Abstract: An electrical connector for forming an electrical solder connection comprises an electrically insulating open-ended sleeve 2 which is preferably heat-shrinkable, a pre-installed conductor 5 e.g. for forming an earth connection or for forming a connection to a pcb, and a quantity of solder 3 for forming an electrical connection between the pre-installed conductor and another conductor that is received in the sleeve. The pre-installed conductor has a region of non-uniform cross-section, for example produced by crimping, that will be contacted by the solder when the connection is formed and which increases the force required to pull the two conductors apart.

Abstract: This invention relates to heat-shrinkable devices for forming solder connections between electrical conductors. The devices each comprise of a hollow, heat-shrinkable sleeve having first and second ends, and contain a quantity of solder. Both ends contain heat-softenable sealing material which seal the ends upon recovery of the article, the sealing material at the second end being less responsive to heat than the sealing material at the first end. The conductors to be connected are inserted into the first end of the sleeve and the sleeve recovered. Because the sealing material at the second end does not seal the second end until after the sealing material at the first end has recovered about the inserted conductors at the first end, any hot gases evolved within the article can exit the article via the second end. The invention enables a reliable connection to be made between electrical conductors that are provided with heat-sensitive insulation.