Ferrule Crimper Guide by AWG: 20-12 to 4 AWG

Ferrule Crimper Selector

Ferrule Crimper Guide by AWG: Fine Wire to Heavy 4 AWG

A ferrule crimper matches its AWG range and crimp profile to the wire you actually terminate, from 26 AWG control leads to heavy 4 AWG power conductors. This guide names the exact Z+F tool for your gauge, feed direction, and crimp shape.

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Matched by AWGEvery tool listed by its exact single and twin ferrule range.

Right crimp shapeTrapezoid, hex, square and indent: know which your spec calls for.

Twin-ferrule readyMost models crimp two conductors into one collar.

Code-rated crimpsSeveral meet EN 60947-1 compliance for IEC panel builds.

Quick answer

Choose a ferrule crimper by the exact AWG range you terminate: the K70ZA000110 covers 20-12 AWG control wire, mid-range tools like the K70ZA000113 handle 20-10 AWG, and for heavy work the K70ZA000117 crimps 10-4 AWG while the K70ZA000116 goes up to 4-1 AWG. Then decide whether feed direction, crimp shape, or EN 60947-1 compliance matters. Always confirm the twin-ferrule range separately, as it runs smaller than the single range.

Find the Right One in 30 Seconds

Tell us your wire and how you work, and we'll name the exact tool.

1. What AWG range do you crimp most?

2. Any special requirement?

Which One Should You Buy?

Find the row that matches your setup:

Your situation	Our pick	Why
Panel wiring almost entirely 20-12 AWG, single and twin	Z+F K70ZA000110 20-12 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping ToolK70ZA000110	One trapezoid profile covers 20-12 single and 22-14 twin with no dial-in.
Mixed control wiring 26-10 AWG, want to feed from front or side	Z+F K70ZA000111 26-10 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping Tool, w/ Omega Style SpringK70ZA000111	Rotatable die plus omega spring: one die, low effort, full range.
Same 26-10 range but a simpler tool with rotatable die	Z+F K70ZA000146 26-10 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping ToolK70ZA000146	PZ 6 Roto L feeds front or side across 26-10 AWG single.
20-10 AWG needing gauge-specific profiles	Z+F K70ZA000113 20-10 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping ToolK70ZA000113	Five discrete profiles give a correctly sized crimp per gauge.
High-volume front-feed crimping, 20-10 AWG	Z+F K70ZA000109 20-10 AWG Front Feed Crimping ToolK70ZA000109	Dedicated front feed and omega spring for fast repetitive work.
26-8 AWG where a hex crimp is specified	Z+F K70ZA000145 26-8 AWG Hex Crimping ToolK70ZA000145	Produces a true hex crimp across the full 26-8 AWG range.
26-8 AWG where a square crimp is specified	Z+F K70ZA000150 26-8 AWG Square Crimping ToolK70ZA000150	Square profile for connections requiring that geometry.
10-6 AWG power leads, EN 60947-1 crimp required	Z+F K70ZA000114 10-6 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping Tool, Orange HandleK70ZA000114	Three profiles, EN 60947-1 and VG 95211 compliant, one-hand use.
10-4 AWG feeders and larger control power	Z+F K70ZA000117 10-4 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping ToolK70ZA000117	Four profiles span 10-4 AWG single, 12-8 twin.
Heavy 4-1 AWG power conductors	Z+F K70ZA000116 4-1 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping ToolK70ZA000116	Indent crimp handles 4-1 AWG single, 6 AWG twin: the largest range we carry.

How to Choose

Start with your largest and smallest wire, then narrow by feed and crimp shape.
- 20-12 AWG control wiring on one profile: K70ZA000110, no dial-in.
- Finer wire to 26 AWG plus a rotatable die for front or side feed: K70ZA000111 (omega spring, low effort) or K70ZA000146, both 26-10 AWG.
- Front-feed only, 20-10 AWG, PZ3 crimp: K70ZA000109.
- 20-10 AWG with gauge-specific profiles: K70ZA000113 (five profiles).
- A distinct crimp shape on 26-8 AWG: K70ZA000145 (hex) or K70ZA000150 (square).
- 10-6 AWG power with EN 60947-1 crimps: K70ZA000114 (orange) or K70ZA000115 (gray), three profiles each.
- 10-4 AWG: K70ZA000117 (four profiles).
- Heaviest, 4-1 AWG: K70ZA000116 (indent crimp).
Match the range first, then decide whether feed direction or crimp shape matters to your workflow.

Our Recommended Products

These are all Zoller+Fröhlich (Z+F) hand crimpers. The only decisions that matter are wire gauge, single vs twin ferrules, feed direction, and crimp geometry. Compare specs below:

Z+F K70ZA000110 20-12 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping Tool

Product Code: K70ZA000110

Best for: 20-12 AWG control wiring, single profile, no adjustment

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Z+F K70ZA000111 26-10 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping Tool, w/ Omega Style Spring

Product Code: K70ZA000111

Best for: 26-10 AWG mixed work, rotatable die, low effort

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Z+F K70ZA000146 26-10 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping Tool

Product Code: K70ZA000146

Best for: 26-10 AWG with rotatable front/side feed

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Z+F K70ZA000113 20-10 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping Tool

Product Code: K70ZA000113

Best for: 20-10 AWG needing five gauge-specific profiles

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Z+F K70ZA000109 20-10 AWG Front Feed Crimping Tool

Product Code: K70ZA000109

Best for: High-volume front-feed crimping, 20-10 AWG

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Z+F K70ZA000145 26-8 AWG Hex Crimping Tool

Product Code: K70ZA000145

Best for: 26-8 AWG jobs requiring a hex crimp

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Z+F K70ZA000150 26-8 AWG Square Crimping Tool

Product Code: K70ZA000150

Best for: 26-8 AWG jobs requiring a square crimp

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Z+F K70ZA000117 10-4 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping Tool

Product Code: K70ZA000117

Best for: 10-4 AWG single, 12-8 twin, four profiles

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Z+F K70ZA000114 10-6 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping Tool, Orange Handle

Product Code: K70ZA000114

Best for: 10-6 AWG power leads, EN 60947-1, orange handle

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Z+F K70ZA000115 10-6 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping Tool, Gray Handle

Product Code: K70ZA000115

Best for: 10-6 AWG EN 60947-1 crimps, gray handle

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Z+F K70ZA000116 4-1 AWG Single & Twin Ferrule Crimping Tool

Product Code: K70ZA000116

Best for: Heavy 4-1 AWG power conductors, indent crimp

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How a ferrule crimper works

A wire ferrule is a thin metal tube, usually copper with a tin or electro-tin finish, often fitted with a colored plastic entry collar. You strip the conductor, slide the ferrule over the bared strands to the shoulder, then close the crimp dies over the metal barrel. The dies deform the barrel around the strands, creating a gas-tight bond and a rigid pin.

Strip only to the ferrule barrel length. Bare copper past the barrel is exposed and can short to adjacent terminals.
Seat the wire fully so no strands sit outside the collar.
Crimp once, cleanly; the ratchet or omega spring completes the cycle before it releases.

The resulting pin drops straight into screw, spring-clamp, or push-in terminal blocks without strand splay, and holds up under panel vibration far better than a bare stranded end.

How to size a ferrule crimper by AWG range

Every tool here is defined by its AWG window. Buy for the full range of wire you handle, not a single gauge.

26-12 AWG control wiring: K70ZA000110 (20-12, one profile) or K70ZA000111 / K70ZA000146 (26-10, rotatable die).
20-10 AWG mixed: K70ZA000113 (five profiles) or K70ZA000109 (front feed).
26-8 AWG with a required crimp shape: K70ZA000145 (hex) or K70ZA000150 (square).
10-6 AWG power: K70ZA000114 / K70ZA000115 (three profiles, EN 60947-1).
10-4 AWG: K70ZA000117 (four profiles).
4-1 AWG: K70ZA000116 (indent crimp).

Note the twin ferrule ranges are smaller than the single ranges on the same tool. Always check the twin spec if you double conductors.

4 gauge ferrule crimper: single tool vs range coverage

Heavy conductors need enough mechanical advantage and a die profile built for the larger barrel. Two tools reach 4 AWG:

K70ZA000117 (Crimpit F 25 L): 10-4 AWG single, 12-8 AWG twin, four crimp profiles. Best when 4 AWG is the top of a range that also includes 10-6 AWG.
K70ZA000116 (Crimpit F 50 EN): 4-1 AWG single, 6 AWG twin, indent crimp, states EN 60947-1 and VG 95211 registration, 9.842" long for extra leverage. Best when you routinely terminate 2 and 1 AWG feeders.

If all your heavy wire is 4 AWG and below, the K70ZA000117 is the efficient single choice. Reach for the K70ZA000116 only when you cross above 4 AWG.

Feed direction and crimp profiles explained

Two mechanical features separate otherwise similar tools. First, feed direction: front-feed tools (K70ZA000109) accept the ferrule from the tool's face, which suits repetitive bench work. Rotatable-die tools (K70ZA000111, K70ZA000146) let you feed from the front or the side, which is useful in tight enclosures or when working off a strip of pre-loaded ferrules.

Second, profile count. Single-profile tools (K70ZA000110) crimp the whole range with one die shape (simplest, no thinking). Multi-profile tools (five on the K70ZA000113, four on the K70ZA000117, three on the K70ZA000114/115/116) index to a gauge-specific pocket, giving a tighter, correctly-shaped crimp per wire size. Choose single-profile for speed and mixed gauges; multi-profile when crimp quality per gauge is audited or spec-controlled.

Z+F ferrule crimpers at a glance

Code	Single AWG	Twin AWG	Crimp style	Notable feature
K70ZA000110	20-12	22-14	Trapezoid	Single profile, whole range
K70ZA000111	26-10	22-12	Trapezoid	Rotatable die, omega spring
K70ZA000146	26-10	22-12	Trapezoid	Rotatable die, front/side feed
K70ZA000113	20-10	18-12	Trapezoid	Five profiles
K70ZA000109	20-10	22-12	PZ3	Front feed, omega spring
K70ZA000145	26-8	—	Hex	Hex crimp
K70ZA000150	26-8	—	Square	Square crimp
K70ZA000114	10-6	12-8	Trapezoid	EN 60947-1, orange handle
K70ZA000115	10-6	12-8	Trapezoid	EN 60947-1, gray handle
K70ZA000117	10-4	12-8	Trapezoid	Four profiles
K70ZA000116	4-1	6	Indent	EN 60947-1, VG 95211, 9.84"

Common Mistakes (and the Fix)

✗ Buying a tool for one gauge instead of the range you actually run

✓ Check both your smallest and largest wire, then pick the tool whose AWG window covers both.

✗ Assuming the twin ferrule range equals the single range

✓ Read the twin spec separately, it's typically one to two gauges smaller than the single range.

✗ Stripping too much insulation so bare copper sits past the ferrule collar

✓ Strip to the ferrule barrel length only; the collar should meet the insulation, with no exposed copper past the barrel.

✗ Using a trapezoid tool where a hex or square crimp is specified

✓ Follow the terminal or drawing spec: choose the K70ZA000145 (hex) or K70ZA000150 (square) when required.

✗ Ignoring crimp compliance on IEC panel builds

✓ Specify EN 60947-1 tools (K70ZA000114/115/116) when the panel is built or audited to that standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a ferrule crimper and why do I need one?

A ferrule crimper compresses a metal sleeve (ferrule) onto stranded wire so it presents a solid, gas-tight pin for terminal blocks and disconnects. It stops strand splay, prevents loosening under vibration, and is required by many panel standards (and often local electrical code) for stranded conductors landing in screw or spring-clamp terminals.

Which ferrule crimper do I need for 4 AWG?

For 4 AWG, use the K70ZA000117 (10-4 AWG range) or the K70ZA000116 (4-1 AWG). If 4 AWG is the top of a range that also includes 10-6 AWG, the K70ZA000117 is the single-tool choice. If you also crimp 2 and 1 AWG feeders, choose the K70ZA000116 indent crimper.

Is there a ferrule crimper 4 AWG that also handles smaller wire?

Yes. The K70ZA000117 spans 10-4 AWG single ferrules with four profiles, so one tool covers 4 AWG plus lighter power wiring down to 10 AWG. To go above 4 AWG (to 2 and 1 AWG), step up to the K70ZA000116.

What's the difference between single and twin ferrules?

A single ferrule terminates one conductor; a twin ferrule joins two conductors side by side in one collar, common when bridging or looping terminals. The twin ranges listed here run a step or two smaller than the single range on the same tool (for example, the K70ZA000110 does 20-12 AWG single but 22-14 AWG twin), so always check the twin spec before you double conductors.

Trapezoid, hex, or square crimp: which should I choose?

Trapezoid is the general-purpose default across most Z+F tools and works with standard DIN terminal blocks. Hex (K70ZA000145) and square (K70ZA000150) shapes exist because certain specs or connectors call for a symmetrical crimp. Match the crimp shape your drawing or terminal manufacturer requires; otherwise trapezoid is fine.

Do these crimpers work with insulated (plastic collar) ferrules?

Yes. Nearly every model states it accepts ferrules with or without plastic/insulating collars. The die is sized to the metal barrel, so the collar is unaffected, just insert the wire to the shoulder before crimping.

What does EN 60947-1 compliance mean for a crimp?

EN 60947-1 is the IEC low-voltage switchgear standard; a compliant crimp meets its requirements for a secure, repeatable connection. The K70ZA000114 and K70ZA000115 offer EN 60947-1 crimps, and the K70ZA000116 meets EN 60947-1 and VG 95211 registration, which matters for panels built to IEC standards or audited to those specs.

Terms Worth Knowing

Ferrule: A metal sleeve crimped over stranded wire to form a solid pin for terminal blocks.
Twin ferrule: A ferrule with one collar sized for two conductors terminated together.
Insulated ferrule: A ferrule with a colored plastic entry collar that guides strands and covers the barrel end.
Trapezoid crimp: General-purpose crimp shape that squeezes the barrel to a four-sided profile.
Indent crimp: A crimp that presses a notch into the barrel, used on heavy 4-1 AWG ferrules.
Omega spring: A spring mechanism that completes the crimp cycle with less hand effort.
EN 60947-1: IEC low-voltage switchgear standard defining requirements for secure crimped connections.
Rotatable die: A crimp die that turns so ferrules can feed from the front or the side.

Written by the Products for Automation parts team · Last reviewed September 16, 2026 · Prices and stock on this page update live.