Quote:
Originally Posted by MICHAELABICK
Which is usually preferred: compression lugs or regular ring terminals for the PD board and main breaker connections?
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I've usually used the compression lugs, because the right stud and wire sizes come in the kit already, and because they're a lot more durable compared to an ordinary ring terminal—you can get two or three
solid crimps into the compression lug, versus one with a regular terminal.
The disadvantage is that you need to take a lot more care installing them on the PDB, because of the weak studs. Unlike an ordinary ring terminal, which can be flattened by tightening the nut on the stud to get a good contact area, the compression lugs need to be carefully prepared in a vise to ensure that they are flat across the ring, but bend away to clear the PDB housing appropriately. If you don't prepare them, and try to just adjust the lugs as you tighten them, you'll snap the studs off.
(Also, I hate the screw lugs. But if you have to use them, it's vital that you install them properly. Tighten them so that the wire is clamped hard, then push, pull and twist them to try to unseat the connection. Then tighten them again. You'll probably find another quarter-turn. A tiny drop of low- or medium-strength threadlocker on the threads, or a
tinier drop of cyanoacrylate glue on the edge is probably good insurance.)