Measurement accuracy is a high factor in testing electrical components. Alligator clips, also called crocodile clips, are important components used for battery testing. These tools are used for making temporary connections and help test batteries mostly used for 18650 lithium batteries. They connected with electrical testers or soldering. In this post, we will cover their features and details and find out how to use them. Let’s get started with an introduction to alligator clips.
What is an alligator clip?
- The crocodile clip, or alligator clip, is a plier-like, spring-tensioned metal clip with elongated jaws that is used for making electrical connections.
- It is a simple mechanical device that has a shape like the toothed jaws of an alligator. It is used for clamping and grounding onto bare electrical cable with the lead of the battery.
- The tapered clips, serrated jaws are connected through a spring for gripping objects. The clothespin is a certain type of crocodile clip that has insulated jaws to help make insulated wires connect with a single testing point.
- It helps 4 wire measurements of the circuit through low resistance. If made for electronic testing purposes, one jaw of the clip crimped with wire or bent to make the inner tubular connection of the 4mm female banana jack helps for a non-permanent connection between circuit testing.
- Plastic boot covers the clip to prevent any short circuits.
- Small size in the range of 15 to 40 mm length used for electrical laboratory work. Large-size clips, known as automotive clips, are created with the use of solid copper or low material and used with thick insulated copper cables for making connections between automobile batteries.
How to Use Alligator Clips
The use of alligator clips is based on applications. If you need to use it for holding the object in position, it is a simple process. But using electrical connections needed some more steps that are explained here.
Power Supply Off
- First of all, make sure that the power supply is off; it will help to avoid any electric shock and provide easy handling.
Ready wire
- With the use of a wire stripper for removing plastic insulation at wire ends. Cutting insulation with pressure helps to peel away and expose the inner conductive wire.
Wires Connection with Alligator Clips
Alligator Clip with Screw:
- Put the exposed wire end through the holes at the back side of the alligator clip. Make a small loop about the screw and tighten strongly to make a strong connection.
Alligator Clip without Screw:
- With the use of a crimping plier to crimp wire to clip for a secure connection. Some alligator clips have metal wings that bend about the wire with the use of a plier for connection.
Stronger Connection with Soldering
Heat the Soldering Iron:
- Connect the heat soldering iron to the solder roll for melting. Then apply melted solder to the connection, making for the wire and alligator clips. Wait for the cool down it. Properly handle the soldering iron because if it gets too hot, it will cause damage.
Connection Testing
- Now make the connection. Press the back of the alligator clip for open jaws and connect with the battery or any other testing device.
- With the use of a voltage tester, make sure that the current is passing accurately in the circuit. It helps that the connection is working safely.
Alligator Clips Insulation Materials
Acetate:
- It is heavy-duty, heat-resistant, and best to use for industries and lab uses.
Glass-Fiber Reinforced Nylon:
- It is strong and highly resistant and best for high-temperature conditions.
Molded PVC:
- It is a low-cost option, longer to use, and has good electrical insulation.
Nylon:
- It is also heat resistant, best for different applications due to its durable nature.
PE (Polyethylene):
- It has good insulation features and avoids shocks and short circuits.
Polyamide:
- It is rigid and durable and protects from impact.
PP (Polypropylene):
- It is a strong design and part of industrial uses.
PS (Polystyrene):
- It has resistance for chemicals, so it’s best for labs and industrial applications.
Rubber:
- Its flexible nature helps to avoid electrical shocks.
Silicone:
- It is heat resistant, flexible in design and best for complicated connections
TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer):
- It makes stable connection and a flexible nature helps to use for different devices
Effects on the alligator clips testing results
Contact pressure:
- If pressure is not proper, it can cause poor electrical contact, resulting in incorrect readings. So battery testing is important to make sure that alligator clips offer a stable and strong grip on the testing unit.
Material:
- For the creation of clips, use corrosion-resistant materials to avoid damage to battery terminals.
Conductivity:
- The pure copper has good electrical and thermal conductivity and is the best material for making alligator clips.
Corrosion resistance:
- Pure copper is susceptible to corrosion features, especially for humid conditions.
Uses
- It is used for electrical connections that need high conductivity since it needs surface treatment for increasing corrosion resistance.
Nickel-plated iron alligator clip
Corrosion resistance:
- Nickel plating has good corrosion protection for iron substrate.
Conductivity:
- Nickel comes with good electrical conductivity and is less than pure copper.
Strength:
- The iron base provides mechanical strength and durable features for alligator clips.
Zinc-plated Iron alligator clip
Low cost
- Zinc-plated iron is a low-cost option since it has low prices.
Anti-corrosion:
- Zinc layer avoids iron rusting and provides good corrosion features.
Conductivity:
- Iron has lower conductivity than copper and nickel, and zinc plating affects conductivity at the connection.
Copper-plated iron alligator clip
conductivity:
- The copper plating process provides good electrical conductivity for the iron.
Corrosion resistance:
- Adding copper layers increases corrosion resistance, but not as much as nickel.
How to test an 18650 lithium battery
18650 lithium battery is a cylinder shape, and the dimensions are 18 mm, and the height is 65 mm and is used in different applications such as laptops and solar lights. The testing process for 18650 lithium batteries is explained here.
Voltage test:
- The voltage of the battery was calculated using a multimeter or battery tester. This battery feature helps to find the value of the current state of charge of the battery since the voltage value is based on SOC.
Capacity test:
- The battery capacity is a feature that stores electrical energy and is defined by discharging at constant current down to a preset low voltage cutoff value and total charge discharged defined in milliampere-hours (mAh).
Internal resistance test:
- The inner resistance of the battery is tested with the use of DC or AC for measuring the battery’s inner resistance. The inner resistance of the battery defines battery health; low resistance affects high charging and discharging battery capacity.
Cycling test:
- The battery life cycle is measured through multiple charge and discharge cycles and noted performance changes in a single cycle. That test shows how many charge and discharge cycles a battery faces before affecting performance degradation.
Temperature Test:
- At the time of the charging and discharging process, the battery faces changes in temperature. The battery charge and discharge tests at a regulated temperature help to check battery performance and safety features. This test also helps to make sure that the battery is not overheated and avoids damage.
Types of Alligator Clips
Wired Alligator Clips
- These types of clips are connected with wires and help to make electrical connections. They have different color coding that helps to identify easily.
Miniature Alligator Clips
- It is used for sensitive operations like the connection of small electrical components or for microcircuit boards.
Heavy-Duty Alligator Clips
Designed for environments that require handling higher currents, these clips are typically used in automotive repair or industrial electrical setups, where they can withstand greater force and load.
Insulated Alligator Clips
- These clips come with an insulated covering on the metallic component to avoid electrical connection by mistake and also increase safety at the time of working.
FAQs
How to select the right alligator clip?
- For selection of alligator clips, important factors are uses, material, current capacity, jaw design, and clip with insulating cover. For electronic repairs, small-size clips with low current ratings are used, and industries need larger, heavy-duty clips that can easily handle high currents.
What Are Alligator Clips Made Of?
- Alligator clips are made with nickel-plated iron, copper, zinc-plated iron, and stainless steel. Copper clips have good conductivity and are best for electronic devices. Nickel- and zinc-plated iron clips have low-cost features for mid-level conductivity and corrosion resistance.
- Stainless steel clips are durable features with high resistance to corrosion and are used for harsh conditions.
Do alligator clips have different sizes?
- There are different sizes of alligator clips; small clips are used for normal wiring or jewelry making, offering good accuracy. These smaller-sized clips are preferred for low current and also for sensitive components.
- Large-size clips are used for automobiles, industries, or high-current applications for handling electrical connections.
Why is insulation used on alligator clips?
- Insulation helps to avoid metallic parts exposing alligator clips coming in contact with conductive layers that cause short circuits or electric shock. For high-voltage conditions, the use of insulated clips is good for the protection of the working person and also avoids contact with components.
- Insulated lips are part of electronics testing, and safe handling of clips is needed for circuit measurements. Insulation also offers good grip and increases clips working life.
Can Alligator Clips Handle High Current?
- Alligator clips have features to handle high current if made for these types of uses. Heavy-duty alligator clips are made for handling higher current loads and are also part of vehicles and industrial applications for larger current handling, like welding.
- These clips are larger and made with durable materials that handle high temperature and mechanical stress.
What Is the Maximum Current Capacity of an Alligator Clip?
- Current capacity of alligator based on material, size, and design. Small, low-weight clips have features to handle less amperage, and heavy-duty clips handle high current, about 50 amperes. Check the features of the manufacturers for clip-rated current capacity for use. Using a clip beyond rated capacity causes overheating and any damage.
How to check if an alligator clip is good for any component?
- The use of an accurate alligator for certain component-required size checking and sensitivity of the component is also needed. Such as delicate electronics or small boards, require small current for any damage to components.
- Larger electrical systems use clips that have a high current rating, jaw size, strength of spring, and whether insulation is used for protection of components at the time of testing.
How to find the reliability of an alligator clip connection?
- After making the connection of the alligator clip with the wire, it is important to check the connection’s reliability. The use of a meter for checking clips is required for making accurate connections, and the current flowing through the circuit is defined. If the connection is not accurate, the result will affect work. Make sure that the clips are strongly connected and no loose wire exists.
How to Maintain Alligator Clips Lifespan?
- Accurate maintenance for alligator clips increases working life. To avoid corrosion, do not use clips in moist conditions. Normal cleaning of clips avoids damage. If the spring mechanism is loose or rusted, it also affects gripping strength, so faulty clips need to be changed. Clips used for different conditions, use of protective coating, or storage in dry conditions
Why Do Alligator Clips Get Loose?
- Alligator clips become loose with time because of spring fatigue on metallic jaws. Repeated opening and closing of the clip makes weak springs and reduces the features to grip strongly. Deformation of metallic jaws or corrosion also affects the weak connection. For maintaining a strong grip, proper inspection finds signs of wear.
