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Which is better? The steel screws or copper (brass) ones?

Which is better? The steel screws or copper (brass) ones?

14.Jan 2021
| Blog - Others

Question: I wish to make a top-quality installation. I can see that the copper terminal connectors (bus bars) come with stainless steel screws and washers. I think it is better to use the copper or brass screws. These have much better conductivity and less energy will be lost. Right?

It is true that copper or brass screws have a significantly lower resistance (higher conductivity) than the stainless-steel ones. However, the examination of the terminal connection shows that the majority of the energy is transferred by the contact of the copper connection terminal with the flat areas of the terminal itself. That is why it is very important that both the cell terminal and the copper connection plates (terminal connectors) are perfectly clean without oxidation.

The function of the screws is to tighten the terminal plate to the terminals so that is it permanently fixed. The screws are not to conduct the electric energy that much. If you use the copper (or brass) screws, the material of these screws is softer and you need to apply less torque when tightening-up these screws.

Also, in the case the screws from copper or brass materials are tightened too firmly, the material on the thread may stick with the cell terminal material. After some time, when trying to dissemble the pack, it may be impossible to release the screws, and due to the softness of the material, the screw head may easily brake off, leaving the cell terminal with damaged screw inside the hole.  

GWL/Team strongly recommends using the original stainless-steel screws. Tighten the screws firmly to make a reliable and longtime connection.

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