Stranded ends on cables a problem? They can be if a strand works loose and causes power problems that are very hard to identify. Trying to get a stranded cable into terminals can often be a time consuming task especially when the terminal routes are tight. I knew what the answer was because I have since them attached to various cable ends in the past but I didn’t know what they were called. After much keyword searching on the Internet I discovered they are called copper wire ferrules (also known as wire-end ferrules and core end terminals).

These little pieces of copper crimp onto the end of a stranded cable and keep those little suckers under control. Once installed with a crimper the cable end becomes much easier to handle. According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrule) a ferrule is used to describe a metal object and is often used as a clamp for attaching things together.

More information about wire ferrules can be obtained from the SCS, Inc. website at: http://www.specialtycontrol.com/Products/WireFerrules/index.cfm

I still haven’t found where it’s possible to get hold of small amounts (100 or so) of these things but a company called Partex stocks them at http://www.partex.co.uk/cefs.html. The Partex website is at Partex UK

UPDATE (14th March 2008) – it looks like Maplin supply similar items called Crimp Terminals in packs of 10. You can read more on their website at: http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ITAG=FAQ&ModuleNo=42722&doy=14m3

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