Cable Lugs Selection Guide
Cable lugs are divided into standard and eco, DIN 46235, welded, angled and narrow-entry types, based on how the barrel is made and the shape of the palm.
This guide covers the points to look at when choosing products in the Cable Lugs category.
Cable lug types
The subgroups are divided by how the barrel is made and the shape of the palm.
- Standard and eco type: General-purpose lugs formed from copper tube. The eco type is made from a thinner-walled tube for the same cross-section.
- DIN 46235 type: Compression lugs whose dimensions are set by DIN 46235. The dimensions of standard type lugs differ from these; they are mostly shorter and have a different tube size.
- Welded type: Formed from copper sheet, the joint of the barrel is closed with a brazed (welded) seam; the palm is ring-shaped. It starts at small cross-sections: the first size of the Gwest SKP-KT series is for 0.5-1.5 mm² conductors.
- Angled: The palm is bent 45° or 90° relative to the barrel; used in compartments where the cable cannot approach the connection surface straight on.
- Narrow-entry: Lugs with a narrow palm at large cross-sections; used in switch and device connections where the terminal width is limited. In Gwest product data, the palm width of a 120 mm² lug is 27.7 mm in the standard type and 19 mm in the narrow-entry type.
The main difference between the tube types is wall thickness: in Gwest product data, the barrel inner diameter of a 50 mm² lug is about 10 mm in all three types, and the outer diameter is 12 mm in the eco type, 13 mm in the standard type and 14.5 mm in the DIN 46235 type.
What to check, in order
- Conductor construction. The diameter of a fine-stranded (flexible) conductor can be larger than that of a standard stranded conductor of the same rated cross-section; compare the barrel inner diameter from the product data with the conductor diameter. The welded type made from sheet is for stranded conductors; for a single-core solid conductor, a tube-type lug is used.
- Rated cross-section. The rated cross-section of the lug must be the same as that of the conductor; a barrel chosen too large leaves a gap in the crimp. For cables measured in AWG, you can find the equivalent with the AWG – mm² conversion calculator.
- Bolt hole. Take the size from the connection bolt of the device or busbar. The hole is made slightly larger than the bolt; in Gwest standard type M10 lugs the hole diameter is 10.5 mm.
- Palm width. The palm must fit in the terminal compartment, between the phase barriers and under the terminal cover; compare it with the largest lug width given in the device catalog. If it does not fit, look at the narrow-entry or angled type.
- Crimping die. A lug is crimped with a die suited to its cross-section and type; hand-operated and hydraulic tools are in the lug crimping pliers category. In the DIN 46235 type each cross-section has a code number (for example 10 for 25 mm², 14 for 50 mm²) and hexagonal crimping dies are used for these lugs; choose the die from the tool manufacturer's table by cross-section and this number. The number and order of crimps follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Required standard. If the specification wants a lug whose dimensions are set by a standard, choose the DIN 46235 type. The EN 13600 stated in the product data of Gwest tube-type lugs relates to the copper material the lug is made of.
What the prefixes in the product code mean
In Gwest codes the prefix shows the type: SKP-S standard, SKP-E eco, SKP-D DIN 46235, SKP-KT welded, SKP-DE angled, SKP-DG narrow-entry. In the small sizes of the welded type, the first number in the code is not a single cross-section but a range: size 1 covers 0.5-1.5 mm², size 2.5 covers 1.5-2.5 mm² and size 6 covers 4-6 mm² conductors.
In Konsan product names the cross-section and bolt size are written separately: Skp-25 M12 is for a 25 mm² conductor and an M12 bolt. In Isıso names the cross-section and hole diameter are given in millimeters (such as 50 mm², Ø10.5 mm).
The difference between a lug, a ferrule and an insulated cable terminal
All three are crimped onto the conductor end; the difference is where they are connected. A lug is for busbars and device terminals tightened with a bolt and nut. Cable ferrules prepare a flexible conductor for the clamping seats of terminal blocks and devices; they have no bolt hole. Insulated cable terminals are ring, fork, pin and blade terminals with an insulating sleeve. Where an aluminum conductor will be connected to a copper busbar, bimetal lugs are used.
Brands in this category
- Gwest: Has products in all five subgroups; DIN 46235 type, angled and narrow-entry lugs are available only under the Gwest brand. The product data includes barrel inner and outer diameter, hole diameter and palm dimensions.
- Konsan: Lists standard type, eco type and round welded type lugs.
- Isıso: Lists SKP lugs with code IJG; the cross-section and hole diameter are in the product name.
Ordering notes
- Gwest and Isıso lugs, and Konsan eco type and welded type lugs, are sold by the pack (box): enter the number of packs in the quantity field. Check the pack contents on the product page. Konsan standard type lugs are ordered by the piece.
- A few of the Konsan products are listed as lead-time items; for these, the delivery time is confirmed at the time of the order.
- You can find a product directly by typing the manufacturer code (such as SKP-S 120-12, KSNSKPS-01005, IJG 50-10) into the site search.
Cable Lug and Ferrule Types Comparison Table
| Connector Type | Conductor Size and Stud Size | Material and Construction | Typical Application | Category Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubular Copper Cable Lug (SKP) | 6 mm² – 300 mm² · M6 / M8 / M10 / M12 | Tin-plated electrolytic copper (DIN 46235 / standard) | Bolted power terminations on breakers, busbars and transformers | Tubular Cable Lugs |
| Insulated Ring / Fork Terminal | 0.5–1.5 mm² (Red) · 1.5–2.5 mm² (Blue) · 4–6 mm² (Yellow) | PVC / PA insulated tinned copper | Control panel screw terminals and relay connections | Insulated Cable Lugs |
| Bootlace Ferrule (Single & Twin) | 0.25 mm² – 50 mm² | Crimped sleeve preventing fine strand splaying | Fine-stranded wire termination into MCBs, PLCs and terminal blocks | Wire End Ferrules |
| Bimetallic (Al-Cu) Lug & Butt Splice | 16 mm² – 400 mm² | Friction-welded aluminum barrel + copper palm | Galvanic-corrosion-free connection of aluminum cables to copper busbars | Cable Lugs |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a standard type and a DIN 46235 type cable lug?
The dimensions of DIN 46235 type compression lugs follow the standard, and these lugs carry marks on the barrel showing where to crimp. The dimensions of standard (SKP) type lugs vary by manufacturer; they are mostly shorter and have a different tube size. In Gwest product data, the barrel outer diameter of a 50 mm² lug is 13 mm in the standard type and 14.5 mm in the DIN type. If the specification calls for DIN dimensions, the DIN type is chosen.
How does an eco type cable lug differ from the standard type?
An eco type lug is made from thinner-walled copper tube for the same rated cross-section. In Gwest product data, the barrel inner diameter of a 50 mm² lug is about 10 mm in both types, and the outer diameter is 13 mm in the standard type and 12 mm in the eco type; the bolt hole options are similar. Which type is sufficient for the connection is determined from the project and manufacturer data.
How does a welded type cable lug differ from the other types?
A welded type lug is formed not from tube but from copper sheet; the joint of the barrel is closed with a seam and the palm is ring-shaped. In small sizes one lug covers several cross-sections: in the Gwest SKP-KT series size 1 is for 0.5-1.5 mm², size 2.5 for 1.5-2.5 mm² and size 6 for 4-6 mm² conductors. This construction is for stranded conductors; for a single-core solid conductor, a tube-type lug is used.
What tool is used to crimp a cable lug?
A lug is crimped with lug crimping pliers that have a die suited to its cross-section and type, or with a hydraulic press; squashing it with flat pliers or a hammer does not seat the barrel properly on the conductor. A hexagonal die is used for DIN 46235 type lugs and each cross-section has a code number, for example 14 for 50 mm². For the number and order of crimps, the instructions of the lug and tool manufacturer are used as the basis.
Where is a narrow-entry cable lug used?
The palm of a narrow-entry lug is kept narrower than that of a standard lug at large cross-sections; in Gwest product data, the palm width of a 120 mm² lug is 27.7 mm in the standard type and 19 mm in the narrow-entry type. It is used in switch and device connections where the terminal compartment or the phase-to-phase distance is narrow. Compare the palm width with the largest lug width given in the device catalog.
Can a copper cable lug be fitted to an aluminum cable?
The lugs in this category are copper and are listed for copper conductors. If an aluminum conductor will be connected to a copper busbar or copper terminal, bimetal lugs with an aluminum barrel and a copper palm are used; these are in a separate category. In selection, the conductor's cross-section and construction and the crimping die specified by the manufacturer are used as the basis.