Whether you are looking to install new electrical wiring or making repairs to existing wires, butt connectors, also known as barrel splices, can be a quick and easy solution. These small, tube-like connectors offer high connectivity, insulation and a sealed connection when crimped. Butt Connectors are used across a wide variety of applications, such as automotive, marine, power management, solar, communication and aerospace. They are especially useful in harsh environments where other methods of connecting wires can be susceptible to corrosion and environmental hazards.
Butt Connectors come in a variety of amperage ratings, colors and gauge sizes to accommodate different needs. They can be used on solid or stranded copper, solid or stranded steel conductors and may feature vinyl, nylon or heat shrinkable insulation. Nylon is a more rugged option than vinyl and offers improved solvent resistance while heat shrink butt connectors have an added benefit of moisture protection and better strain relief capabilities than standard butt connectors.
When installing a butt connector, it is important to make sure that the electricity is shut off at the source and that there is no electrical current running through the circuit. This step is critical in order to avoid an electric shock, which can be dangerous and potentially fatal. After ensuring that the electricity is off, you will need to remove any excess cable sheath and strip the exposed ends of the wires. Next, insert each stripped wire into the respective end of the butt connector and firmly crimp it with the proper crimp tool. After crimping, it is recommended to perform a tug test on the butt connector to ensure that it does not pull out.
Some butt connectors are designed for use with a solder insert, which allows them to be joined together without the need for solder or a heat gun. These butt connectors feature a metal sleeve that houses a solder insert, which melts over the wires and binds them together. These butt connectors are designed for use with solid and stranded wire and should be crimped properly in order to not open the solder seam.
For situations where you need to connect two wires of different gauge together, you can use a step down butt connector with clear heat shrink. These butt connectors have a colored dash on the tubing that indicates the wire AWG it accepts, so you can easily find the correct size of wire to insert. To use, simply insert the wires into each end of the butt connector and crimp them. Once crimped, apply heat to the heat shrink working outward until it is fully melted and sealed. This method of connecting wires provides a durable, environmentally sealed and water resistant connection that can be used in most harsh conditions.