The crimping tool is a special device used to attach a connector to the end of a phone or network cable. RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors are the most common connectors used for cables and they can be attached to the end of a cable only with a crimping tool. Many homeowners use hammers, flat rocks or other improvised tools to attach the connectors to the cables, but the result is bad quality or complete failure. The word crimping means joining two metal pieces together by deforming one of them. The deformed piece is called a crimp.
The purpose of the crimping tool is to prepare a network or a phone cable for use by attaching a connector on the wire which is previously ripped with another special tool – wire ripper. The connector is essential for transmitting data to the wires, and to prevent the wires from falling out. Using a wrong tool can cause more damages.
Despite having a whole range of different crimping tools, they are all used for the same purpose. The best crimping tool is the one that comes with a built-in ratchet to prevent the jaws from breaking. When sufficient pressure is applied, the ratchet releases the crimped part. The ratchet improves the efficiency significantly by ensuring that enough pressure is applied. This crimping tool is designed with a wider jaw to cover bigger surface areas.
To crimp a cable with a crimping tool the operators need to match the terminal size and the wire size. Once matched, the operator can strip the wire. How much wire will be removed depends on the length of the connector. With a wire stripper, the wire is ripped and fitted into the connector. Once the cables are ripped, the cable and connector are inserted into the crimping tool. The operator presses the handles to squeeze the connector with the wires together. At the end, the wire and the connector are firmly connected together.
Once the crimping procedure is carried out, the cable and the connector will hold together, even when a great force is pulling them. If the connection is pulled apart, this means that the crimping has not been done correctly. Before installation, operators need to check how good the crimp is, in order to prevent failures once the cable and connector are installed.
