring/Fork/insulated/non-insulated,etc..).
Your best bet is to find a dealer of used tooling (or ebay,etc...)and switch to one manufacturer as it will save you quite a bit. Crimp guns aren't cheap either.. Manual tools are typically $150-300 and some pneumatics are $2,000 or more. Then you've got applicators and their associated dies for larger volumes.. Crimpin' ain't cheap..

 

[itsmoked]

What the guy wants to see is not 'name brand' but tools that guarantee a proper crimp. The tools you are using are totally dependent on the user. Does he feel good today? Is his grip weak? Has he done a hundred already? Is he paying attention? All this goes into every crimp you're making right now. The result is not guaranteed and an inspector will not like it.

What he wants to see is a tool like this:

http://www.paladin-tools.com/view_tool.php?id=139

These tools are compound levers. They can put far more into a crimp than the one you mention. They are ratcheting crimpers too. Once a crimp is started you can stop, start, go to lunch, come back and pick up mid-crimp and the crimp will be correct. They don't release until the full cycle has completed. Get that type. You have no business using 'dependent' types. The one above is about $30. Paladin sells many kinds, all at a good value. Most have changeable dies for various crimps.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[mcgyvr]

Actually itsmoked. that is not correct. To ensure proper UL compliance you MUST use a crimping tool that is listed for use with that specific terminal.

Yes a "controlled cycle" crimping tool is excellent and should be the only kind used in a production environment. But if your crimping tool is not listed in the UL file for that specific terminal, you are not in compliance. The tool you listed is no different from using a pair of pliers as far as this question of UL compliance is concerned.

 

[mcgyvr]

I should have stated that a little different. You may use other brands of tooling BUT they MUST hold a UL listing for use on the brand and model of terminal you are using. So you can use a Molex crimp tool on a Panduit terminal ONLY if that Molex tool holds a listing stating that it has been approved for use on Panduit series xxx or whatever

 

[LionelHutz]

Yes, the tools basically must be UL listed for the terminals you are using. It doesn't necessarily need to be the terminal manufacturers tooling. Most quality tools have a table listing a number of different terminals they work with.

It's really not worth cutting costs on the tooling. Panduit makes excellent controlled cycle crimping tools. They are the nicest hand tool of this type I've ever seen or used and they will last for a very long time. I'm not sure of listings for any other manufacturer parts since we also use Panduit terminals.