Instruction Sheet
1 of 7
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PRODUCT INFORMATION
1-800-522-6752
This controlled document is subject to change.
For latest revision and Regional Customer Service,
visit our website at www.te.com.
408-1535
12 FEB 16 Rev T
Figure 1
1. INTRODUCTION
Hand Crimping Tools 46673, 46673-1, and 46988 are used to crimp high-temperature and heat-resistant
STRATO-THERM terminals and splices onto wire sizes 22 through 14 AWG.
NOTE
All dimensions on this document are in metric units [with U.S. customary units in brackets]. Figures and illustrations are for
identification only and are not drawn to scale.
Reasons for reissue of this instruction sheet are provided in Section 7, REVISION SUMMARY.
2. DESCRIPTION
Each hand tool features an indenter crimping jaw, an anvil crimping jaw, locator, two insulation crimping
adjustment pins, and a CERTI-CRIMP hand crimping tool ratchet control. The hand tool has the wire size
marked on the BACK side of the tool. The locator positions the terminal or splice between the crimping jaws.
The insulation crimping adjustment pins are used to regulate the crimp height of the insulation barrel sleeve.
The hand tool ratchet ensures full crimping of the terminal. Once engaged, the ratchet will not release until the
tool handles have been FULLY closed. See Figure 1.
NOTE
The crimping jaws bottom before the CERTI-CRIMP hand crimping tool ratchet control releases. This design feature ensures
maximum electrical and tensile performance of the crimp. Do NOT re-adjust the ratchet.
3. CRIMPING PROCEDURE
1. Strip the wire using the recommended strip-length dimensions provided in Figure 2.
TOOL
WIRE
SIZE (AWG)
INSULATION RANGE
STRIP LENGTH
46673
22-16
2.67-3.56 [.105-.140]
5.16-5.94 [.203-.234]
46673-1
1.29-3.56 [.051-.140]
46988
16-14
3.05-4.32 [.120-.170]
Figure 2
PROPER USE GUIDELINES
Cumulative Trauma Disorders can result from the prolonged use of manually powered hand tools. Hand tools are intended for occasional use and low
volume applications. A wide selection of powered application equipment for extended-use, production operations is available.
Hand Crimping Tools 46673,
46673-1, and 46988 for
STRATO-THERM* Terminals
Back Side of Tool
Wire Size Marking
Indenter Crimping Jaw
CERTI-CRIMP* Hand
Crimping Tool Ratchet
Control
Anvil Crimping Jaw
Locator
Insulation Crimping
Adjustment Pins
ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS
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2. To open the crimping jaws, close the tool handles until the CERTI-CRIMP hand crimping tool ratchet
control releases. Not that the tool handles cannot be opened until they are FULLY closed.
3. Push the locator up and, from the FRONT side of the tool, insert the terminal or splice wire barrel
sleeve into the crimping jaws making sure that the edge of the wire barrel sleeve rests against the
locator. See Figure 3 and Figure 4.
4. Close tool handles just enough to hold the terminal or splice within the crimping jaws.
Figure 3
Figure 4
CAUTION
Closing the tool handles too tightly will deform the terminal or splice.
5. Insert wire conductor through the insulation barrel sleeve and into the wire barrel sleeve until it is flush
with the outer edge of the wire barrel sleeve. See Figure 3 and Figure 4.
NOTE
The wire barrel sleeve on high-temperature terminals and splices is color-coded orange. Heat-resistant terminals and splices
are not color-coded. Refer to Figure 5.
Terminal Crimp
Edge of Wire Barrel Sleeve
Resting Against Locator
Back Side of Tool
Wire Barrel
Sleeve
Insert Wire Conductor
Through Insulation Barrel
Sleeve and into Wire Barrel
Sleeve
Terminal Tongue
Through Slot in Locator
Insulation Barrel
Sleeve
Push Locator Up So That
Terminal Tongue Slides
Through Slot in Locator
Splice Crimp (First Crimp)
Wire Barrel
Sleeve
Back Side
of Tool
Edge of Wire Barrel
Sleeve Resting
Against Locator
Open Section of Splice
in Slot in Locator
Insert Wire Conductor
Through Insulation
Barrel Sleeve and into
Wire Barrel Sleeve
Push Locator Up So That
Splice Slides Through
Slot in Locator
Insulation Barrel
Sleeve
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Figure 5
6. Hold wire in place and close the tool handles FULLY to crimp the terminal or splice. Allow tool handles
to open FULLY. Remove the crimped terminal or splice from the crimping jaws.
7. To crimp the other half of the splice, reposition the uncrimped sleeve in the crimping jaws as
described in Step 3. Follow Steps 4 through 6 to complete the crimp.
NOTE
If the splice cannot be turned around to position the uncrimped sleeve in the crimping jaws, turn the tool around.
8. Inspect the crimp. Refer to Figure 6 for a properly crimped terminal and splice. Check the insulation
grip on the crimped terminal or splice. Refer to Section4, INSULATION CRIMPING ADJUSTMENT.
The hashmark code on the bottom of the wire barrel sleeve created by the tool should match the hashmark code referenced
with the appropriate tool. See Figure 6.
Figure 6
4. INSULATION CRIMPING ADJUSTMENT
The hand tool has three insulation crimping adjustment positions to adjust the wire insulation grip: 1-Tight, 2-
Medium, and 3-Loose. To obtain the desired insulation grip, proceed as follows:
1. Insert insulation crimping adjustment pins into Position 3 as shown in Figure 1.
2. Position terminal or splice in crimping jaws as described in Section 3, Step 3.
3. Insert an UNSTRIPPED wire into only the insulation barrel sleeve of the terminal or splice.
Properly Crimped Terminal and Splice
No Wire Conductor
Strands Protruding
Tool 46673 and 46673-1
1 Hashmark
Tool 46988
2 Hashmarks
1 Hashmark on
Bottom of Terminal
2 Hashmarks on
Bottom of Splice
Crimp Centered on
Wire Barrel Sleeve
Splice
Terminal
Wire Barrel
Sleeve
Insulation
Barrel Sleeve
Insulation
Barrel Sleeve
Wire Barrel
Sleeve
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4. Perform a test crimp as described in Section 3, Step 6. Remove the crimped terminal or splice and
check the insulation support. Bend the wire back and forth once. The insulation barrel sleeve should
retain grip on the wire insulation. If the wire pulls out, move the insulation crimping adjustment pins to
the next tighter position (Position 2) and proceed to Step 5. If the wire does not pull out, the pins are
properly adjusted and the tool is ready for crimping.
5. Perform another test crimp as described in Step 4. Adjust pins, as necessary, until the desired
insulation grip is obtained. Do not use a tighter setting than is required.
NOTE
The insulation crimping adjustment pins must be located in the same adjustment position.
5. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION PROCEDURE
It is recommended that a maintenance and inspection program be performed periodically to ensure dependable
and uniform terminations. Frequency of inspection should be adjusted to suit your requirements through
experience and depends on:
The care, amount of use, and handling of the hand tool.
The presence of abnormal amounts of dust and dirt.
The degree of operator skill.
Your own established standards.
The hand tool is inspected and calibrated before being shipped; however, it is recommended that the tool be
inspected immediately upon arrival to ensure that the tool has not been damaged during shipment.
5.1. Daily Maintenance
1. The hand tool should be immersed (handles partially closed) in a reliable commercial degreasing
compound to remove accumulated dirt, grease, and foreign matter. When degreasing compound is
not available, tool may be wiped clean with a soft lint-free cloth. Do NOT use hard or abrasive objects
that could damage the tool.
2. Make certain that the retaining pins are in place and that they are secured with retaining rings.
3. All pins, pivot points, and bearing surfaces should be protected with a thin coat of any good SAE 20
motor oil. Do not oil excessively.
4. When the tool is not in use, keep handles closed to prevent objects from becoming lodged in the
crimping jaws. Store the tool in a clean, dry area.
5.2. Lubrication
Lubricate all pins, pivot points, and bearing surfaces with SAE 20 motor oil as follows:
Tool used in daily production - lubricate daily.
Tool used daily (occasional) – lubricate weekly.
Tool used weekly – lubricate monthly.
Wipe excess oil from tool, particularly from crimping area. Oil transferred from the crimping area onto certain
terminations may affect the electrical characteristics of an application.
5.3. Visual Inspection
1. Close tool handles until ratchet releases and then allow them to open freely. If they do not open
quickly and fully, the spring is defective and must be replaced. See Section 6, REPLACEMENT AND
REPAIR.
2. Inspect head assembly for worn, cracked, or broken jaws. If damage is evident, return the tool for
evaluation and repair. Refer to Section6, REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR.
5.4. Gaging the Crimping Chamber
This inspection requires the use of plug gages conforming to the dimensions provided in Figure 7. TE
Connectivity does not manufacture or market these gages.
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8. With crimping jaws bottomed, check the insulation barrel section of the crimping chamber as
described in Steps 4 and 5.
If the crimping chamber conforms to the gage inspection, the tool is considered dimensionally correct, and
should be lubricated with a THIN coat of any good SAE 20 motor oil. If not, the tool must be returned for further
evaluation and repair. Refer to Section6, REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR.
For additional information regarding the use of a plug gage, refer to Instruction Sheet 408-7424.
5.5. Ratchet Inspection
The ratchet feature on the hand tools should be checked to ensure that the ratchet does not release
prematurely, allowing the jaws to open before they have fully bottomed. Obtain a 0.025 mm [.001 in.] shim that
is suitable for checking the clearance between the bottoming surfaces of the crimping jaws. Proceed as follows:
1. Select the maximum size wire for the tool and a terminal or splice.
2. Position the terminal or splice and wire between the crimping jaws as described in Section 3.
3. Hold wire in place and squeeze tool handles until the ratchet releases. Hold the handles in this
position, maintaining just enough tension to keep the jaws closed.
4. Check the clearance between the bottoming surfaces of the crimping jaws with the 0.025 mm [.001 in.]
shim. If the clearance is 0.025 mm [.001 in.] or less, the ratchet is considered satisfactory. If the
clearance exceeds 0.025 mm [.001 in.], the ratchet is out of adjustment and must be repaired. Refer to
Section 6, REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR.
6. REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR
Customer-replaceable parts are listed in Figure 9. Parts other than those listed should be replaced by TE to
ensure quality and reliability. For customer repair service or to order replacement parts, call 1-800-522-6752, or
fax your purchase order to 717-986-7605, or write to: Customer Service (038-035), Tyco Electronics
Corporation, PO Box 3608, Harrisburg, PA 17105-3608.
7. REVISION SUMMARY
Updated document to corporate requirements
Changed dimensions in table in Figure 2
Added new information to table in Figure 9
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REPLACEMENT PARTS
QTY PER TOOL
ITEM NO.
PART NO.
DESCRIPTION
46988
46673, 46673-1
1
21045-3
RING, Retaining
4
4
2
1-23619-6
PIN, Retaining
2
2
3
39364
SPRING
1
1
4
2-23620-9
PIN, Retaining
1
1
5
21045-6
RING, Retaining
2
2
6
39207
PIN, Insulation Crimping Adjustment
2
2
7
305363
LOCATOR
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