How to Crimp Ferrules (and Why You Need Them) 

Great video. Thank you for NOT being a minute hog like so many other RU-vidrs.

I love how short and detailed the vids are.

Years ago I installed electronic equipment in industrial facilities. Some places wanted us to use ferrules to connect stranded wire to circuit breakers. The company bought insulated ferrules for us to use. But since we didn't know any better we tried to crimp them with a standard wire crimper. Since we didn't like the way it crimped we just didn't use them. now I know why.

Thanks for the links in the blog post for the ferrules.

Been getting heavy into car audio and have noticed these being sold a lot. Had no clue. Now I do. Thank you 😅

As more and more people are going solar your videos are going to be invaluable for the next decade.

Thank you for being such a good teacher!

Nate, I've been following you and Steph for several years and I'm overdue in giving HUGE kudos to you two as your videos are hands-down the BEST tutorials regarding anything solar. Although I'm only in the planning stage of what it is I would like to build solar-wise, I will definitely purchase products via your links. Really enjoy the adventures you two share - keep the great videos comin'!!!

Well done series, im binging the whole Playlist. I'm competent in wiring but I genuinely appreciate your videos as you've taught me a few things. Thanks!

The ferrulles also are great in applications where there is vibration - stranded wire will vibrate loose without ferrules!

Heys guys thanks for all the great informative videos. I’ve already upgraded some of my tools and work methods. Bring on some more. Dan - Oklahoma Tumbleweeds.

I have just found your series of videos and am REALLY enjoying them. They are punchy and informative. Thank you.

Thank you for the video. Ferrules are great, yet expensive! I was looking at the wires into the terminals, and I didn't like how screw just punches into the wire threads. It looks unfinished, and ferrules is the solution, and I appreciate that you mentioned that in Europe, they require it, in order to pass.

👍 Danke fürs Hochladen! 👍 Thanks for uploading!

Discovered ferrules myself recently. Love them for all the same reasons outlined here…

Glad I came across your channel. You cover the topics so well and succinctly.

awesome info, subscribed and now watching all your videos. About to tackle a full wiring job on my camper. Many thanks!!

Thank you! Great video. Thanks for going right to the point.

I didn't know this was a thing! I work with electrics a fair bit too. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!

This is so helpful. Thank you!

Great advice Nate!

All that I can say is a Big Thank You!👍👍

I can’t believe how easy I thought this would be without watching your video! I completely thought I could just figure it out 😅

I agree that it should be added to the USA NEC code

A tool/device (ferrule) I had no idea existed, and I’ve been working way too hard to get large gauge (2-6) wire into connections. MANY THANKS!!

Awesome video and great explanation

Exactly what I was looking for thanks!

Bootlace ferrules for the win! I would always use the insulated version, no need for heatshrink. Loving this series so far

Vibration can cause fine wire strands to break and ferrules prevent this. He probably goes into this on his blog, but a “square” crimper is best for ‘pockets’ that have flat contact surfaces. A “hex” crimp is best for pockets with a rounded surface, often seen on smaller wiring.

Great video - you can use an insulated ferrule and eliminate the heat shrink step !

Would be nice to have a video series on all the common crimping and connector types including soldering covering when to use, when to avoid, and how to do it.

Thanks Nate!

You save my day...

Tops good 1 thank you

Here in Belgium ferrules are mandatory for all flexible wiring in permanent installations. But I use them with ALL stranded/flexible wiring, even low voltage applications.

Nate, is there an advantage to using uninsulated ferrules with heat shrink over the insulated ferrules with color coded nylon or pvc entrance?

I am following the digram you have for the Renogy 3000W inverter charger. Is it still okay to use the Victron lynx distributor in this setup? or do I need the positive and negative bus bar? Thanks so much! Your videos are extremely helpful

Nate, did you ever go over the process of just running, channeling, and poking wires thru the van. Is there a better way to get them to stick in places? Did you use split tubing to protect the wires? or any other ideas? I know you have covered a lot and I am still in the process of learning and absorbing the info. But I don't believe I saw anything about running the wires thru the van and best practices to do that. thanks for your time.

it makes for a clean and safe job. If you're doing it for a living it will make you more money and more customers

Currently converting my 2002 vw t4 Every wire has some sort of connector on it. O,Hook & fork to hardware.

Thanks mate! Didn't even know these existed lol

Hi Nate. Just found out your website/blogs. From what I read you’re definitely one of the best! Started my conversion And I have a question for you. some of my wiring from my solar panel are too long. Should I shorten it so it’s easier to zip tied the wires? The wires from panels are 1x2.5 mm (so 13Awg) but my extentions from roof to inside electrical are (8 AWG as per sizing). I kinda need 2 crimping tools (wire size difference) …. Or the metal crimpimg parts are similar size? Any suggestions thanks and keep the good work! I will be following you!

Hey Nate. Is a square crimp ferrule better than a hex crimp? I have heard hex crimps should be used in circle sockets as opposed to square sockets. The Solar panel disconnect you recommend has a circle socket but i noticed you use a square crimp ferrule. Thanks

where do i find larger ferrule crimping tool 2awg for my 100amp mppt, nobody seems help with larger tools or fittings

Greetings Nate, Thanks for ALL the helpful vids! I've learned a lot. Since I have only a couple of wires to do, what's your thought on just tinning the wire? Thanks, Larry

Love this! Nothing I hate more than messy wiring situations. Wondering if there is a more economical way to crimp this ferrules - hoping to avoid buying 3 tools around $30-$40 each.

As an American, I'm not used to using ferrules, and I'm wondering what things, as a DIY guy, that i might do day in and day out, that could benefit from ferrules. For instance, i don't expect to be doing much, if any, 110/120v electrical work, and if I'm doing anything currently, it's simple stuff like 5v/12v/24v LED strips(usually whatever i can get in an all in one kit from Menards or Home Depot), but I'm wondering how these could save me time in the future. Now, don't get me wrong, i know how they help in the DIY (or professional) car audio industry, but that only 1 specialized use case, and I'm just trying to find some things that i might do at some point, that would be something i regularly do, that would work best with ferrules... Yes, i know that if I have to ask, then it's probably something I will never need, but it is still something I would like to know, because currently I can think of only one project I currently have that might benefit from using ferrules, and even then, I would be using at most 8 of them, and obviously 8 isn't really a big enough number to justify having a ferrule crimper on hand for...

Ok, 6 AWG ferrules, but what is the length of the ferrule I should order for Victron 12/12/30 DC to DC charger? Thanks.

Would the tool in the video work for ring connectors or spade ones?

Great video! A question though. Reading the Victron solar charge controller manual, they are very particular about calling out the need for fine stranded wire (even specifying the gauge of each strand) in order for the copper conductor to fully conform to the wire connection clamp, resulting in the highest contact area and lowest resistance. Doesn't using a ferrule in this case reduce the contact area and go against Victron's guidance? I'm very curious on this point. I definitely see where a square crimp would be better than a hexagonal crimp for maintaining surface contact but it still seems the bare strands would provide lower contact resistance? Thanks for your amazing work! I've just discovered it and it will be a great help in expanding the solar/inverter/charging system in my Airstream trailer.

I have Victron controller's will a wire ferrule make it harder for the wire to come luse?

Can you use a wire ferrule crimper to crimp regular insulated wire connectors?

Thank you for all your videos! I am working on a 2019 Sprinter 2500 144 WB crew. I should have bought your kits, but bought a few small Blue Sea components like their breaker box fuse box combo, and a Bestek 2000W inverter. Not sure what I am doing, so did not buy any lithium batteries. Just trying to prewire so need a very basic kit from you: 16awg for MAXX air fan and all connections and outlets you feel necessary for a very simply set up. Solar to be added later, for now I bought Wago 10awg connectors, but that is it. How can I email you and purchase appropriate supplies? Janice Port Angeles, WA

Have you done any comparison videos on the Victron battery and the Battleborn battery?

Hi im an electrical apprentice and was wondering if you could use a normal crimping tool to do this?

I'd like to know the pros and Cons of using a wire ferrule at the vehicle battery with a "Crush" type battery terminal. Sticking raw wire in a port then tightening down an Allen head to crush the loose wire doesn't sound as neat and clean as using ferrule. Also, raw wire where the jacket ends is probably susceptible to moisture or condensation and that'll promote oxidation to the point where You may have to pull it out in a year or whatever and strip it back and re-clamp the fresh wire. So what's wrong with using a ferrule on a 2 AWG cable? Thanks in advance for your reply.-Mike

It’s kind of overkill but when doing commercial work we would use an oxidation preventative. Dissimilar metals with electrical current going through them creates an oxide which is not very conductive. We would twist the copper wires put a very thin coating of ox-gard or like product and then crimp the aluminum ferrules. Like I said it’s probably overkill.

The area these are really needed is when using things like DC mini circuit breakers.

I had thought about soldering the ends but the heat would melt the solder

Hi Nate, thanks for the helpful video, but how do you crimp larger wires, for example 2 Awg or 4/0 Awg please?

Can I use these ferrules to cover the wire going into spring loaded connectors in my home amplifier?

When you wire smaller wires together, in parallel, do you have a favorite way of joining three wires together? Would ferrells work there?

I noticed there's nothing mentioned for larger sizes like 00. Are ferrules still useful at this size? I'm planning an install and I know already that the battery disconnect and the fuse holder are both made for direct wire insert, not lugs/rings.

Is the crimping tool the same kind of tool used for the smaller ferrules . I need to crimp 0awg ferrules for 0 awg gage wire and not sure about the crimper I need to look for ....

Thanks for sharing! Like #92

Hi, which standard we need to refer to check the pull strength of the ferrules?

Can copper ferrules be used on aluminum wire?

This and din rail components make my job like building Lego

How do you crimp 1/0 or 0 gauge ferrules? The standard crimp tools don’t crimp anything that large.

What size Ferrule is needed for a victron 100/30 charge controller

Ok, so now I need a ferule crimper as well... Didn't think about that when I ordered a wiring kit for the upgraded motherboard for my 3d printer. Didn't even know what to call the damn things, I've been looking for something like this for years. Well, maybe not so much looking, but wishing I would stumble across them. Finally did though... Yeah, most things you can just use bare wire, but it's gonna be more durable as well as cleaner and no chance of a stray wire shorting out the circuit. So makes sense, of course they haven't caught on here... The land of illogical bullshit...

Where do you buy your tools?

Nice! I wonder if you could use these without a crimper

Are the ferrules steel or aluminum. I wouldn't think steel would be a good idea b/c of it's resistance (lower conductivity) which would make it heat up when in use.

Great videos. Thank you! Question - my local auto electric guy says I need a 12 Volt to 100 Watt converter in order to charge my solar batteries from my alternator. I purchased the battery isolator linked from your diagrams. It appears the Victron items you install have this charger included in their inverter? I discovered your videos after I purchased another brand. Can you possibly suggest a 12 volt to 100 watt converter?

Have you checked to make sure those are 100% tin plated copper? I’ve seen some reviews on that manufacturer about cheap quality.

Could you do 1/0 cable like that

Dammit I got ferrules but now I need some other crimping tool. This cheap one that u use for crimping terminals doesn't seem to do it.

Would it be a viable alternative just to solder the end of a cable to keep the strands together? 👍

Can you put multiple wires into one ferrule?

Would you suggest using ferrules when using things like ring terminals for a cleaner connection?

Where's the guy from the r/arduino?

Nobody can tell me where to find a octagonal 4 gauge wire crimper like the one shown in this video. They seem to not exist.. problem is I don't want one that smashes them flat I want one that makes a nice round shape

Great video. Having a hard time finding wire ferrule crimp tool for 4 guage.

i remember at work one the wire was touching bc I didn't clean it. the wires touch and the motor started turning, gotta be the scary shit of my life .

I've never used ferrules but they look intriguing. Tinning the wire end with solder accomplishes the same thing and is what I tend to do.

Your blog link doesn’t work. It says this page doesn’t seem to exist.

So after putting the ferral on, the ferral is what's used to make the connection or do i leave enough wire out to wrap around the screw at the connection point?

I did not know about these. I was surprised to find that my Victron Charge Controller had the screw type connections for a 45 amp load and it made me nervous. I'll definitely use ferrules to improve the connection and reliability of the termination. It's a shame that I have to buy a freakin' crimper for four connections. Victron needs to change their design - it's a weak spot.

Is it good to Solder the Ferrules on?

Are they really necessary though? About as necessary as convincing everyone to buy victron. Just saying. I think your presentations are very good but the ferrules thing 🤔

Sounds like porn;) And a rubber for wires and makes sense. I'm going to do this by some connections.

Nah.. I'd rather spend 20 min stuffing a single 4 gauge wire through a silicone dust preventer and have a headache dealing with keeping the fine wires straight.

Or, you could just solder the strands for a DIY ferrule?

Where ferrules are used can i use in cable connecting in charge controller holes / terminals