DIN compression cable lug or tubular cable lug

DIN compression cable lugs and tubular cable lugs – do you know the difference?
DIN compression cable lugs and tubular cable lugs are “everyday items” for qualified electricians – these variants are ultimately two useful cable lugs for copper conductors. Yet, hardly anyone knows the difference between these two types. We have summarised the most important similarities and differences for you:


The similarities

Both versions consist of electrolyte copper which, in order to protect against oxidation, are usually tin-plated. Both types of cable lug are also available as bare versions. Labels near to the flange contain information about their origin and cross-section capabilities.
The differences
For compression cable lugs according to DIN 46235, applications, dimensions and the designation are specified in normative terms. The standard permits, for example, the use of this cable lug for crimping one, several, fine and super-fine stranded copper conductors for Class 1, 2, 5 and 6 conductors according to VDE 0295. This cable lug can also be used to braid round cables from copper according to DIN 46440. The most distinctive physical difference between this and the tubular cable lug lies in the crimp markings. These markings on the compression cable lug tube indicate the number and the width of the crimping. A distinction is drawn here between broad and narrow crimps. A code is also engraved onto the flange. This number is also located on the dies according to DIN 48083, Part 4, and makes it easier to correctly assign the crimping die.

Tubular cable lugs differ from DIN compression cable lugs mainly in terms of their dimensions – they are usually shorter. This saves copper and hence reduces the purchase costs. The disadvantage is that various models are required for the various conductor classes. This differs from manufacturer to manufacturer and it is therefore necessary to check which tubular cable lug is the right one for the conductor to be crimped. Klauke makes a distinction, for example, between tubular cable lugs for solid conductors, tubular cable lugs for multi-stranded conductors and tubular cable lugs for fine and super-fine stranded conductors.
The processing
For processing cable lugs to DIN 46235, the standard recommends hexagonal crimping dies with internal dimensions according to DIN 48083, Part 4. However, this is not mandatory. This dies are also the most commonly used in practice. Klauke recommends exclusively the hexagonal crimping according to DIN 48083, Part 4.

For processing tubular cable lugs, the recommended tools given by the manufacturer must be observed. There are a number of different crimping profiles, the most common are the hexagonal and indent crimpings. Klauke provides the corresponding references on the order pages and in the technical attachment to the catalogue.

The conductor nominal cross-sections for DIN cable lugs range from 6 to 1000 mm2, for tubular cable lugs from 0.5 to 630 mm2. With DIN compression cable lugs, the diameters for the connecting lugs are suitable for M5 to M20, with tubular cable lugs from M3 to M20.