If you are trying to replace a compression lug, the safe answer is rarely “same size, different brand.” A Burndy, Panduit, ILSCO, T&B, NSI, or Penn-Union lug may look close from the outside, but the correct cross-reference depends on conductor material, conductor size, barrel length, hole count, stud size, hole spacing, tongue angle, palm width, plating, listing, tool, die index, and number of crimps. This Burndy Panduit cross reference guide explains what to match before you order a replacement lug.
For immediate sourcing, start with the Connectors category, then check available compression lug inventory, Burndy compression lugs, Panduit compression lugs, and ILSCO compression lugs where product pages exist.
What a compression lug does
A compression lug terminates a conductor to equipment, a bus bar, a terminal pad, a grounding point, or another electrical connection. It is crimped onto the conductor using an approved tool and die combination. The finished termination depends on the lug, the conductor, the crimp tool, the die, and the installation instructions working together.
That is why a compression lug cross-reference is not just a brand comparison. You are not only replacing metal. You are replacing a listed termination system.
Compression lug cross-reference checklist
Use this table before asking for a cross-reference. If one of these details is missing, the replacement may be delayed or misidentified.
What to check | Why it matters | Example |
Manufacturer | Different brands use different part-number systems, barrel styles, and tool charts. | Burndy, Panduit, ILSCO, T&B, NSI, Penn-Union |
Conductor material | Copper and aluminum lugs are not automatically interchangeable. | CU, AL, AL/CU, bi-metallic |
Conductor size and class | The lug must match the wire size and conductor class approved by the manufacturer. | 4 AWG, 1/0, 4/0, 250 kcmil, 500 kcmil, Class B/C |
Barrel type | Standard barrel, long barrel, short barrel, and heavy-duty lugs can require different crimp counts. | Short barrel, standard barrel, long barrel |
Hole count | One-hole and two-hole lugs mount differently and may be required by the equipment pad. | 1-hole, 2-hole, 4-hole |
Stud / bolt hole size | The lug hole must fit the equipment stud or bolt. | 1/4 in, 5/16 in, 3/8 in, 1/2 in |
Hole spacing | Two-hole lugs must match the pad spacing. | 5/8 in, 3/4 in, 1 in, 1-3/4 in |
Tongue angle | The angle affects clearance and equipment fit. | Straight, 45°, 90° |
Palm / tongue width | The lug must fit the landing pad without interfering with adjacent terminals. | Narrow tongue, standard tongue, wide tongue |
Tool and die index | The crimp must be made with an approved tool/die combination. | Burndy U-die, Panduit CD die, ILSCO die chart |
Listing and approvals | The replacement must meet the job, equipment, and AHJ requirements. | UL, CSA, UL 486A-486B, manufacturer instructions |
For product-level sourcing, start with the Connectors category, then confirm any matching compression lug product page against the full nameplate, conductor size, hole pattern, and installation requirement.
A lug cross-reference is a starting point, not approval. Do not install a Burndy, Panduit, ILSCO, T&B, NSI, or Penn-Union lug based on appearance or brand similarity alone. Match the conductor, barrel, hole pattern, tongue, tool, die, listing, equipment instructions, and AHJ requirements before installation."
How to identify a Burndy compression lug
Burndy compression lugs are commonly identified by the catalog number, conductor size, barrel type, hole count, stud size, tongue style, and die index. Burndy documentation also uses die-index charts to identify the correct compression tooling path for specific connectors.
When replacing a Burndy lug, do not assume that a similar Panduit or ILSCO part is correct because the wire size matches. Match the full physical configuration and the crimp requirements. If the Burndy label or box is missing, clear photos of the lug body, barrel, tongue, holes, and any stamped markings are important.
If you are sourcing this through JW Electrical Supply, check available Burndy lug inventory and related electrical wire and cable connectors before treating the part as unavailable.
How to identify a Panduit compression lug
Panduit Pan-Lug compression lugs are usually identified by series and configuration. For example, Panduit part numbers can reflect whether the lug is copper, one-hole, two-hole, standard barrel, long barrel, narrow tongue, angled tongue, or an expanded wire-range option.
The key detail is the tool chart. Panduit installation documents and tool catalogs list compatible Panduit, Burndy, and other tool/die options for specific compression products. Not every lug works with every tool, and some larger connectors are excluded from certain tool frames. The tool and die are part of the cross-reference, not an afterthought.
For sourcing, compare the part against available Panduit lug inventory, Panduit compression connectors, and equivalent connector pages where JW has stock.
How to identify an ILSCO compression lug
ILSCO Surecrimp compression lugs are often identified by conductor size, hole count, bolt size, hole spacing, barrel length, tongue angle, sight window, plating, and UL/CSA listing. Some ILSCO product data also shows compatibility sheets for specific 12-ton tool families and die systems.
When cross-referencing ILSCO to Burndy or Panduit, the conductor size is only the first filter. A 500 kcmil two-hole long-barrel lug with 1/2-inch holes and 1-3/4-inch spacing is not the same as a 500 kcmil one-hole narrow-tongue lug. The landing pad decides much of the replacement.
During sourcing, check ILSCO lug inventory, Surecrimp compression lugs, and related connector products before moving to a different brand.
Burndy vs. Panduit vs. ILSCO: do not cross them by name alone
A buyer may search Burndy, Panduit, and ILSCO together because they need a replacement quickly. That does not mean the brands are directly interchangeable in every application. The right way to cross-reference is to match the lug function and installation details first, then confirm whether another manufacturer offers a suitable equivalent.
Lug family | What it usually means | Replacement approach | What JW needs |
Burndy compression lug | Common industrial copper/aluminum compression termination | Match catalog number, conductor, barrel, holes, tongue, die index, and listing | Part number, photos, conductor size, hole spacing, tool/die info |
Panduit Pan-Lug | Panduit compression lug or connector family | Match Panduit series, conductor, tongue style, hole pattern, and approved crimp tool | Part number, series, label, installed photos, tool chart if available |
ILSCO Surecrimp lug | ILSCO copper or aluminum compression lug | Match conductor, barrel length, hole count, bolt size, spacing, angle, and listing | ILSCO catalog number, conductor size, pad layout, photos |
T&B / Blackburn / Color-Keyed lug | Another common industrial compression lug family | Match connector type, color/die system, conductor, hole pattern, and listing | Catalog number, die color/index, photos, equipment pad details |
Unknown compression lug | Worn label, older inventory, or unlabeled part | Start with photos and measurements before selecting an equivalent | All markings, conductor size, barrel length, hole size, spacing, tongue style, deadline |
What information to send for a compression lug cross-reference
Before ordering a replacement, collect the information below. This makes the cross-reference faster and reduces the risk of quoting the wrong lug.
- Clear photo of the lug body and any stamped markings
- Original manufacturer and catalog number
- Conductor material
- Conductor size and class
- One-hole or two-hole configuration
- Stud / bolt hole size
- Hole spacing if two-hole
- Barrel length
- Straight, 45-degree, or 90-degree tongue
- Standard, narrow, or wide tongue
- Tool and die currently specified or used
- Equipment pad or terminal photo
- Quantity needed
- Project deadline or shutdown date
During this check, compare the information against available compression lug inventory, Burndy compression lugs, Panduit compression lugs, and ILSCO compression lugs.
When an equivalent compression lug can still be sourced
A discontinued or hard-to-find lug is not automatically impossible to replace. Many compression lugs are still available through new, surplus, new-surplus, obsolete, or unused inventory. In some cases, another manufacturer may offer a suitable equivalent if the full physical and listing requirements are matched.
Sourcing an original or equivalent lug may make sense when the equipment is still in good condition, the job has a short shutdown window, the landing pad requires an exact hole pattern, or the project does not allow time for equipment modification. JW Electrical Supply can help check available options based on the part number, photos, measurements, and job requirements.
When a lug replacement may not be enough
Sometimes the lug is only one part of the problem. If the equipment terminal, pad, conductor, insulation, bus, enclosure, or grounding arrangement is damaged or modified, replacing the lug may not solve the issue. In that case, the job may require equipment review, a different termination method, or manufacturer/AHJ approval.
Do not force a lug to fit a landing pad it was not designed for. If the hole spacing, tongue width, conductor material, or crimp requirement is wrong, the connection can fail even if the lug looks close on the bench.
Get help cross-referencing a compression lug
Have a Burndy, Panduit, ILSCO, T&B, NSI, Penn-Union, or unknown compression lug to replace? Send JW Electrical Supply the catalog number, lug photos, conductor size, hole pattern, tool/die information, and equipment pad details. We can help identify the unit and check available new, used, surplus, obsolete, or new-surplus replacement options.
Browse connectors in stock or send us your lug photos and part number for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Start with the manufacturer, catalog number, conductor material, conductor size, barrel length, hole count, stud size, hole spacing, tongue angle, tool, die index, and listing. Do not cross-reference by wire size alone.
Sometimes, but not by assumption. The replacement must match the conductor, barrel, hole pattern, tongue style, tool/die requirement, equipment instructions, and listing requirements for the installation.
No. Copper, aluminum, AL/CU, and bi-metallic lugs have different material ratings and installation requirements. Always match the lug to the conductor and equipment requirements.
A die index identifies the die or crimp profile used to make the compression connection. It helps verify that the installed lug was crimped with the correct tool and die combination.
Send the full catalog number, manufacturer, conductor size and material, photos of the lug, barrel length, hole count, bolt size, hole spacing, tongue style, tool/die information, quantity, and deadline.
Yes. JW Electrical Supply can help check available new, used, surplus, obsolete, and new-surplus compression lug options when the correct identifying information is provided.