Vinyl wire terminals/ Nylon wire terminals/ and heat shrink wire terminals-  Which One Do You Need?

Wire connector terminals are devices designed to make electrical connections possible. It is usually the point at which a conductor from a component, device or network comes to an end.

Wire Terminals may also refer to an electrical connector at this endpoint, acting as the reusable interface to a conductor and creating a point where external circuits can be connected. These devices come in different shapes and sizes depending on other tools and components.

Nowadays, with many technology related innovations, as we create ways using electronics and or mechanics to come up with a comfortable way of living, we also get innovative enough to develop tools and devices that help us to do so.

Dealing with electrical structures should be handled with caution to prevent electrical failures that could eventually lead to fires and other property damages. Today, electrical structures and designs are made more convenient with easy wire connections.

Thankfully, nowadays there are numerous tools and devices  that are now made available like wire terminal ends. These are used to join electrical terminations and create an electrical circuit.

These are electromechanical devices that can be used for primarily insulation displacement connectors, there are splice or butt connector types that permanently join two lengths of wire or cables. With these devices, it also help prevent unwanted electrical failures and mishaps.

This type of device comes in many different shapes and sizes depending on the size of the wire and screw. Several types of wire terminals include:

• Ring
• Spade
• Hook
• Bullet
• ect.

Dealing with electrical structures should be handled with caution to prevent electrical failures and other hazards that could eventually lead to fires and other property damages.

Thankfully, nowadays there are numerous tools and devices  such as wire terminals that are now made available in insulated types to help prevent unwanted electrical failures and mishaps.

It also helps in making the electrical structures and designs more convenient with easy wire connections.

We hope that in this article, you will be able to learn some types of wire terminals and connectors and how to use them. Choosing the right one is vital for any purpose and installation.

There are varieties of wires and cables as well as wire and cable insulations. Insulated wire or cable consists of non-conductive material or some other kind of material that is resistant to an electric current. It surrounds and protects the wire and cable inside.

How do you use the right wire connectors terminals?

Each wire connector terminal can be used for a specific purpose, and they must be only used according to what purpose they best fit. Do not use tools in places that they are not intended to be used.

Determining which terminal is best for your particular application is often a difficult task. One of the most confusing parts is the wide variety in insulation types. There are:

• non-insulated terminals
• vinyl insulated terminals
• nylon insulated terminals
• heat shrink insulated terminals.

To make matters worse, within the heat shrink terminals there are crimp seal, solder seal and crimp & solder seal options. In hopes of making things simpler, here are some pros and cons of each.

What are non insulated terminals?

Non insulated terminals and insulation for auto electrical, marine and motorcycle wiring repairs or loom assembly. These terminals can be crimped using our Non-Insulated Terminal Crimp Tools or most types can be soldered.

Non-insulated crimp terminals and connectors in a range of types and sizes to suit various applications. Includes terminals for multi-way connectors.

It is often used for applications where insulation is not needed. Some people prefer this over the other types because it is usually the least expensive option.

It can handle high temperatures as high as 340° F and other non-insulated wire connector options can handle up to 900° F

People prefer this  also because the crimp point is visible so they can see if they’ve made a good connection.  Installers can also solder or add heat shrink to create a better or sealed connection.

It should be noted that for this type of wire terminal, it has no insulation so they should not be used in places where they could come in contact and  short other exposed or non insulated wire terminals. Some of the high temp or heavy duty options require significant force or special tools to crimp. And lastly, using  these means that the connections are not sealed so they can be prone to corrosion. If only crimped, they can be prone to wires pulling out.

What are Vinyl Insulated Terminals?

Wire terminal suppliers offers wide selection of vinyl Insulated Terminals. These are commonly used in home security, electronics, automotive electrical, and many other areas.

This type of insulation is available in different kinds of wire terminal connectors such as:

• vinyl butt connectors
• vinyl ring terminals
• vinyl spade terminals,
• vinyl male and female disconnect terminals and
• vinyl hook terminals.

Wide selection of options for this type of wire is a great feature for installation jobs as well as it is easy to crimp.

Vinyl-insulated wire connectors are terminals that are used to connect, mate, or terminate electrical wire. The vinyl material acts as an economic insulation for professional electrical applications.

Vinyl insulation is great for automotive & marine vehicles, and in other applications that utilize wire to transfer electrical current.

Vinyl-insulated wire connectors are the most economical insulated terminal available and usually the cheapest insulated option that  is why it is commonly available. Its PVC insulation sleeve is securely fastened to the barrel.

The opening section of vinyl connectors often have a flared entry for easy wire insertion. Like most wires, it is available in standard industry color-coding that can indicate wire range. Vinyl insulated connectors are often rated 600 volts maximum for building wire and 1000 volts maximum for signs and fixtures.

Crimp area is not visible, so it can be hard to determine if a good crimp is achieved and using these do not guarantee sealed connection so they can be prone to corrosion and if it crimped only, wires can also be prone to pulling out.

What Are Nylon Insulated Terminals?

Nylon, very flexible wire insulation, is usually extruded over softer insulation compounds. It serves as a tough insulation, exhibiting strong abrasion, cut-through, and chemical resistance.

Wide selection of options are available, and suppliers often offer a full selection of nylon insulated terminals including:

• nylon butt connectors
• nylon ring terminals
• nylon spade terminals
• nylon male and female disconnect terminals
• nylon hook terminals and
• nylon bullet connectors variants

Nylon insulated terminals allow easy crimp on installation.  Its semi-Translucent insulation makes it easier to see if you’ve made a good connection or crimp.

For a stronger connection, these can be ‘double-crimped’ on the wire and the insulation. Nylon insulation is more flexible and less prone to cracking than Vinyl because it is more chemical resistant.

Nylon insulation is more expensive than vinyl and is rated for up to 220° F. It does not guarantee a sealed connection so they can be prone to corrosion and wires to pull out.

What Are Heat Shrink Crimp Seal Terminals?

This type of wire terminal connector has many product variants, but it is often available in  heat shrink butt splice and crimp connectors and ring terminals.

These are paired with  polyolefin heat shrink tubing with an adhesive melt liner for secure sealed connections.

To use them, simply crimp on the wire then shrink the tubing with a heat gun to permanently seal and protect your connection.

When heat is applied, the insulation shrinks and it creates a seal ideal to keep out water, salt, and contaminants.

There are other variants available for this type of  terminal such as:

• Solder-Loaded Heat-Shrink Ring Terminals which when heat is applied, the enclosed solder melts, creating the most secure, electrically conductive, and environmentally sealed connection.
• With Elongated Heat-Shrink Ring Terminals, the elongated ring can be mounted with a range of screw sizes.
• Fully Insulated Heat-Shrink Quick-Disconnect Terminals allow the connection tab on these terminals is completely covered with insulation, leaving no metal exposed when mated.
• Heat-Shrink Spade Terminals apply heat to shrink the insulation and create a seal that keeps out water, salt, and contaminants.
• When heat is applied to Solder-Loaded Heat-Shrink Spade Terminal, the enclosed solder melts and the insulation shrinks, creating the most secure, electrically conductive, and environmentally sealed connection we offer.

This type is known as the most common heat shrink terminal. With its translucent insulation, it makes it easier to see if good connection has been made.

The heat shrink terminal is more flexible and abrasion resistant than vinyl or nylon. Its insulation provides a sealed connection to prevent corrosion.

The heat shrink crimp connector with adhesive lining allows a connection that does not just rely on the crimp for strength, reducing the likelihood of wire pull out.

It is more expensive than nylon or vinyl terminals. Using this type of wire terminal requires additional tools either a heat gun or butane torch to install properly and shrink the wrap.

What Are Heat Shrink Solder Seal Terminals?

This type of wire terminal connector have solder seal in it. To use, heat these terminals to shrink the insulation once satisfied with the connection you’ve made. Heat shrinking the insulation creates a seal that keeps out water, salt, and contaminants.

There are other variants in this type such as: Fully Insulated Solder-Loaded Heat-Shrink Quick-Disconnect Terminals and  Insulated Solder-Loaded Heat-Shrink Quick-Disconnect Terminals.

The connection tab on Fully Insulated terminal type is completely covered with insulation, leaving no metal exposed when mated.

For Insulated Solder-Loaded, a plastic cover on the barrel provides electrical insulation.

With Heat Shrink Solder Loaded Wire terminal, the solder creates a stronger connection than crimp. It reduces or eliminates voltage drop across the connection. This type of wire connectors terminals can sometimes be used in tight situations where there is no room for a crimp tool.

Heat Shrink connector is translucent which makes it easier to see if you’ve made a good connection. Its insulation is more flexible and abrasion resistant than vinyl or nylon.

Heat shrink electrical connector provides a sealed connection to prevent corrosion and other contaminants. The insulation with adhesive lining creates a connection that does not just rely on the crimp for strength, it also reduces the chances of wire pull out.

But it is more expensive than nylon or vinyl terminals and is considered to be more difficult to use than crimp seal terminals. Aside from regular crimping tools, it requires additional tools to heat shrink the insulation. You may either use a heat gun or butane torch to install wire terminal properly.

What Are Heat Shrink Crimp & Solder Seal Terminals?

Heat Shrink Crimp & Solder Seal Terminals are more expensive than regular heat shrink terminals and is considered as more difficult to use than crimp seal terminals.

This type of wire connector terminal has limited options available. Aside from crimping, it requires either a heat gun or butane torch to install properly and heat shrink the insulation.

Crimp & Solder wire terminals creates a stronger connection than just crimp because it reduces or eliminates voltage drop which is good for voltage sensitive sensor connections.

Its translucent insulation makes it easier to see if you’ve made a good connection and is more flexible and abrasion resistant than vinyl or nylon. The heat shrink connector provides a sealed connection to prevent corrosion.

The combination of crimp, solder, and adhesive lined insulation makes a connection that is stronger than the wire itself giving no risk of wire pull out. This type of wire is ideal when creating a permanent fix.

Conclusion:

We hope that you find this article as a guide to choosing which wire connectors terminals is needed for your wire connections.

Choosing the wrong connector for your design can cause a range of issues, from unwanted wire corrosion  to components catching fire, so understanding the different types of connectors that best fits the job is necessary.

As you can see from above, there are a variety of wire/cable insulation materials. Make sure you contact one of our wire/cable specialists to ensure your wire and cables have the proper insulation for the installation you are performing.

Wire terminal ends are often available in both insulated and non-insulated types. Determine which best fit depends on your project or usage.

Wire insulation provides a protective cover serving as a non-conductor. Insulation protects the wire from exposure to moisture, like water, and as well as protects against extreme heat or cold.

Wire insulation is typically available in vinyl, nylon and heat shrink. Non insulated terminals provide much more economic value with its low cost and also commonly used when extra protection is unnecessary.