Choose a crimping or pipe tool by the connection you need to make, then check the standards and specifications used in your market. This guide covers electrical terminals, electronic connectors, automotive contacts, PEX and copper press systems.
Four different questions to ask
1. What does the standard cover?
It may specify a terminal, tube, fitting, completed connection or test method. It does not necessarily specify a universal tool.
2. What does the size mean?
AWG and mm² describe conductors; mm may describe diameter. Pipe nominal size may differ from actual outside diameter. Contact size is not wire gauge.
3. Is this exact combination compatible?
Check the component manufacturer's tool, die, jaw, locator and installation requirements against the selected iCrimp model.
4. Is certification required?
A reference to a standard is not proof of product certification or manufacturer approval. Verify any required listing, certificate and installation conditions for the exact product.
Cable lugs, terminals & ferrules
For battery cables, distribution wiring and control panels: identify the terminal part number, copper or aluminum conductor, conductor class, wire size and barrel construction. Then match the specified crimp geometry, die code and number of crimps.
- UL 486A-486B — wire connectors: a North American reference for connectors within its scope. A connector's listing does not automatically extend to every crimping tool.
- UL 486F — ferrules: covers bare and covered ferrules within its scope. Check the ferrule, conductor and receiving terminal requirements together.
- DIN 46228 covers wire-end ferrules; DIN 46235 addresses compression cable lugs for copper conductors. Use the exact part and edition specified by the component supplier; neither number means that all dies are interchangeable. See the DIN standards portal.
Common mistake: choosing a hex die because the number matches the wire size, without checking the lug barrel and prescribed tooling. Insulation colors and approximate AWG/mm² conversions are not a substitute for the terminal specification.
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Electronic connectors & open-barrel terminals
For wire harnesses, controls and small connectors: record the connector brand, series and exact contact part number. Also check conductor size, insulation diameter, strip length and specified conductor/insulation crimp dimensions.
IEC 60352-2:2024 provides requirements, tests and guidance for solderless crimped connections within its defined scope. It is not a universal compatibility chart for every electronic connector or large cable lug.
Do not select by pitch alone. Two connectors with the same pitch can use different terminals and crimp geometries. For JST contacts, the manufacturer's tooling lookup guidance starts with the exact contact part number. Follow the equivalent application specification for TE, Molex or other brands.
For production work, verify the completed crimp against the component's specified inspection and test requirements. A terminal fitting into a die does not establish an acceptable connection.
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Automotive & DEUTSCH contacts
Check the connector series, contact part number, contact size and whether the contact is solid or stamped-and-formed. Then confirm wire gauge, locator and selector setting. Contact size numbers such as 12, 16 and 20 are not AWG wire sizes.
The TE DEUTSCH catalogue identifies different tooling for contact constructions and sizes. Check the current application instructions for your exact part before ordering; a tool marketed for DEUTSCH-style contacts is not automatically suitable for every contact in the range.
PEX: identify the connection method first
PEX is the tubing material, not a single interchangeable joining system. Match the tube, fitting, ring or sleeve and tool as a complete system.
| Connection method | Standard reference | Tool selection |
|---|---|---|
| Copper-ring crimp | ASTM F1807: metal insert fitting specification; check the specified ring/clamp arrangement and edition. | Copper-ring crimp tools. Match nominal tube size and follow the system's inspection/gauge instructions. |
| Stainless steel clamp / cinch | ASTM F2098: stainless steel clamps for specified insert-fitting systems. | Clamp tools. Confirm the clamp type, size and adjustment procedure. |
| Cold expansion with reinforcing ring | ASTM F1960: cold-expansion fitting and reinforcing-ring system. | F1960 expansion tools. Match the approved tubing, ring, fitting and expansion head. |
| Stainless sleeve press | ASTM F877 addresses PEX system performance; it is not one universal sleeve or jaw design. | Sleeve press tools. Confirm the specific fitting system and jaw before purchase. |
Official references: ASTM plastic pipe standards, F2098, F1960 and F877.
Common mistake: treating an inch-size North American PEX tool as equivalent to a metric European or Australian tool after converting the number. Match the actual system specification instead.
Copper press & multilayer pipe systems
Confirm tube standard, outside diameter, wall thickness, fitting brand/series, service and required jaw profile. A profile letter or diameter alone does not establish compatibility. Verify the tool and jaw combination in the fitting manufacturer's instructions.
- North America: ASTM B88 covers copper water tube. It does not establish universal press-tool approval. Compare the exact fitting and tooling instructions; Viega's catalogue/tool matrix illustrates system-specific selection.
- Europe / UK: EN 1057 concerns copper tube, while EN 1254-7 concerns press fittings for metallic tubes. Neither means every metric press jaw is suitable.
- PE-X systems: ISO 15875 addresses PE-X piping systems. Check the actual tube and fitting specification; do not infer multilayer or jaw compatibility from “PEX” alone.
Do not transfer a water-system tool recommendation to gas, refrigeration or another service without explicit system documentation.
North American copper tools · European & Australian pipe tools · Multilayer tools · Australian metric tools
Browse by country or region
These are starting points for research, not a complete list of local requirements. Standards from different systems are not automatically equivalent. Expand your market below.
United States & Canada
For electrical connections, begin with the connector's specified UL/CSA requirements, conductor rating and installation instructions. For pipe tools, distinguish the ASTM PEX joining methods above and copper tube/fitting systems. Check whether a pipe size is nominal or actual OD.
Shop USA & Canada pipe tool categories · Electrical references
Europe & United Kingdom
Look for the exact EN, IEC or DIN reference and edition in the component documentation. Examples include IEC 60352-2 for crimped connections, DIN ferrule/lug specifications and EN copper tube/fitting standards. Confirm local adoption and the manufacturer's tool instructions. “European standard” and “metric” do not identify one universal die or jaw.
Japan / 日本
JIS C 2805 concerns crimp-type terminal lugs for copper conductors and refers to specified connection tools, including manufacturer-designated tools. It is not a blanket standard for every Japanese electronic connector. For JST and other electronic contacts, select by the exact part number and application specification.
Confirm the required edition through JISC or the terminal supplier. Check: terminal type, conductor size, insulation, tool/die identification and crimp requirements.
China / 中国
GB/T 18290.2-2015 addresses solderless crimped connections. The official adoption record identifies IEC 60352-2:2006 as its source edition; do not treat that as automatic equivalence to IEC 60352-2:2024.
Confirm the applicable GB/GB/T reference and edition, terminal drawing, conductor specification and manufacturer-approved tooling for the project. A product described as “national standard” needs an identifiable standard and part specification.
Australia & New Zealand
For pipe connections, verify the local tube dimensions and fitting system rather than substituting a European metric or North American inch-size jaw. Check the applicable Australian/New Zealand standard shown on the system documentation.
In Australia, check whether the plumbing product requires WaterMark certification and verify its listing where required. This does not certify every tool used with it. For New Zealand installations, confirm the local project requirements separately; Australian certification is not a universal statement of New Zealand acceptance.
Browse Australian metric pipe tools. For electrical connectors, use the specified connector/conductor/tool combination and local project requirements.
Before you order: send us these details
Electrical & electronic connections
- Terminal/connector brand, series and part number
- Wire size, conductor material and strand construction
- Insulation diameter and terminal drawing or clear photos
- Required standard, application specification and proposed tool
Pipe connections
- Country and service: water, heating or another application
- Pipe material, standard, marked size and actual outside diameter
- Fitting brand, series, part number and required jaw profile
- Proposed tool, jaw sizes and fitting installation instructions
Email sales@iwiss.com for a compatibility check or contact product support. Include photos of the markings and the component datasheet where available.
About the shopping links: links on this page lead to relevant tool categories, not a certification or approval list. Confirm the exact model and component combination before ordering.
Quick answers
Does matching AWG or mm² guarantee a correct crimp?
No. Barrel geometry, conductor construction, crimp shape and the specified die/locator also matter. Use the terminal's application instructions.
Can one tool work across several countries?
Yes, when its documented tool/die combination matches the specified components. Country of sale alone does not decide compatibility.
Does a standard reference mean an iCrimp tool is certified?
No. This guide explains standards and selection considerations. Product-specific certification or third-party approval must be supported by documentation for that exact model.
Which edition should I use?
Use the edition required by your project, applicable local requirements and component documentation. Check the publisher's current record for revisions; newer editions may have different scopes.
Reference review: 29 October 2026. This is a selection guide, not the full text of any standard. Follow the component manufacturer's instructions and applicable installation requirements. Brand names identify connection systems; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of iCrimp tools.