Compression Lug, Die & Tool Cross-Reference
One System. Any 12-Ton Tool.
Every Lug Matched to Its Die.
Every Conversions Tech compression lug is dimensioned to the industry-standard die index system — the same index numbers and color codes used by Burndy®, Milwaukee®, Thomas & Betts®, ILSCO® and Panduit®. Crimp with our tools and dies, or with the 12-ton U-groove tooling already on your truck. Either way, the chart below tells you exactly which die to use.
How Die Matching Works
Compression lugs across the industry share one crimping language: a die index number and a color code tied to conductor size. Match the number on the lug barrel to the number on the die, and any UL-recognized 12-ton U-groove tool completes the connection.
Read the barrel
Each CT lug is stamped with its conductor size and die index (e.g. 1/0 AWG → index 42, pink).
Pick the die
Use the CT U-type die for that size — or the matching-index die from Burndy, Milwaukee, T&B or ILSCO you already own.
Load a 12-ton tool
CT crimpers and all standard 12-ton U-groove tools (Burndy Y750/PAT750, Milwaukee M18™ 2779, Greenlee, ILSCO) accept these dies.
Crimp & verify
The die embosses its index into the finished crimp — instant, inspectable proof the right die was used.
Conversions Tech Crimping System
Professional 12-ton tooling at distributor-direct pricing — typically 30–60% below the big-brand equivalent, using the same U-groove die interface.
PowerProFlex 12T Battery Crimper
- One-hand battery crimping for panel and field work
- Accepts standard 12-ton U-type dies
- Positioned against Milwaukee M18™ FORCE LOGIC™ 2779 and Burndy PAT750 class tools
PRO6000 2-in-1 Crimper + Cutter
- Crimp and cut without swapping tools
- Ideal for solar, battery-bank and service-truck kits
- Fraction of the cost of carrying two dedicated battery tools
ProCrimp 12T Manual Hydraulic
- The workhorse: full 12-ton force, no battery to charge
- Same U-die pocket as tools costing 5–6× more
- Best value entry into die-type compression
19-Piece U-Type Die Kit
- Full catalog coverage in one case — including 1000 MCM, beyond most 16-pc brand kits
- Individual CT dies just $54.99 vs. ~$150+ typical brand-name die pricing
- Fits CT, Burndy Y/PAT-series, Milwaukee M18™ 12T and other 12-ton U-groove tools
Master Cross-Reference: Lug → Die → Tool
Find your conductor size. The row gives the CT lug families that cover it, the industry die index and color, the CT die to use, and the equivalent die from each major tool brand. Every row crimps in any standard 12-ton U-groove tool.
| Conductor | CT Lug Families* | Die Index | Color Code | CT Die | In CT 19-pc Kit | Burndy® U-Die | Milwaukee® 12T Die | ILSCO® Die | T&B® Color-Keyed® |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 AWG | LB 1-hole | — | — | Ratchet/indent† | — | Hand tool† | Hand tool† | Hand tool† | Hand tool† |
| 8 AWG | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 21 | Red | CTTY-8AWG · $54.99 | ✓ | U8CRT | 49-12-U008 | ILD-21 | Index 21 |
| 6 AWG | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 24 | Blue | CTTY-6AWG · $54.99 | ✓ | U5CRT | 49-12-U006 | ILD-24 | Index 24 |
| 4 AWG | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 29 | Gray | CTTY-4AWG · $54.99 | ✓ | U4CRT | 49-12-U004C | ILD-29 | Index 29 |
| 3 AWG | SB & LB, 1-hole | per barrel‡ | — | CTTY-3AWG · $54.99 | ✓ | U3CRT | use marked die‡ | use marked die‡ | use marked die‡ |
| 2 AWG | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 33 | Brown | CTTY-2AWG · $54.99 | ✓ | U2CRT | 49-12-U002C | ILD-33 | Index 33 |
| 1 AWG | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 37 | Green | CTTY-1AWG · $54.99 | ✓ | U1CRT | 49-12-U001C | ILD-37 | Index 37 |
| 1/0 AWG | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 42 | Pink | CTTY-1/0 · $54.99 | ✓ | U25RT | 49-12-U01AC | ILD-42 | Index 42 |
| 2/0 AWG | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 45 | Black | In 19-pc kit | ✓ | U26RT | 49-12-U02AC | ILD-45 | Index 45 |
| 3/0 AWG | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 50 | Orange | In 19-pc kit | ✓ | U27RT | 49-12-U03AC | ILD-50 | Index 50 |
| 4/0 AWG | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 54 | Purple | CTTY-4/0 · $54.99 | ✓ | U28RT | 49-12-U04AC | ILD-54 | Index 54 |
| 250 kcmil | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 62 | Yellow | In 19-pc kit | ✓ | U29RT | 49-12-U250C | ILD-62 | Index 62 |
| 300 kcmil | LB 1-hole, SB 2-hole | 66 | White | In 19-pc kit | ✓ | U30RT | 49-12-U300C | ILD-66 | Index 66 |
| 350 kcmil | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 71 | Red | In 19-pc kit | ✓ | U31RT | 49-12-U350C | ILD-71 | Index 71 |
| 500 kcmil | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 87 | Brown | In 19-pc kit | ✓ | U34RT | 49-12-U500C | ILD-87 | Index 87 |
| 600 kcmil | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 94 | Green | In 19-pc kit | ✓ | U36RT | 49-12-U600C | ILD-94 | Index 94 |
| 700 kcmil | SB 1-hole | per barrel‡ | — | In 19-pc kit | ✓ | use marked die‡ | use marked die‡ | use marked die‡ | use marked die‡ |
| 750 kcmil | SB & LB, 1 & 2-hole | 106 | Black | CTTY-750 · $54.99 | ✓ | U39RT | 49-12-U750C | ILD-106 | Index 106 |
| 1000 kcmil | SB 1-hole | 115 | Yellow | In 19-pc kit | ✓ | U44RT | — (above 12T kit range) | ILD-115 | Index 115 |
*SB = short barrel, LB = long barrel. †10 AWG lugs are typically installed with a ratchet/indent hand crimper rather than a 12-ton die tool. ‡Non-standard index sizes: always crimp with the die number stamped on the lug barrel. Cross-referenced brand die numbers are provided for tooling convenience; Burndy®, Milwaukee®, ILSCO®, Thomas & Betts® and Panduit® are trademarks of their respective owners and are referenced for compatibility identification only. Always verify the die index stamped on the connector barrel before crimping.
How CT Tooling Stacks Up
Same 12-ton force. Same U-groove die interface. Same embossed, inspectable crimps. The difference is distributor-direct pricing.
| Capability | CT ProCrimp 12T $328.90 |
CT PowerProFlex 12T $3,575 |
Milwaukee® M18™ 12T class | Burndy® Y750 / PAT750 class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimp force | 12 ton | 12 ton | 12 ton | 12 ton |
| Die interface | Standard U-groove | Standard U-groove | Standard U-groove | Standard U-groove |
| Copper range | 8 AWG–500 kcmil | 8 AWG–≈750 kcmil | 8 AWG–750 kcmil | 8 AWG–750 kcmil |
| Power | Manual hydraulic | 18V battery, 360° head | 18V battery | Battery / manual |
| Uses CT $54.99 dies | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (U-groove) | ✓ (U-groove) |
| Typical tool investment | Under $350 | $3,575 | Often $4,500+ street | Often $5,000+ street |
| Full-range die kit | CT 19-pc, 8 AWG–1000 MCM — $1,650 | 16-pc kits typically $2,000+ | Brand die kits typically $2,000+ | |
Competitor street pricing varies by supplier and configuration; figures shown are typical market ranges for comparison, not quotes.
Buy the lug. Buy the die. Or bring your own tool.
Every CT compression lug is tin-plated electrolytic copper, rated 90°C / 600V, dimensioned to the industry die index — so it crimps correctly in the tooling you already trust. Volume, contractor and distributor pricing available on every SKU on this page.
Cross-Reference FAQ
Can I crimp CT lugs with my Milwaukee or Burndy crimper?
Yes. CT lugs are dimensioned to the industry-standard die index system. Load the matching-index U-groove die (see chart above) in any 12-ton U-groove tool — Milwaukee M18™ 12T, Burndy Y750/PAT750 series, Greenlee, ILSCO or T&B die-type tools — and crimp per the number and location of crimps marked on the barrel.
Can I use CT dies in my brand-name crimper?
CT U-type dies use the standard 12-ton U-groove form factor and fit tools that accept industry U-style dies. At $54.99 per die and $1,650 for the full 8 AWG–1000 MCM kit, most crews recoup the cost against brand-name die pricing within the first few sizes.
How do I know which die to use if the sizes overlap?
Trust the barrel. Every compression lug — ours and every major brand's — is stamped with the die index for its barrel. Match that number to the die, and the die embosses the same number into the finished crimp for inspection.
How many crimps does each lug need?
Follow the crimp count and positions marked on the lug barrel: typically one crimp on small AWG sizes, two or more on large kcmil and long-barrel lugs, starting nearest the tongue and working toward the wire entry.
Are the lugs rated for my application?
CT compression lugs are tin-plated electrolytic copper, 90°C, 600V-class, for use with Class B/C stranded copper conductors, with UL/CE listings noted per product page. For fine-strand (flex/DLO/welding) cable, contact us — flex-class conductors require different die sizing than code conductors.
