Theory of the effect of torque and re-torque practices on electrical connectors with clamping fasteners

Electrical connectors are widely used in terminating conductors. It is critical that the clamping fasteners which are used are installed with proper torque. The effects of improper torquing have been studied by different experimental methods for many decades. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the importance of torque in an electrical connection. Improperly torqued terminations result in over tight or loose contact points that may cause energy losses, overheating, de-rating of thermal sensors and protective devices, damage to equipment, unnecessary electrical outages or shortened equipment life. The influences of torquing and re-torquing on electrical connections have been studied by using Finite element analysis (FEA).