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Powered crimping tool equivalent to COPALUM tool Harry Muscle 08-10-2005
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Posted by Harry Muscle on August 10, 2005, 10:45 am


Thanks to everyone who's responded to my last question about aluminum
wiring. I thought I'd investigate the option of using a hydrolic
pressing or crimping tool to add copper pigtails onto the aluminum
wires. Apparently that's how aluminum wire connections are made by the
utility companies.

I know there's a tool available and certified for residental wiring,
called COPALUM, unfortunately the company who offers this tool has very
strict rules and regulations, etc. regarding who can use it, etc. ...
making it quite expensive to actually use, not to mention that no one
in Canada is actually certified at the moment to use this tool.

However, electrical utilities obvioulsy have tools that they use also
for such things. Hence I'm wondering if anyone could help me dig up
some information on other powered crimping tools that can be used to
attach copper to aluminum wire.

Thanks,
Harry



Posted by Duane Bozarth on August 10, 2005, 12:46 pm


Harry Muscle wrote:
>

> ...using a hydrolic pressing or crimping tool ...

That would be "hydraulic"...

I've notice this pretty consistently and it grates on my eyes... :)

For ordinary household wiring don't think you'll find anything that
would be practical.

I think what you've found is that the perceived potential liability has
essentially prevented the introduction of anything for consumer/end user
use. Don't foresee this changing.


Posted by Harry Muscle on August 10, 2005, 10:52 am


Sorry about the spelling. I thought the word looked a little off ...
should have run spell check I guess :)

Thanks,
Harry



Posted by PipeDown on August 10, 2005, 6:06 pm


There are many crimping tools designed for wiring (not necessarily house
wiring but any) that will work with #12 wire no problem. I have also seen
copper sleeves (Ferrules?) for use in crimping wire in the electrical
section at HD and other hardware stores.

Hydrolic is probably overkill if you are doing only one house (maybe if you
are thinking about going into business but....) A simple mechanical
ratcheting crimping tool will work fine. The cheaper one that come with the
connector kits will not be able to give you enough mechanical advantage and
the crimp is too narrow. There are many brands and can be found in the
electrical tools section of almost any hardware store probably right next to
the copper sleeves.




> Harry Muscle wrote:
>>
>
>> ...using a hydrolic pressing or crimping tool ...
>
> That would be "hydraulic"...
>
> I've notice this pretty consistently and it grates on my eyes... :)
>
> For ordinary household wiring don't think you'll find anything that
> would be practical.
>
> I think what you've found is that the perceived potential liability has
> essentially prevented the introduction of anything for consumer/end user
> use. Don't foresee this changing.




Posted by zxcvbob on August 10, 2005, 1:12 pm


PipeDown wrote:
> There are many crimping tools designed for wiring (not necessarily house
> wiring but any) that will work with #12 wire no problem. I have also seen
> copper sleeves (Ferrules?) for use in crimping wire in the electrical
> section at HD and other hardware stores.
>
> Hydrolic is probably overkill if you are doing only one house (maybe if you
> are thinking about going into business but....) A simple mechanical
> ratcheting crimping tool will work fine. The cheaper one that come with the
> connector kits will not be able to give you enough mechanical advantage and
> the crimp is too narrow. There are many brands and can be found in the
> electrical tools section of almost any hardware store probably right next to
> the copper sleeves.
>


You could make a perfectly good crimper out of a cheap pair of bolt
cutters by drilling or grinding the right sized hole in the blades.

The bigger problem is finding crimp sleeves that are appropriate for
joining copper and aluminum. Tin plated might be compatible with both
metals, I'm not sure.

Bob


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