Cable Termination Technique — Crimp/Solder/Terminal Reliability

A comparison of the three most commonly used electrical termination techniques in terms of their failure behaviour, relevant during NEN 3140 inspections: a crimp connection, correctly made with the appropriate crimping tool and die for the conductor type/cross-section, produces a gas-tight, cold-weld-like joint with low and stable contact resistance over its service life; a soldered connection can be mechanically and electrically excellent immediately after installation, but is susceptible to creep of the solder under prolonged mechanical vibration or thermal cycling, which can eventually lead to a 'cold joint' with elevated contact resistance; and a screw-terminal connection depends on the applied tightening torque and can gradually loosen under thermal cycling (heating-cooling of the conductor), increasing contact resistance and causing local overheating — the most common cause of installation fires. An NEN 3140 inspector therefore assesses not only whether a connection is tight, but also whether the technique applied and the tool used were suitable for the specific conductor type and cross-section.