A crimp connection is a type of solderless electrical connection.
Simple crimp connectors are typically used to terminate stranded wire. Specialised crimp connectors are also used, for example as signal connectors on coaxial cables in applications at high radio frequencies (VHF, UHF).
They fulfill numerous uses, including allowing the wires to be easily terminated to screw terminals, fast-on / quick-disconnect / spade-foot type terminals, wire splices, various combinations of these. A tube-shaped connector with two crimps for splicing wires in-line is called a butt splice connector. Crimp-on connectors are attached by inserting the stripped end of a stranded wire into a portion of the connector, which is then mechanically deformed / compressed (crimped) tightly around the wire. The crimping is accomplished with special crimping pliers. A key idea behind crimped connectors is that the finished connection is gas-tight.
Crimped connections fulfill similar roles, and may be thought of similarly, to soldered connections. There are complex considerations for determining which type is appropriate - crimp connections are sometimes preferred for these reasons:
Many classes of crimped connections exist. Some of the most common are:
Crimp connections are used typically to fix connectors, such as BNC connectors, to coaxial cables quickly, as an alternative to soldered connections. Typically the male connector is crimp-fitted to a cable, and the female attached, often using soldered connections, to a panel on equipment. A special power or manual tool is used to fit the connector. Wire strippers which strip outer jacket, shield braid, and inner insulation to the correct lengths in one operation are used to prepare the cable for crimping.