Overview of products from BM Group

Firstly, it needs to be stressed that the BM Group products can be divided into two groups, i.e. hand tools, such as pliers and wrenches, and accessories for electric and power installations (terminals, sleeves). The latter group also includes tools for handling installation and mounting elements, e.g. crimpers. All these products are included in our catalogue and are mostly available directly from our warehouses, thanks to which we can dispatch them to you really quickly. We have provided detailed parameters for these products in the catalogue, so if you are interested in specific models, just follow the link below and take a closer look at the assortment available in our on-line shop. If you’d prefer a more general description of the BM Group products, the overview presented in this text will be a perfect choice.

This article focuses on the following issues:

• Tools for electric installation work
• Terminals for earthing and high-current connections
• Different types of crimping tools and insulating sleeve sets
• Popular electric installation components
• Mechanical components offered by BM Group

Hand tools

Although BM Group offers a multitude of diverse tools, we will focus on the most important and at the same time most extensive product range by this manufacturer, i.e. wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers. First of all, let us stress here the fact that, except for the classic open-ended spanners, all these products are available in insulated versions designed for electric installation work, which means that their handles are insulated and profiled (preventing the user’s hand from slipping onto metal parts). As far as pliers are concerned, our product catalogue includes a wide range of precision pliers with a long nose, both in straight and bent versions, which facilitate handling elements in tight spaces in switchboxes and other enclosures. A similar protective design is also applied in cutting (side) pliers for copper, aluminium and steel wires, as well as universal combination pliers and adjustable tools (monkey wrenches). Insulated screwdrivers rated for voltages reaching 1 kV AC can be purchased individually or in sets. They are available with Phillips, Torx, Pozidriv, flat and hex blades. BM Group also supplies screwdrivers with sockets for socket bits and 1/4 inch bits. Obviously, the assortment also includes screwdriver/voltage tester combinations (typical model with a neon indicator). As far as open-ended spanners, open-ended ring spanners and adjustable wrenches are concerned, the supplier offers a wide variety of popular solutions designed to tighten screws and bolts with hex heads up to 22 mm.

BM1195     Set of insulated screwdrivers designed for electro-technical work

Terminals

BM014001      Zinc-plated copper Type C side terminal

High-current connections, such as earthing connectors and other connectors for power system protection features, usually require using special accessories, i.e. terminals. They usually have two functions, as they ensure the largest possible contact area between the conductors, and at the same time they increase this area, which results from the fact that they are usually made of metals demonstrating good conductivity parameters. Thanks to that, they create robust, corrosion-resistant and low-resistance connections. BM Group offers a large number of such solutions, including two product groups.

Screw terminals

These terminals are designed with one or two slots. In the former design, the conductors are pressed against the rounded lower surface of the semi-open U-profile – here, predominantly Allen bolts are used to make the connection. The latter design uses two grooved lumps of metal clamped with hex bolts . Both these terminals are made of brass, i.e. material that is hard enough to deform a typical wire (conductor) when fully compressed, thus minimising the connection resistance.

Type C side terminals

Type C side terminals ensure slightly faster installation, however, in contrast to the products described above, they do not form removable connections. They are crimped using special tools (described below). Apart from ensuring efficient operation, they reduce system installation costs, which is particularly important in cases when extensive earthing systems must be connected. BM Group offers such terminals made of copper, for conductor cross-sections from 6 mm² to 240 mm². Note also that they can be easily fastened in tight and hard-to-reach spaces.

Connector crimpers and sleeve sets

Clamping sleeves in electric (mains) systems facilitate the installation of flexible and unbreakable cord cabling. The purpose of a sleeve is to fix individual conductor fibres in such a way that they do not delaminate during installation in screw terminals, i.e. when making connections in terminals located in sockets, switches, relays, overcurrent circuit breakers, etc. In order to ensure optimum sleeve clamping, proper tools, i.e. crimpers, must be used. BM Group supplies such tools: in an automated version (in which the jaws can be opened only after full crimping of a sleeve), straight version (pliers), and with long arms and an ergonomic lever to handle large-diameter sleeves and clamps as well as wires of cross-sections up to 120 mm². The TME product catalogue also includes tools with replaceable dies. Note also that in our product catalogue you will find sleeve sets with insulating flanges that greatly improve connection safety. In addition to the components themselves, such sets comprise a transportable plastic box with compartments and a compatible crimping tool. This means they meet the needs of numerous typical applications, and are a perfect complement to the basic equipment used by installers, electricians and other technicians working with power circuits.

BM00412      Convenient organiser with a set of sleeves and a compatible crimping tool

Cable accessories

BM Group specialises in cable accessories, so this is one of the most extensive product groups offered by this company and included in the TME product catalogue. See below for three product groups included in this assortment: cable glands offering a high protection class and mechanical resistance; a wide range of plastic and metal band clamps; and diverse heat-shrink tubes designed for work and repairs in the field of electronic equipment, electric systems, and also for industrial machinery and domestic appliance servicing.

BM2509   Cable glands

BMN1576  Band clamps

BMGBA090SNE      Heat-shrink tubes

Cable glands

The cable glands from BM Group are designed with universal applications in mind, as they can be used with virtually any enclosure/box where wires must be routed without compromising the interior integrity. They are particularly suitable for switchboxes located outdoors or in damp rooms, etc. In most cases, cable glands ensure the IP68 class of protection (fully dust-proof, high resistance to flooding). They are made of plastic (polyamide) or nickel-plated (corrosion-protected) brass, thus ensuring not only the much needed tightness, but also resistance to mechanical factors. Note also that selected cable gland models can operate in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 120°C. The manufacturer offers solutions for cable diameters from 3 mm to 45 mm.

Band clamps

The band clamps are divided into a few product groups. Firstly, these are classic cable ties, i.e. disposable plastic fasteners. Next, there are 125 mm to 840 mm long and 4.6 mm or 7.9 mm wide metal clamps. Due to their extensive thermal tolerance range (from -60°C to 300°C), they are used in locations with extreme temperatures, e.g. hydraulic systems, cooling systems, HVAC installations, central heating systems, heating system exhaust lines, etc. BM Group also supplies a selection of holders to fix cables (using a cable tie) to various surfaces. There are two methods used to install such accessories, i.e. by guiding a screw through a dedicated fixing hole or with the use of self-adhesive tape fixed to the underside of holder, the latter method definitely causing much less damage. Note also that the TME product catalogue includes Velcro ties provided by this supplier, which are perfectly suitable for quick or temporary wire harness management.

Heat-shrink tubes

The BM Group product range also includes heat-shrink tubes. Their primary diameters range from 1.2 mm to 102 mm, with the shrinkage factor of 2:1 or 3:1. Moreover, selected products come with an adhesive layer. Such tubing is available in 1 to 12 m long sections or in 25 to 200 m long rolls. The latter solution is a perfect choice for electric and electronic service centres or manufacturing plants.

Mechanical components

BMQHEP02506      25-millimetre supporting insulator rated up to 1 kV

So far, this text has mostly focused on tools and accessories for work on electric  systems. However, it must be stressed that the BM Group product offering comprises far more products for other diverse applications. For instance, it also includes spacers, i.e. metal sleeves (M4, M5, M6 threads and length from 12 mm to 80 mm), and plastic (polyester) spacers which have insulating properties (similar sizes, but length up to 120 mm). Other similar products offered by this manufacturer include support insulators, used to mount live (or potentially live) components without transferring the potential to the surface to which they are attached. This makes it possible to protect workers and bystanders in machinery parks and other industrial plants thanks to safe installation of power supply/distribution/energy lines and points. The length of these accessories ranges from 16 mm to 75 mm (M4 - M12 threads) and are rated for voltages up to 1000 V. The TME product catalogue also includes BM Group’s cable gland seals made of NBR rubber that is resistant to numerous chemicals (e.g. diluted acids and bases, brake fluids, etc.). They are 2 mm and 3 mm long, and compatible with cable glands with M12 to M63 threads, from PG7 to PG42.