Written by Andy Neat, Product Manager- Marking & Installation
Do you ever look at a cabinet or panel that needs 500+ terminations made off and the thought of all that crimping makes your fingers ache before you even pick up a ferrule?!
I do know that since I broke my right hand trying to be Goalkeeper for my local football team when I was 21, I now resort to using my left (weaker) hand to crimp as the crooked fingers on my right hand simply aren’t fit for purpose…or at least for squeezing a set of 16mm crimping pliers!
For some time now Phoenix Contact has had solutions for fast, efficient crimping with such revolutionary products as our CF 3000 automatic stripper & crimper, and our unique handheld Crimphandy which does the same job in under 2 seconds. Although these tools are superb at saving you time, money and RSI (repetitive strain injury) sometimes its nice to have a good-old pair of crimping pliers in your tool bag to do things the traditional way!
The good news is that Phoenix Contact has looked at this situation of constant crimping where factors like strength, hand-size and compatibility all play a part in what can become a tiring, over-strenuous and, at times, painful process of the job.
With that said, I introduce you to the new Crimpfox CENTRUS.
“What’s so special?” I hear you cry.
Compared to its older sibling, the Crimpfox 10S, the Crimpfox CENTRUS has been specifically designed to give you 30% less force required to make a crimp of up to 10mm. This makes it easy on tendons and muscles and prevents over-straining or incorrect strain on the hand. Its handle is slimmer at the opening and, by only opening at 40 degrees, make it easier for a smaller hand to grip the plier. When you squeeze the plier, it self-adjusts to the size of the ferrule you are crimping and with its 3 step locking system, the plier will not open again until the optimum crimping pressure is applied. Pretty smart!
Like our older Crimpfox 10S, you may see other crimpers of a similar style to this but none are perfectly balanced like the CENTRUS- in fact, again, it’s up to 30% lighter and 15% smaller than the competition’s offering.
The CENTRUS will crimp sizes of 0.14mm up to 10mm. Now, let’s be honest, crimps at 10mm can take a bit of ‘doing’ (especially for my crooked fingers!) so we’ve applied a rubber gripper on the base of the handle, allowing you lean the CENTRUS on your workbench without slipping enabling you to get that extra bit of leverage, if needed, to make the crimp. There’s a soft rubber applied to only one handle allowing your fingers to move freely along the opposite moving handle to reduce blisters and irritation. This is a very well thought out tool and it even has a unique head protector to save it from drops and knocks in the workshop or on site.
When it comes to crimping a ferrule, it’s easy to think “it’s just crimping”, but not to us. At Phoenix Contact, we take this seriously and are always looking for ways to make your day easier by saving time, money and, more importantly, the risk of RSI.
The Crimpfox CENTRUS is available in:
0.14mm—6mm (Square crimp)
0.14mm—6mm (hexagonal crimp)
0.14mm –10mm (Square Crimp)
0.14mm-10mm (hexagonal crimp)
The Crimpfox CENTRUS, the new standard.
For more information, contact Andy by email: aneat@phoenixcontact.com or telephone 07786 252414.
