The world has changed a lot over the last century and a half. Inventions such as the circuit have taken electronics from being an obscure past time to being the centerpiece of modern life. Life as we know it would be impossible without data transmission cables, wires, and connectors to bring together these important parts. One easy, reliable, and quick way to do this is to use crimpers to create the connection.

Crimpers are used to make the connection between two pieces of wire or cable. The crimp is actually a deformity that has been made in one or both cables or wired. One problem that comes from this method of combining two lengths of cable or wire is when the crimpers have not been used correctly. This will mean the connection is not as tight as it could be and that means it will not last as long or do nearly as good a job maintaining the joint’s integrity.

When you are working on crimping, it is important to pick the correct sleeving. There are a few kinds of sleeves that you can select from. Here are the main three:

1. Oval Sleeves:

This is the most prevalent type. They can be made from a number of materials. The most common materials for this type of sleeve are aluminum, brass, and several copper alloys. To use this kind of sleeve, the proper crimpers need to be used. Oval sleeves require a person to use cup to cup crimpers. Using these will create a tight and secure connection that will be able to last. These are very durable and that makes them a great choice. The only caveat is that if you go with aluminum over the copper alloys or the brass, you should take into consideration the conditions the connections may experience. If exposed to salt water, the aluminum has a tendency to corrode faster than the other materials.

2. Double Barrel Sleeves:

Many professionals admit that these are their favorite sleeves. The connection that is made with these sleeves is strong, clean, and made to last. These also provide the added feature of preventing cables or wires from crossing over each other in the joint. This means you can skip getting something else to insulate your cable or wire.

The main drawback to this kind of sleeve is the cost. Double barrel sleeves do tend to cost more, which is why they are less widely used than their oval cousins. At the end of the day, many professionals who opt for the more costly double barrel sleeves will find that they save money in the long run.

These sleeves are similar to the oval sleeves in that they can be made from different materials. Copper alloys, brass, and aluminum double barrel sleeves can be found all over. The crimpers that need to be used to make these connections also have to be of the cup to cup variety.

It is important to note that the same problem found with aluminum oval sleeves can be observed with double barrel sleeves. Of course, this is due to the material itself and not the kind of sleep. Aluminum is great for a number of environments but not all.

There are a few kinds of double barrel sleeves that are available. Depending on the need, there are heavy-duty and standard-duty models. This will change the kinds of materials you can use. If you are looking at heavy-duty models, you can get these made from brass, copper alloys, and aluminum. These sleeves tend to be larger than the standard sleeves. You need to use larger and heavier crimpers for these. If you only need a standard sleeve, your only options are copper alloys and brass.

3. Round Sleeves:

These may not be the best for all crimping, nor are they the “go to” sleeve when creating connections Most often, these are constructed from brass. They generally are pressed with either cup or tip crimpers. They are often used in emergency situations where it is impossible to use a different kind of sleeve and no other option is available.

No matter what kind of sleeve you opt to use or what you want it to be made from, take time to practice with your crimpers.