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Powered crimping tool equivalent to COPALUM tool

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Powered crimping tool equivalent to COPALUM tool Harry Muscle 08-10-2005
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Posted by daestrom on August 11, 2005, 9:16 pm



> Apparently the COPALUM tool I mentioned in the original post does in
> fact create a cold weld to the aluminum and copper. Which means the
> equivalent tool I'm trying to find would also have to be able to create
> enough pressure to do the same ... am I correct in assuming that that
> rules out hand operated crimping tools and only leaves powered ones?
>

Small lugs and connector pin crimping tools, such as those by AMP and
Amphenol for signal cables (e.g. 18 AWG and smaller) also create 'coldweld'
crimps, using just hand tools. But for anything larger such as 12AWG and
larger, I think you'd pretty much have to use something with a lot of
mechanical advantage such as hydraulic.

daestrom




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Posted by on August 16, 2005, 2:07 pm


the bottom line is that for the type of aluminum wire that is a
problem, there is no real good solution. the tool is indeed never sold
(only rented) and only rented to electricians and then only after you
take a class and get certified to use the tool (and probably sign a
bazillion waivers).

there are some wire nuts available that have some antioxidant compound
in them but purportedly they are not a good solution either.

since you mention canada, i gather you are there and there are no
certfiied users there anymore. that should tell you a lot.

the aluminum wires now in use are a different alloy than the small
gauge wiring that caused some fires a few years back, so the tool used
for that particular wiring is probably not appropriate for what you
want to use it for. utilities do not use small gauge wire in any case.



Posted by Steven on August 16, 2005, 8:14 pm


I didn't see your previous post, but if you are joining two dissimilar
metals, be sure to use a joint compound to prevent moisture from touching
the connection. If you were to join copper to aluminum with no means of
preventing moisture from bridging the joint, corrosion loss will occur over
time. This is the accelerated corrosion (loss) of the least noble metal
(anode) while protecting the more noble (cathode) metal. Copper, in this
example, is the more noble metal.

The aluminum will pit to the copper leaving less surface area for contact.
The connection could be become loose, noisy, and even allow arcing. These
corrosion problems can be prevented by using a joint compound, covering and
prevent the bridging of moisture between the metals. The most popular
compounds use either zinc oxide or copper particles embedded in silicone
grease. As the joint pressure is increased, the embedded particles dig into
the metals and form a virgin low resistance junction void of air and its
moisture. My electricians use nolox, but I'm sure there are other brands
out there that work just as well.

just my .02
S.


> 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
>




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