Proper method to disconnect cable lugs

[Kabelsalat]

Hi.

Today I was trying to save the power switch from a electrical owen. The power switch had 6 contacts, each had a flat cable lug mounted.

Problem was - I had to use force in order to pull the cable lugs off, and when I pulled off the last one - the contact point on the switch broke off, making the switch unusable.

Does somebody hve a bright idea on how to pull off cable lugs, so that they get off by less force?


Thanks.

 

[Bluejets]

Assuming you mean spade terminals, some have a locking tab. Others, just gently pry off using a flat blade screwdriver.

 

[shrtrnd]

I agree with Bluejets. Some of those spade lug terminals have a little 'locking tab' in the center, the purpose
being for a secure connection. They're difficult has heck to get to depress sometimes if you don't have room
to get to them. When I encounter one that I can't get easy access to, I try to be more careful, wiggling the contact to try to loosen it, rather than using brute force to rip it out.

 

[Kabelsalat]

Well, if there is a locking tab that is holding back - I see that it may be very difficult to pull the cable lugs off. There is one more twist on this problem - the cable lugs is covered by shrinking rubber (don't know if that is the correct term), so there is no way of getting access to those - unless I use a minidrill to peel off that rubber.

Ok - I just have removed the rubber - and you guys where correct. The cable lugs do have a locking tab that cannot be accessed without removing the rubber first.

Thank you for answers. Now I know what to look for next time I want to save components from a 230V device.

[edit]
Cannot find a way to set the thread as solved, there is no button for that nor is it possible to edit first post

 

[davenn]

Cannot find a way to set the thread as solved, there is no button for that nor is it possible to edit first post

all good, no problems, doesn't need to be marked as solved

that rubber is heat shrink tubing .... I was very surprised you wanted to use a drill to remove it rather than a few quick nips with side cutters ??

 

[Kabelsalat]

Thanks for the english help

The reason why I would use a drill - I do have a mini-drill, just as the Dremel exept it's a different brand. Using this I hope I could save the cable lugs too - the wires is unusual flexible so I want to save those too. With a coarse grained tip, I will remove rubber only. At lowest possible RPM of course.


[don't read this non-seriously stuff]
a direct word-by-word translation from norwegian would yeld something like "shrinking stockings", and I would probably not have being able to guess the correct term. This is just one of those terms that is pretty much impossible to translate without knowing the exact term in both languages, and a whole lot of those translation would sounds hilarious when improper translated.

Even more OT: cursor just dissapeared (using Firefox) while writing this text.
Cursor get back after reloading page (Ctrl+R), and fortunately I didn't loose any text.
[/don't read this non-seriously stuff]

 

[davenn]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat-shrink_tubing

 

[bushtech]

The unusual flexible wire is probably silicon coated wire. Seriously nice cable

 

[Kabelsalat]

Oh behold: I just found a connector with same kind of cable lugs - exept that the rubber is transparent, I found it possible to press at the correct spot on the heat shrink tube to get the cable lugs to bend the locking tab and release it with little force