Compression Fitting Failures

Whether working on overhead (OH) or underground (UG) powerline installations, selecting the right tools and techniques is essential to maintain compliance with Australian electrical standards and industry best practices.

Understanding crimping equipment

Selecting the appropriate crimping tool depends on the cable material and size, volume of work, and accessibility of the job site. 

Below are the common types of crimping equipment used in
the industry:

Hand crimpers

• Ideal for smaller size cables and low-volume work.
• Typically used for comm. cables, instrumentation wiring, and light-duty electrical panel work.
• Available in ratcheting and non-ratcheting designs.
• Best suited for confined work areas, such as switchboard manufacturing.

Hand hydraulic crimpers

• Usually only available up to 12T, with some 15T versions available.
• Available in single, or two stage pumping for faster crimp cycles.
• Provides consistent pressure, ensuring uniform crimping.
• Ideal for job sites where mobility is required, and access is relatively straightforward.
• Not a popular choice due to their manual operation, and safety issues related to RSI. However, they are a reasonably priced option compared to battery powered options.

Remote hydraulic crimpers

Same as Hand Hydraulic Crimpers and utilised where a higher crimping force is required, ranging from 6T to 200T.

Smaller units are excellent for confined areas, such as electrical pillars and pad mounted transformers.

Up to and including the 12T versions are ideal for situations requiring remote operation such as Live Line work for safety.

Higher tonnage units are primarily used for HV work in the transmission space where a higher force is required.

Operated with hydraulic pumps, either manual, battery, electric AC, or petrol/diesel-powered.

Because the crimping head is powered by a hydraulic pump, it allows the operation of other tools head, such as cutters and hole punches etc.