Panduit KC22-2 Pan-Lug Hex Crimp Die, #2 AWG
Overview
The Panduit KC22-2 is a single hex crimp die designed specifically for #2 AWG Class K flexible stranded copper conductors — the wire gauge commonly encountered in motor lead terminations, panel wiring, and heavy equipment grounding runs. Rather than a general-purpose die, the KC22-2 is engineered to produce a consistent hex-profile crimp on Panduit Pan-Lug™ connectors with the mechanical and electrical integrity that industrial termination work demands. It fits a targeted set of professional-grade tools and is not interchangeable across platforms, so confirming tool compatibility before ordering is the single most important step. If you're building out a termination workflow around CT-3001 or Greenlee EK622L tools, the KC22-2 (often searched as KC22 2) is the matched die for your #2 AWG connector stock.
Key Features
- Hex Crimp Geometry: The hex profile distributes compression evenly across all six faces of the connector barrel, creating terminations with premium electrical contact and mechanical pull-out resistance — more consistent than indent-style crimps on high-flex conductors where conductor movement is a real-world concern.
- Color-Coded Body: Color coding on the die matches the color markings printed on compatible Pan-Lug connectors. On a busy panel bench with multiple die sizes in rotation, this eliminates the most common error in lug termination work — grabbing a 2/0 die for a #2 conductor or vice versa.
- Embossed Die Index on Barrel: After each crimp cycle, the die index number is pressed directly into the connector barrel. This gives you a post-crimp inspection trail — a QC inspector or field engineer can verify the correct die was used without relying on documentation or operator memory.
- Permanently Marked Part Number: The part number is stamped into the die body itself, not on a label or sticker that wears off. After years in a tool bag, you can still identify the exact die, reducing the risk of using an incorrect die after a set gets separated or mixed.
- Black Oxide Finish: The black oxide coating provides corrosion resistance appropriate for shop and panel environments where oils, flux residue, and humidity are routine. It also reduces light glare during close-up termination work in poorly lit enclosures.
- Broad Tool Compatibility: The KC22-2 is verified for use with Panduit CT-3001/ST and CT-3001/CCP, Greenlee EK622L, Schleuniger CT60, and Wezag UP60 — four platforms representing the majority of professional-grade crimping presses deployed in commercial electrical and industrial automation shops. If your tool is not on this list, do not assume compatibility.
- Single-Unit Packaging: Sold individually (package quantity: 1), so you can source exactly the die you need for a specific gauge without committing to a kit that includes sizes you already have.
Integration & Compatibility
The KC22-2 is designed for wire termination accessories within the Panduit Pan-Lug™ tooling ecosystem. Compatible tools are: Panduit CT-3001/ST, Panduit CT-3001/CCP, Greenlee EK622L, Schleuniger CT60, and Wezag UP60. The die performs a hex style crimp on #2 AWG Class K flexible stranded copper conductors only — not suitable for solid conductors, aluminum, or other AWG sizes. Pairing this die with compatible crimping tools and matched Pan-Lug connectors produces terminations that meet the hex crimp standard for electrical and mechanical performance in panel, motor, and grounding applications. If your termination project also involves cable management components downstream, Panduit's broader wire management catalog integrates directly with these termination methods. When selecting dies across multiple conductor sizes for a single project, reference the full range of Panduit crimp die sizes to build a matched set for your tool platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which tools is the KC22-2 compatible with?
A: The KC22-2 is verified for use with Panduit CT-3001/ST, Panduit CT-3001/CCP, Greenlee EK622L, Schleuniger CT60, and Wezag UP60. It is not a universal die — only use it in the listed tool platforms.
Q: What conductor type and size does the KC22-2 work with?
A: The KC22-2 is designed for #2 AWG Class K flexible stranded copper conductors. It is not intended for solid copper, aluminum conductors, or other AWG sizes.
Q: What crimp style does the KC22-2 produce?
A: It produces a hex style crimp, which distributes compression evenly around the connector barrel for consistent electrical contact and mechanical pull-out resistance.
Q: How do I verify the correct die was used after crimping?
A: The KC22-2 embosses the die index number directly into the connector barrel during the crimp cycle. Post-crimp, you can inspect the barrel to confirm the correct die was used — useful for QC documentation on panel or motor termination work.
Q: Is the KC22-2 sold in a kit or individually?
A: The KC22-2 is sold individually with a package quantity of 1. You can order exactly the die you need without purchasing a multi-die kit.
Q: What does the black oxide finish do?
A: Black oxide provides corrosion resistance suited for shop and panel environments where oils, flux, and humidity are common. It also reduces surface glare when working in confined enclosures.
The KC22-2 is one of those tooling accessories that looks simple until you see what happens when the wrong die gets used on a high-flex #2 AWG motor lead — a sub-standard crimp that passes a pull test on the bench and fails under thermal cycling in the field. The embossed die index number on the finished barrel is the spec I point to first: it closes the QC loop without adding a separate documentation step, which matters on high-volume panel builds where a technician is making hundreds of terminations per shift.
Technical Highlights:
- Hex Crimp Profile: Six-sided compression on Pan-Lug connector barrels produces uniform material flow around Class K flexible stranded copper — the conductor construction that sees the most strand separation under vibration. Consistent geometry means consistent contact resistance across every termination.
- Die Index Embossing: The die index number is pressed into the connector barrel at crimp — giving inspectors a physical, permanent record of the die used, not a paper trail that can get separated from the work.
- Black Oxide Finish: Corrosion resistance for the shop floor environment without adding dimensional variation that could affect crimp geometry — a practical finish choice for a precision-fit component.
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm your tool platform before ordering. The KC22-2 is validated for CT-3001/ST, CT-3001/CCP, Greenlee EK622L, Schleuniger CT60, and Wezag UP60 only — using it in an unlisted tool frame risks inconsistent crimp force and voids the intended performance spec.
- This die is rated for Class K flexible stranded copper at #2 AWG specifically. If your project mixes conductor classes or AWG sizes within the same gauge range, you need separate validated dies for each — do not treat this as a close-enough substitute for adjacent sizes.
The KC22-2 is the right specification for industrial panel shops and motor connection work where #2 AWG flexible copper is the dominant conductor and CT-3001 or Greenlee EK622L tooling is already on the bench — environments where post-crimp traceability and repeatable hex geometry are requirements, not options.
