Final answer:
A wire crimper is used when a secure electrical connection is needed, such as grounding an appliance to prevent electrical shock, where it ensures a solid connection between the wire and grounding terminal.
Step-by-step explanation:
A wire crimper is a tool used to join two pieces of metal wire or a connector to a metal wire by deforming one or both of them to hold each other. The process of crimping is often used to create a strong, reliable connection in both electrical and network cables. You would need to use a wire crimper in situations where a secure electrical connection is required. For example, attaching a connector to the end of a wire to plug it into a network or another electrical source. This is essential in safety-critical electrical systems, such as grounding a kitchen appliance to prevent the risk of electrical shock, particularly where water may provide a good connection to ground.
In the context of grounding an appliance, the crimper ensures a solid connection between the ground wire and a grounding screw or terminal, which is crucial for safety because a loose connection might prevent the circuit breaker from tripping in the event of a fault. In such circumstances, socket wrenches or a power drill may also be helpful tools to remove or secure the components needed to establish the ground connection before using the crimper on the wire.