Connection of 3 wires. Connecting a chandelier with your own hands. Connecting wires of different sections by welding or soldering

Junction boxes perform a very important function. They provide distribution electrical wires between points of consumption, i.e. switches, lights and sockets.

Decided to install the devices listed above yourself? Then you need to thoroughly understand the features and order of connecting cables, as well as the basic methods of connecting them.

For better understanding process, this event will be considered in several stages: from preparation necessary materials before connecting electrical appliances, for example, a socket, a two-gang switch and light bulbs. Beforehand, you will learn about the main methods of connecting cables and the features of the connection.

There are several methods for connecting electrical wires. You can choose the most convenient and suitable option for your case.

The first stage - getting ready for work

First of all, we prepare everything that is required to connect electrical appliances to the box. Set includes:

• cables 3x2.5, VVG;
• cables 2x2.5, AVVG;
• switch for 2 keys;
• fastenings;
• lighting;
• socket;
• round nose pliers;
• roulette;
• wire cutters;
• pliers;
• flat screwdriver;
• a hammer.

The second stage - do the markup

At this stage, we mark the installation locations of electrical appliances and the paths for the passage of wires. So we can calculate right amount materials for system installation.

The third stage - proceed to installation

First turn off the electricity supply.

We bring the wires to the junction box. As a rule, cables are laid in strobes. To fix the cables, small nails or special plastic clips are used. In the case of doing work in wooden house, the wires will be supplied through special mounting boxes.

Important note! Wiring must be laid so that the cables do not intersect. In the event that intersections are inevitable, such places must be isolated especially carefully.

The fourth stage - we connect electrical appliances and connect the wires

We start in a junction box pre-built into the wall or fixed on the base (depending on the model) about 10 cm of wire. We remove the common sheath from the cables. Then we remove approximately 0.5 cm of insulation from each core. At this moment, we are guided by the situation - we clean off as much insulation so that the cores can be connected in the chosen way.

The diagram shows an example of connecting electrical wires using terminal blocks.

In this example, the connection is made using a two-wire wire, in which one core is zero, the second is a phase. We connect the socket to zero and. We connect the phase supply wire to the socket and one residential cable of the switch.

In our example, the switch is a two-button switch. Each key is responsible for controlling a separate group lighting fixtures. The second wire of the switch cable is connected to the first button, the third wire is connected to the second key.

In the junction box, zero wires are connected from the socket and bulb holders. The power cable is connected: zero is marked in blue, phase is in red. Wires are connected to connect each switch button to the lamp sockets.

Fifth stage - check the performance of the system

We turn on the power supply and check the operation of our outlet and. Everything is working properly. We did a great job.

Now you know the order of connecting the wires in the junction box and the features of connecting each main electrical appliance. Using the information received, you will be able to independently cope with all the planned activities.

Successful work!

Video - Connecting wires in a junction box

Connecting lighting fixtures seems like a simple task. It would seem, what is so difficult here - to connect two wires coming from the ceiling? However, sometimes an unexpected problem arises before the home master: what to do if there are not two, but three wires in the chandelier? How and where to connect them? Let's try to understand this issue.

Required Tool

For correct connection Chandeliers you will need:

• Indicator screwdriver or voltage indicator;
• Multimeter;
• pliers;
• Terminal block for three terminals;
• Insulating tape.

You will also need a stepladder or a stable stand, a marker, a sheet of paper and a passport for the lighting fixture.

Determining the purpose of the wires in the chandelier

The simplest is to use electric circuit, which can be found in the passport for the lighting device. It usually indicates the purpose of all the wires and the order in which they are connected. According to accepted standards, the color marking of wires should be done as follows:

• White or brown wire - phase;
• Blue wire - zero;
• The yellow-green wire is a protective ground wire.

If there is no documentation for the chandelier, and the color marking of the wires does not clearly indicate their belonging, it is necessary to determine their purpose using a multimeter.

Connecting a double-circuit chandelier to the mains

To properly connect a chandelier with three wires, two of which are phase wires, you need to inspect the switch and the wires coming out of the ceiling. The simplest case is when the switch is two-gang, and three wires come out of the ceiling. You can determine the purpose of these wires as follows:

1. Take an indicator screwdriver or voltage gauge.
2. Turn on both keys of the switch.
3. Alternately touch the voltage indicator to the stripped ends of all three wires. Upon contact with the phase wires, the lamp on the voltage indicator will light up.
4. Mark the phase wires with a marker.
5. Turn off the switch. Check all three wires again. The lamp should not light up!
6. Connect alternately the phase wires of the chandelier to the marked phase wires electrical wiring, also connect neutral wires. The connection is made using a terminal block or twisted using insulating caps or electrical tape.
7. Check the operation of the chandelier, turning on both keys in turn.

If the switch is single-key and only two wires come out of the ceiling, then it is necessary to check them with the switch turned on with a voltage indicator and find the phase and neutral wires. The phase wires of the chandelier are connected to each other and with phase wire electrical wiring, neutral wires are also connected. Check the on and off of the chandelier.

If the switch is installed single-key, and there are three wires in the wiring, it is necessary to find out the purpose of the third wire. To do this, turn on the switch and check the presence of voltage on all wires. If the phase is found on two wires, then you need to replace the over-gang switch, and the chandelier can be connected in a three-wire circuit. If the phase is only on one wire, and the third wire has yellow-green insulation, then the connection is made as in the previous case: both phase wires of the chandelier are connected to the phase wire of the electrical wiring, and the ground conductor is insulated and removed.

Connecting a chandelier with a ground wire

If the lighting device has a metal case, it must be grounded. In new apartments, all electrical networks, including lighting, according to the standards, must have a yellow-green grounding conductor. If your network meets this requirement, then to connect the chandelier, it is enough to connect the wires to the corresponding color coding using a terminal block or twisting.

If the networks are old, and the insulation of all wires has the same color, then you should proceed in the following sequence:

1. Determine the number and purpose of wires coming out of the ceiling. If there are two wires, then turn on the switch and use the voltage indicator to find the phase and zero. The switch is turned off and the wires are connected to the corresponding wires of the chandelier, and the ground wire at the chandelier is insulated.
2. If there are three wires, then proceed in a similar way. If there are two separate circuits and a two-gang switch in the network, then the phase wires of the wiring are combined and connected to the phase wire of the chandelier, the neutral wires of the wiring and the chandelier are also connected, and the ground wire is isolated.

Safety

Care must be taken when connecting any electrical appliances. All connections and connections must be carried out only with the switch off after checking the absence of voltage on the wires. Places of twists are isolated using special caps or electrical tape. If you doubt that you can connect a chandelier with three wires correctly, it is better to entrust this matter to professionals.

Seemingly simple operation - installation new chandelier- a person unfamiliar with electrics can be confused: a bunch of wires and it is not clear what to connect with what. How to connect a chandelier with different amount horns (and wires) to the switch and we will discuss.

Preparation: continuity and phase detection on the ceiling

Those who have at least a little icon with power grids will not need it, the rest will be useful. It can be difficult for a person who does not constantly deal with electricity to navigate. In order not to get confused, we will tell you everything in order: how to find the phase (or phases) and zero in the wires on the ceiling, what to do with grounding. And then, like a whole bunch of wires on a chandelier, connect to those that stick out at the top. As a result, connecting a chandelier with your own hands will be an easy task for you.

Ground wire

If the wiring is already done, two, three or four wires stick out on the ceiling. One of them is exactly “zero”, the rest are phase, there may still be grounding.

There is not always a ground wire, only in houses of new construction or after overhaul with replacement wiring. According to the standard, it has a yellow-green color and is connected to the same wire on the chandelier. If your chandelier does not have it, bare wire carefully isolate and leave in this form. You can’t leave it uninsulated - you can accidentally short it out.

We are looking for phases and zero

You need to deal with the rest of the wires: where is the “phase” and where is “zero”. In old houses, all the wires are usually the same color. Most often black. New buildings can be black and blue, or brown and blue. Sometimes there is red. In order not to guess by the colors, it is easier to ring them.

If you have three wires on the ceiling, and a two-gang switch on the wall, you should have two "phases" - for each of the keys and one "zero" - a common wire. You can call with a multimeter (tester) or indicator screwdriver(this is a special screwdriver with a light bulb that lights up when there is voltage). During operation, turn the switch key to the “on” position (the input machine is also turned on). After dialing, turn the switch keys to the "off" position. If possible, it is better to cut down the machine on the shield and connect the chandelier with the power off.

Continuity of wires on the ceiling with a temter

How to ring and determine the wires with a tester is shown in the photo. Set the switch to the "volts" position, select the scale (more than 220 V). Alternately touch the probe pairs of wires (probes, hold the handles, do not touch the bare conductors). Two phases do not “ring” with each other - there will be no changes on the indicator. If you find such a pair, most likely, these are two phases. The third wire is most likely "zero". Now connect each of the proposed phases with probes to zero. The indicator should be 220 V. You found zero - in the international specification it is denoted by the letter N - and two phases - are denoted by L. If all the wires are of the same color, mark them somehow: with paint, a colored marker, a piece of adhesive tape. Phases - in one color, zero - in another.

It is easier to work with an indicator screwdriver: just touch the bare conductor with its end. Lights up - phase, no - zero. Very simple.

If there are only two wires sticking out, then one of them is a phase, the other is zero. There is only one button on the switch. There are no other options.

Wires on a chandelier

Connecting a chandelier with 2 wires is simple: you screw one of them to the phase, the other to zero. Which one, it doesn't matter. If there are two phases on the ceiling, and a two-gang switch on the wall, there are options:

On multi-track chandeliers, there are definitely more than two wires. We decided on the appointment of yellow-green. This is grounding. If the same wire is on the ceiling, connect to it. The rest also need to be dealt with.

A chandelier with 3 wires is not much more difficult to connect. If one of them is ground (yellow-green), you can:

• ignore - if there are no wires of this color (or similar) on the ceiling,
• connect to the same color.

Actually, there are no other options. Three wires are mainly for lamps with one light bulb. With two - this is an outdated design, with three - more modern, in line with current recommendations.

Connecting to a double switch

Connect a five-, four-, three-arm chandelier to two-gang switch on the same principle. From each of the horns there are two multi-colored wires. Most often these are blue and brown wires, but there are other variations. To connect to double switch all of them need to be divided into three groups: two phases and one zero.

Everything first blue wires combined with each other and twisted well. This is zero. In principle, you can take wires of a different color - this does not matter for lighting fixtures. But according to the standard, it is “zero” that is indicated in blue. It is only important that conductors painted in a different color do not get into the twist. In the photo below you can see that all conductors of blue color combined into one group. This is "zero".

Now divide the rest into two groups. The breakdown is optional. One group of bulbs will turn on from one key, the second - from another. In a five-horned chandelier, usually 2 + 3 are combined, but 1 + 4 is also possible. There are also two options in the four-horn one - 2 + 2 or 1 + 3. But with three bulbs without options: 1 + 2. Twist the separated wires together. We got two groups that connect to the "phases" on the ceiling.

How to connect a chandelier to a single switch

If there are only two wires on the ceiling, and there are a lot of wires on the chandelier, but only two colors, everything is simple. All conductors of the same color are twisted with bare parts and connected to one of the wires on the ceiling (it doesn’t matter which one). Collect all conductors of the second color in one bundle and attach to the second ceiling. The connection diagram of the chandelier in this case is shown in the figure below.

When this is turned on, all the lights will light up at the same time.

Wire Connection Rules

When working with electricity, there are no trifles. Therefore, we connect the wires in the chandelier according to all the rules. When combined into one group, it is not enough just to twist them and screw on the protective cap.

Connect the wires from the chandelier and the switch in the terminal box

Such a twist will sooner or later oxidize and begin to warm up. It is highly desirable to solder such connections. If you know how to handle a soldering iron and tin, be sure to do it. This will guarantee normal contact and the connection will not heat up.

Now about how to connect the wires from the chandelier to the wires from the switch (which are on the ceiling). According to the latest rules, twisting is not allowed. Terminal boxes must be used. Majority modern chandeliers filled with them. If not, buy anywhere. hardware store or selling lighting fixtures.

When using such a terminal box, a problem arises: twisting from a large number The wires just don't go through the hole. Output: solder a conductor to the connection (copper, solid or stranded, with a cross section of at least 0.5 mm 2). It is good to insulate this connection, and insert the free end of the soldered conductor into the terminal box (the long one is not needed - cm 10 is more than enough).

Inserting all the wires from the chandelier into the terminal block and tightening the screws, the entire structure is raised to the ceiling. There it is pre-attached, after which it is in the terminal block in right order connect wires. In this case, it is important to set “zeros” one opposite the other. Phases are connected to phases in any order.

How to separate the wires on the chandelier, how to connect the conductor and the chandelier to the terminal block - all this is in the video.

Connecting a Chinese chandelier

Most of the relatively inexpensive chandeliers on the market from China. What they are good for is a large assortment, but with quality electrical assembly there are problems. Therefore, before connecting the chandelier, you need to check its electrical characteristics.

First check the integrity of the insulation. They can be assembled into one bundle and shorted to the body. The tester should not show anything. If there is any indication, you have two options: look for and replace the damaged wire or take it for an exchange.

The second stage of verification is the verification of each horn. There are two wires coming from the horn. They are soldered to two contacts in the cartridge. Each wire is called with the corresponding contact. The device should show a short circuit (short circuit or infinity sign, depending on the model).

After checking, start grouping the wires as described above.

Connecting a halogen chandelier (with and without remote control)

Halogen lamps do not work from 220 V, but from 12 V or 24 V. Therefore, step-down transformers are installed in each of them and the whole circuit is assembled and ready for installation. Only two conductors remain free, which must be connected to the wires sticking out on the ceiling. Connected in random order, "phase" and "zero" - do not matter.

If the chandelier is equipped with a remote control, another control unit is added to the transformers. The connection is similar: there are two conductors that need to be connected to the one on the ceiling. The third conductor coming from the other side (it is thin) is an antenna, with the help of which the remote control and the control unit “communicate”. This conductor remains inside the glass in the form in which it is.

How to connect a chandelier with a remote control, see the following video.

Modern life cannot be imagined without electrical appliances: TV, computer, food processor, washing machine, iron, ironing machine, heater, fireplace, coffee grinder, kettle, refrigerator, etc. Well, it’s absolutely impossible to imagine our life without electric lamps that help us live comfortably in the evening, morning and night.

Entering the house at night, our hand first of all reaches for the switch. We vaguely imagine how people used to live without electricity. But in order to use electricity in our apartments, houses, garages, offices, it is necessary to supply this same electricity.

Wiring

Electricity is supplied to consumers through wires. It is important to know how to connect the wires for this purpose around the apartment. Wiring of wires in apartments and houses is done on the basis of what and where will be placed in the apartment, where lamps, lamps, floor lamps and all kinds of electrical appliances will be needed.

In order to install sockets and switches so that life is trouble-free, electrical wiring must be carried out correctly. The most common damage during the passage of current through the wires is usually an open circuit. Such a nuisance manifests itself, as a rule, at the junctions of wires (in twists, terminals, clamps). With such a breakdown, the consequences can be disastrous. Consider how to properly connect the wires. There are some peculiarities here. Failure to follow certain rules can lead to malfunctions in the power supply system and even to a fire.

How to connect copper wires

Copper wires allow connection in any way - twisting, soldering, screw, terminal blocks, etc. Switching from aluminum to copper wires improves the quality of connections. Since 2001, risers have been prescribed to be made only with copper wires and to switch to the same conductors everywhere. allowed for use by consumers with a known, constant, guaranteed power. To sockets that provide work household appliances where the load is constantly changing, only copper cables and wires are used. In construction for outdoor wiring (underground cables, air lines etc.) by existing norms aluminum is used. Today, many houses are still equipped with aluminum wiring, and no one is going to redo it all to copper. But during repairs, for example, changes in the location of sockets occur in apartments. Here it must be remembered that the contact of these two materials is unacceptable.

Branch clamps

Branch clamps are used to branch off a whole wire. Electricians affectionately call them "nuts" because of their similarity with walnut corps.

They are arranged as follows: these are two steel plates in which there are grooves for conductors and they are compressed by four screws, and between them there is also a flat plate that separates the copper and aluminum wires. Such models are both for home and for street work. They are mainly used for drainage to apartments from an aluminum riser.

Connect two wires - how?

The simplest thing is to twist the wires, they are fixed by soldering, but this is a long time. It is easier to use the terminal block, where the twist is inserted and tightened with one or two screws. In this case, it is important to press with a flat plate so as not to cut the strands. When there is no such plate, soldering or putting on a thin-walled tip on the twist is required - this prevents the destruction of the wires in the terminal. Soldering is carried out mainly on soft stranded conductors, and this leads to mechanical influences, wire displacement and a break at the end of the tinned section.

Moving away from simple twisting

Anyone who wants to do something on their own electrical wiring: install a socket, switch, asks himself the question of how to connect the wires? Previously, they simply twisted two wires (or more) and insulated, but this is often unsafe and clumsy.

The situation is changing every year better side. When connecting rigid single-wire cores, they are fixed with caps, soldering, spring terminals, welding, screw clamps. In mass construction, connections were previously fixed with plastic caps. Now they are widely used and available to everyone. Inside the caps there is a special gel that prevents oxidation, or a conical spring that is screwed onto twisted connections, as if threaded. Spring caps are used for a certain number of wires: two of 4 sq. mm or four 1.5 sq. mm and no more.

Now a newer three-wire circuit is used, and it is safer than two-wire. The new implemented scheme is when the current does not flow through the protective conductor in the operating mode, and therefore, the connections made do not experience loads.

Nowadays for electrical work flexible, stranded PVA is preferred ("P" - wire; "B" - insulation and sheath made of PVC - plastic compound (vinyl); "C" - connecting), which is produced in accordance with GOST 7399-97. Designed for connecting electrical appliances, household and similar machines to power networks of rated alternating voltage up to 380 V and for systems 380/660 V).

Connection isolation

How to connect two wires, ensuring tightness? For this there is an insulating tape. According to the PUE, tape insulation must be performed with at least three layers of it, both cotton and vinyl.

Cotton tape is more heat resistant. It withstands 70-80 degrees, vinyl is less stable and flows at 50-60. But over time, cotton material loses its water repellency and starts absorbing water. In this regard, for greater tightness and heat resistance, the inner layer of insulation is made of fabric, and the outer layer is made of vinyl.

Connection with spring terminals

How to connect copper wires to aluminum? For home use very good spring terminals. The stripped wire is inserted into the hole and there it is fixed with a spring. Such devices are available for soft and hard wires. In this device, it is easy to connect copper and aluminum wire, because they do not come into contact with each other, and this eliminates electrical corrosion. Moreover, the gel inside eats away the oxide film on aluminum. You can connect wires different diameter and only the amount for which the terminals are designed. When connecting more than two wires (maybe of different cross sections), not only spring terminals are suitable, but also ordinary terminal blocks.

Terminal block connections

Most often used by professional electricians They have many insulated sockets with screws (usually two). Under one in the socket we bring the wire, and with the other we press the comb, which connects all the sockets of the block together. The required number of cells is cut off with a knife or hacksaw.

Very comfortable pads for one clamp. Two wires inserted into the hole are fixed with a screw. There are terminal blocks that, with one screw, press two wires at once, placed in parallel.

Another very convenient option provides for fixing the wires not with a screw, but with a special lever. Terminal blocks are made in such a way that additional insulation is not needed. It is impossible to touch current-carrying parts. Their degree of protection is high and equal to - IP20. Another frontier of protection is the plastic housing of the junction box.

Connecting wires with terminal blocks

To connect several conductors (as many as you like), it is easier to work with a terminal block. This is a copper bar with holes and screw clamps. Such structures can be mounted in distribution cabinets in several pieces. With this design, it is very easy to connect the wires in the junction box. This design is especially good for rigid conductors. But the terminal blocks must be firmly fixed in the junction box so that they do not touch each other.

How to connect wires in a mixed installation, when they are hidden in wall strobes and behind plasterboard structures with built-in lights? A flexible wire is used for such light sources. In this case, the quality of the connection of flexible wires should be treated with particular care.

Junction box options

Unsoldering, disconnection is the connection of wires in order to distribute current flows. Twisting wires with their further desoldering, welding or without it is desoldering. Connecting wires or cable cores to terminals, connectors is a disconnect.

Metal boxes must be grounded. These boxes are used only when laying electrical cables in metal pipes, for example, in wooden houses.

Connecting wires in a box

For the convenience of monitoring connections, they are performed in junction boxes. Any craftsman knows how to connect the wires in the box. Usually there are terminal blocks inside the junction box. Box models are available with different numbers of inlets and outlets. In accordance with the number of wires and their cross section, the size of the box is selected. Above in the text there are recommendations for choosing a method for connecting wires. All of them are equal, have their own advantages and disadvantages.

For example, a method such as soldering takes too long to connect even two wires. Instantaneous connection is provided by spring terminals. They are good for everyone: they are compact, reliable, but they are intended only for single-wire cores (there are models for multi-wire, but they serve to connect one rigid wire to one flexible) and for a strictly defined number of them (it is impossible to make another branch when all the places are occupied ).

The wires in the box are connected according to their purpose: phase, common and ground. For installation, a three-core or two-core cable is used, in which the cores are marked different color isolation. As a rule, they observe the binding of the purpose of the wires to their color: phase - white, common - blue (light blue), earth - yellow-green. In any case, how to connect 2 wires (by color), the master decides in a particular situation. The main thing is that he is well versed in the matter.

How to connect aluminum wires

You need to know that aluminum is not only brittle and can break after several bends, but also softens from a slight heating of the contacts when current flows, flows out from under the screw. In this case, the pressure is significantly weakened, and the temperature rises even more.

The ideal rule for the installer: today they assembled it, tomorrow they pulled it up, and a week later - again. In the future, another check with a tightening is arranged every six months. This is the answer to the question of how to connect aluminum wires. But it is desirable to carry out control of screw connections and copper wires at least once every two years. Connect the wires in the junction box so that they are accessible for repair or inspection. These rules exist to avoid electric shock to people, to eliminate the possibility of a fire. Violations of them increase the likelihood of accidents, which can lead to death.

Headphone problem

How to connect the wires of the headphones if they are torn? How to solve the problem correctly so that it is accurate and quality is not violated? Here the wires are very thin. Twist them simply with each other - the quality of the perceived sound will be disturbed. Solder? But for this it is necessary to get rid of the varnish that covers the wiring. It is necessary to remove it, but the wires are very thin and it is not easy to clean them with a knife - they are torn.

So, which way to connect the wires to choose? There are "pros" and "cons" to each method. Each of the masters knows how to connect the wires correctly, and does it in the way that is more convenient, familiar and easier for him. There will be no problems if the work is done efficiently and in good faith. It is not for nothing that it is believed that the safety of electrical wiring in the house depends on the decision of how to connect the wires correctly. Therefore, it will be useful to think over all the options and repeat again.

So how do you connect the wires? We take four-hundred sandpaper, drip rosin on it, put one wire on the rosin and with a soldering iron and solder, we begin to carefully remove the varnish from the wiring. Having spent two or three times, we will see that it has been removed and the wiring has become irritated. Then we do the same with the rest of the wiring. Everything, the ends of the wires are prepared, they can be soldered by connecting to each other in color.

Electricity is not the area where you need to save. It is advisable to do everything carefully, to select high-quality materials, to choose sizes / diameters / ratings carefully. Let's start with the fact that even the conductors must be connected correctly. And choosing how to connect wires is not as easy as it seems.

There are about a dozen ways to connect wires. In general, they can be divided into two groups: those that require special equipment or specific skills and those that can be successfully used by anyone. House master They don't require any special skills.

The first group includes:

• Soldering. When connecting wires, do not large diameter in the amount of -2-3 pieces - a very reliable method. True, it requires a soldering iron and some skills in owning it.
• Welding. We need a welding machine and special electrodes. But the contact is reliable - the conductors are fused into a monolith.
• Crimping sleeves. Need sleeves and special pliers. Sleeves are selected according to certain rules that you need to know. The connection is reliable, but in order to remake it, it will have to be cut off.

All these methods of connecting wires are performed mainly by specialists. If you have experience with a soldering iron or welding machine, having trained on unnecessary scraps, you can do them yourself.

Some wiring methods are more popular, others less so.

Ways to connect wires that do not require any specific skills are becoming more and more popular. Their advantage is quick installation, reliable connection. The disadvantage is that “connectors” are needed - terminal blocks, clamps, bolts. Some of them cost quite decent money (Wago terminal blocks, for example), although there are inexpensive options- screw terminal blocks.

So here are the ways to connect wires, which are easy to perform:

Among professionals there are two opposite opinions. Some believe that new ways of connecting wires - clamps - the best way out, as they speed up installation without compromising the quality of the connection. Others say that the springs will someday weaken and the contact will deteriorate. In this matter, the choice is yours.

Technical nuances of different types of wire connections

All types of wire connections described above are used when laying electrical wiring, but a specific type is selected based on several characteristics:

Consider each connection method, the technology for its implementation and the appropriateness of use in various situations.

Soldering electrical wires

One of the oldest and most widespread types of connection. To work, you will need rosin, solder and a soldering iron. The soldering process is as follows:

Actually, this is the end of the soldering of electrical wires. Not the most difficult process but requires certain skills. The main thing is to warm up the junction enough for the solder to flow between all the wires. In this case, you can not overheat, otherwise the insulation will melt. This is the art - not to burn the insulation, but to ensure reliable contact.

When can soldering be used? This method of connecting wires is excellent in low-current electrics. When connecting wires in a junction box, it is no longer very convenient. Especially if there are a lot of wires and / or they are of large diameter. Soldering such a twist is not a task for beginners. In addition, when trying to lay the connection in the junction box, the soldering begins to break down. To the point that some of the wires fall off. In general, the method is good for connecting conductors of small diameters.

Welding conductors in electrical connections

One of the most reliable ways wire connections - welding. During this process, the metal of individual conductors is brought to the melting point, mixed, after cooling it is a monolith. This method works very well on large diameters or when in large numbers connected conductors. It differs not only in excellent contact, which does not weaken over time and does not change its characteristics. It is also mechanically very strong - the fused part does not allow the connection to fall apart even under heavy loads.

The drop at the end of the twist is molten aluminum

Disadvantages are also present. The first one is just that the conductors are fused, that is, the connection turns out to be absolutely one-piece. If you need to remake it, you have to remove the fused part and start all over again. To be able to do this, you always need to leave a small backlog along the length of the wires. The second drawback is that you need a welding machine, skills in handling it, special electrodes for welding aluminum or copper. The main task in this case is not to burn the insulation, but to melt the conductors. To make this possible, they are stripped of insulation by about 10 cm, twisted tightly into a bundle, and then welded at the very end.

Another disadvantage of welding wires is laborious process, which also requires jewelry precision in handling the welding machine. For the combination of these qualities, many professional electricians do not like this method. If you pull the wiring "for yourself" and know how to handle the equipment, you can spend some time. Just pre-practice on scraps, select the current strength and welding time. Only after several times you get everything perfect, you can start welding wires "in real life".

Crimping

Another method that requires special equipment is crimping wires with sleeves. Sleeves are copper and aluminum, different diameters. The material is selected depending on the material of the conductor, and the size is selected according to the diameter and number of wires in a particular connection. Almost all the space inside the sleeve should be filled with them, but at the same time it should remain free place. The quality of the contact depends on the correct choice of the sleeve size. This is the main difficulty of this method of connecting wires: the sleeve should not be too large or too small.

The technology of work is as follows:

• The conductors are stripped of insulation (the length of the stripped section is slightly more than the length of the sleeve).
• Each conductor is stripped to bare metal (we remove oxides sandpaper with small grain).
• The wires are twisted, inserted into the sleeve.
• Crimped with special pliers.

It seems that it is not difficult, but it is in the selection of the sleeve and the presence of ticks that the whole difficulty lies. You can, of course, try to compress with pliers or pliers. But it is impossible to guarantee normal contact in this case.

Twisting

In the first section of the article, we deliberately omitted the twisting of wires. According to the current standard, it cannot be used, since it does not provide proper contact and connection reliability. This method can replace any other methods of connecting wires.

Yes, they did wiring on the twists 20-30 years ago and everything worked fine. But what were the loads on the networks then, and what are they now ... Today, the number of equipment in ordinary apartment or a private house has increased significantly and most of the equipment is demanding on power supply. Some types simply will not work at reduced voltage.

Why is twisting so bad? Twisted wires do not make good enough contact. At first, everything is fine, but over time, the metal is covered with an oxide film, which significantly impairs contact. With insufficient contact, the junction begins to heat up, an increase in temperature causes a more active formation of an oxide film, which further worsens the contact. At some point, the twist heats up very much, which can lead to a fire. It is for this reason that it is better to choose any other method. There are some that are even faster and easier to do, but which are more reliable.

Connection isolation

All the methods of connecting wires described above - welding, soldering, crimping with a sleeve - provide for their insulation, since bare conductive conductors must be protected. For these purposes, electrical tape or heat shrink tubing is used.

Everyone probably knows how to use electrical tape, but we’ll tell you a little about heat shrink tubing. This is a hollow polymer tube, which significantly reduces its diameter when the temperature rises (by 2-6 times, depending on the type). The size is selected so that the pre-shrink volume is greater than the diameter of the insulated wires, and the post-shrink volume is less. In this case, a tight fit of the polymer is ensured, which guarantees a good degree of insulation.

Heat shrink tubing for insulation of conductors can be of different diameters and colors

In addition to the size of heat shrink tubing, choose according to special features. They are:

• heat-resistant;
• light-stabilized (for outdoor use);
• oil-petrol resistant;
• resistant to chemicals.

The cost of heat shrink tubing is not very high - from $ 0.5 to $ 0.75 per 1 meter. Their length should be slightly longer than the length of the bare conductors - so that one end of the tube is pulled over the insulation of the conductors by about 0.5 cm, and the second sticks out by 0.5-1 cm. After the tube is stretched, take a heat source (you can use a lighter) and heat the tube. Heating temperature can be different - from 60°C to +120°C. After the connection is covered, the heating stops, after which the polymer cools quickly.

Time wire insulation heat shrink tube takes a little - seconds count - and the quality of the insulation is high. Sometimes, for greater reliability, two tubes can be used - a slightly smaller and a slightly larger diameter. In this case, first put on and warm up one tube, then the second. Such connections can be operated even in water.

Terminal blocks

This method is also preferred by electricians, but it can be easily used by a person who can hold an ordinary screwdriver in his hands. This is one of the first ways to connect electrical wires without soldering. Today, on almost every electrical appliance, you can see a variant of this connection - this is the output block to which the power cord is connected.

Terminal blocks are a contact plate, which is soldered in a plastic (polymer) or carbolite housing. They cost very little, they are available in almost any store selling electrical goods.

Terminal blocks are convenient, inexpensive, allow you to connect copper and aluminum wires, conductors of different diameters, solid and stranded

The connection takes place literally in seconds. The insulation is removed from the conductor (by about 0.5-0.7 cm), the oxide film is removed. Two conductors are inserted into the socket - one opposite the other - and fixed with bolts. These bolts press the metal against the contact plate, making the connection.

The advantage of this connection method: it is possible to connect wires of various sections, single-core with multi-core. The disadvantage is that only a couple of wires are connected. Jumpers must be installed to connect three or more.

PPE caps

Another way to connect wires that does not require special skills is to install PPE caps. They are a plastic cone-shaped case, inside of which a spring is sealed. They happen different size- from 0 to 5. You can connect wires of different diameters - each package contains the minimum and maximum and minimum total cross-section of the connected wires. In addition, there are cases simply in the form of a cone, there are with stops "ears" that facilitate their installation. When choosing, pay attention to the quality of the plastic - it should not bend.

Connecting the wires with PPE is very simple: strip the insulation, collect the wires into a bundle, insert it inside the cap and start twisting. A spring inside the cap grips the conductors, helping to twist them. The result is a twist that outside wrapped in spring wire. That is, the contact is very high quality and good. This method of connecting wires with PPE caps has been used for a long time in Europe and America, it came to us about 10 years ago.

If you need ways to connect wires without welding - consider PPE

There is another way: first, the wires are twisted, then caps are put on them. This method was invented by the Russian company that produces these wire connectors - KZT. But this technique requires more time, and the quality of the connection is no different.

There is one more point: how long to strip the wire from the insulation. Manufacturers give clear instructions on this matter - each size has its own length of bare conductors. It is designed so that all conductors without insulation are inside the case. If you do this, the connection does not require additional insulation, which greatly speeds up the process. In addition, the expanded lower part does not prevent heat removal and such a connection is heated less.

Practicing electricians advise to strip the wires by 5-10 cm, and insulate the twist left without insulation. This is argued by the fact that the contact area with this option is larger. It is true, but this option heats up more. And the standard solution has reliability. there are no problems with contact (with normal quality of PPE).

Wago clamps

The most heated debate flared up precisely about Vago. Some people absolutely love this product, others don't. And, no less emphatically. Opponents of using Wago do not like the fact that the contact is based on a spring. They talk about how she might weaken. This will lead to poor contact and overheating. And they bring photos with melted clamps. Supporters of this method conduct tests and comparisons, they say that a properly selected branded clip lasts for many years without signs of deterioration in contact. Yes, and manufacturers say that, subject to technology, Wago terminal blocks can be used for 25-35 years. It is important to choose the right type and parameters and not buy a fake (there are a lot of them).

There are two types of Vago clamps. The first series is slightly less expensive, called Wago. These clamps are suitable for connecting solid and stranded wires with a cross section of 0.5-4 mm2. For conductors of smaller or larger cross sections, there is another series - Cage Clamp. It has a very wide range of use - 0.08-35 mm2, but also a high cost. In any case, the contact is provided by a good copper contact plate. special shape plate allows you to achieve reliable contact.

Detachable

In addition, Vago spring-loaded clamps are detachable (222 series) and one-piece (773 and 273 series). Detachable ones are convenient to install in those places where changes in the network configuration are possible. For example, in junction boxes. They have levers with which the wires are clamped or released. Detachable Wago terminal blocks can connect from 2 to 5 conductors. Moreover, they can be of different sections, types (single-core and multi-core). The order of connecting the wires is as follows:

We repeat the same operation with another (other) wires. All this takes a matter of seconds. Very fast and convenient. It is not surprising that many professional electricians forgot other ways to connect wires.

One-piece

One-piece series differ in structure: there is a clamp body and a cap. The cap can be made from transparent polymer(773 series) or opaque plastic (223). There are holes in the case into which wires stripped of insulation are inserted.

To ensure normal contact, it is only necessary to remove the insulation correctly - exactly by 12-13 mm. These are the requirements of the manufacturer. After the conductor is inserted, the bare part of it should be in the terminal block, and the insulation should rest against the housing. Under such conditions, the contact will be reliable.

Bolted connection

Another type of connection of electrical wires with a solid experience is bolted. It is called so because a bolt, nut and several washers are used to connect the wires. Contact through the use of washers is good, but the whole structure takes up a lot of space and is inconvenient to install. It is mainly used when it is necessary to connect conductors from different metal- aluminum and copper.

The connection build order is as follows:

• We clean the wires from insulation.
• From the cleaned part we form a loop, the diameter of which is equal to the diameter of the bolt.
• We put on the bolt in the following sequence
  • washer (it rests on the head of the bolt);
  • one of the conductors;
  • another puck;
  • second conductor;
  • third puck;
• We tighten everything with a nut.

So you can connect not only two, but also three, and more wires. Please note that it is necessary to tighten the nut not only by hand. Must use spanners put in a solid effort.

The best ways to connect wires for different occasions

Since different wires can be connected, they can be operated in different conditions, then best way You have to choose taking into account all these nuances. Here are the most common situations:

These are the most common options for non-standard connections.