Crimping tools are routinely used to make connections that meet industry standards for both electrical and voice/data/video (VDV) installations of video surveillance, alarm and building control systems.


When the user applies force, the crimping tool makes a permanent connection by compressing a connector around stripped wire or cable or by pushing cable into a connector designed to cut though or displace insulation to connect to the conductor.


While some crimper models may be used for both electrical and VDV work, there is a good selection of crimpers and connectors designed for datacom twisted-pair copper and coaxial cable connections.


Battery-assisted crimpers are available for larger electrical cable, but most technicians perform VDV work with manual tools.


The connector type dictates the crimper type.


“First is the wire, then the connector, and the crimper used must be compatible with the connector,” said John Phillips, product and marketing manager at Platinum Tools. “New crimpers are developed to meet changing requirements.


“In the past two years, we’ve seen more and more 10-gig/Cat 6a and Cat 7 applications. These types of cables require specific connectors and termination tools. Some of these type of connectors are designed with insulation displacement contacts and require no crimp tool, but tools to prep the cable are still necessary.”


Platinum offers 24 crimping tool models for VDV connections, including a model for 10-gigabit shielding connectors specifically for Cat 6a cables; other all-in-one crimpers; ratcheted and nonratcheted models; four-way, eight-point and 12-point indent crimp tools; compression tools; and open- barrel contact crimpers. In addition to crimpers, Platinum Tools markets connectors, punchdown tools, cutters, strippers and testers.


Chris Niklas, Klein Tools product manager, said the primary crimping tool design for VDV and electrical applications has traditionally been the ratcheting crimping frame with interchangeable die sets.


“These crimping tools work well,” Niklas said, “but tend to be bulky, heavy tools with many moving parts. Additionally, they require a separate die set for each function. So, while the tool is capable of crimping many types of connectors, it is often impractical because of the multiple die sets required, the cost of the die sets and their limited availability—most distributors do not stock these and only have them available as a custom order.”


Niklas said a dedicated crimper model has historically not been suitable for both VDV and electrical work.


VDV crimpers are typically manually operated, sometimes ratcheted tools, Niklas said. VDV connectors do not require significant force to properly connect to the cable. Therefore, battery-assisted tools are not needed.


Most professionals view battery-assisted VDV crimpers as an unnecessary cost, weight and complexity that they would prefer to avoid.


“On the twisted-pair side of VDV, there are crimpers with multipurpose functionality already, and we see that continuing,” Niklas said. “On the coaxial side, the mechanics of the tasks do not lend themselves to a multipurpose tool that meets our standards for reliability, ease of use and cost.”


Niklas said that the emergence of power over Ethernet (PoE) has created a market where dedicated crimpers can do both VDV and electrical work.


“PoE is a technology where category cabling carries low-voltage electricity and intelligent control from a source (typically a network switch or a control/management device) to a controlled device,” Niklas said. “These controlled devices range from lighting and security cameras to access control and HVAC systems. PoE applications are quickly gaining momentum and prominence with new advances in smart technologies. Modular crimpers—a traditional VDV crimping hand tool—have become necessary to install these systems because category cabling utilizes RJ-45 style connectors.”


VDV hand tools are continually evolving.


“In the past year, Klein has introduced a more compact, modular crimper that adds wire diagram helper charts to the tool and a more precise lateral crimping mechanism for better connections,” Niklas said. “On the coaxial side, we have added connector guides to the crimp cavity for quicker more precise adjustments on both of our adjustable coax compression crimpers.”


Long a supplier of tools for electricians, Klein Tools’ selection for VDV applications includes an all-in-one modular ratcheting crimper/stripper that cuts and strips several types of cable; a compact ratcheting modular crimper for data and voice cables; a ratcheting crimper frame using optional dies for electrical, security, satellite and home theater systems; and VDV tool kits.


ICC offers manual crimpers designed to crimp modular plugs for voice and data applications as well as compression connectors for audio and video applications.


“These types of plugs and connectors are very common within the industry,” said Luis Garcia, marketing communications manager. “Crimps can be made in seconds, so speed is not an issue, and battery-assisted features are not really necessary. Adding battery-assisted features would increase cost, and this is not ICC’s business model. We like to offer premium and reliable products with proven performance at affordable prices.


These three-in-one, ratchet-style crimping tools cut, strip and crimp modular plugs on either round or flat cables.


“Incorporating basic related functions in crimping tools makes them more versatile and saves installers from purchasing multiple tools,” Garcia said. “Stripping and cutting cable features are very important. Not all cable is designed the same, so it is important that the tool has various widths and cutting and stripping options. Steel, knife-like blades and indicators measure how much cable to cut and strip.


“Changes we have made to our crimpers have been in two areas: cost and comfort. We have designed and added a compression tool to our line that is smaller and lighter in weight. It can crimp the same style of connectors as our big and heavy-duty version. This reduces our cost, which we can pass on to the installer,” Garcia said.


Greenlee has introduced a new compact battery-powered crimper designed to crimp 28–4 AWG wire and twisted-pair and coaxial cable. The lightweight (2.2 pounds) tool requires 90 percent less hand force and works three times faster when compared to ratchet crimp tools, said Mike Lotko, product manager, Greenlee.


“This allows the assembly of cables or wires, which transmit signals or electrical power, to be done more effectively and efficiently,” Lotko said. “We also designed the tool with PowerSense technology that allows the user to hold work in the jaws of the tool before crimping for added convenience and accuracy.”


Citing U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, he said that 29 percent of injuries in the marketplace are caused by repetitive motion resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome.


“Many manual crimpers are hard to grip and require a lot of repetitive force,” Lotko said. “In fact, the average force for performing a crimp with many manual ratcheting tools is over 50 pounds.”


In addition to crimpers and crimper dies for twisted-pair copper and coaxial cable, Greenlee offers a wide selection of tools for VDV installation and maintenance, including connectors, punchdown tools, wire cutters, strippers, and tools for basic electrical work.