What is this binding post accessory called? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: HermannsForest
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 10, 2022, 04:32:48 pm
content: I would like to purchase more of these flat metal bars that connect the binding posts of power supplies. I cannot find what these are called, let alone a place to purchase them.They apparently come with BK Precision power supplies. Maybe someone with better Google-Fu can help me.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2022, 04:53:28 pm
content: Binding post shorting bar (or link):https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/pomona-electronics/4115/736747

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2022, 05:59:27 pm
content: egwww.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/Pomona-Electronics/4115?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvxX9Q80wbhCRhfDiQ2USVbbut there must be more makers surely?I think because most dual binding posts are aimed at the audio market.By comparison your bench psu terminals are a special... For currents under 32A crimp your own links.I made my own lifetime supply out of brass on a CNC mill. Cost nothing, time nothing.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2022, 06:12:53 pm
content: The shorting bars are more commonly used on power supplies than on audio equipment, since they allow a quick attachment from one or the other power post (+ or -) to the center ground post. The exact cuts in the bar allow the bar to pivot one way or the other (or to neither post) without falling off the ground post, or to allow complete removal (and loss).

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2022, 11:54:43 pm
content: Standard for binding post spacing is 3/4" center to center. Then there are tons of stuff ready made that will plug right in Banana to BNC / Etc.

author: TomWinTejas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 12:11:44 am
content: Like others have said, Pomona makes some... here's a different model than others have specified:https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/pomona-electronics/5145/737158

author: Xandinator
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 02:45:42 am
content: Paperclips (literally)...You can drill and cut spares from unused CCL.

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 02:56:38 pm
content: The link is not current generally carrying, it just connects force to sense when remote sense is not in use. Then there are those days when some other fancy arrangment is in use so its not sensible to use paperclips. You don't want your links sparking/ exploding (at eye level) before your current trip saves the day.https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=19mm+banana+plug&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=19mm+banana&_osacat=0

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 06:35:57 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on February 10, 2022, 06:12:53 pmActually, they’re really, really common in audio, because of speakers which can be bi-amped: they have two pairs of binding posts, bridged by shorting bars by default.And those of course definitely are current-carrying.

author: Xandinator
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2022, 11:50:51 am
content: Quote from: Terry Bites on February 11, 2022, 02:56:38 pmEven worse: Most of the PSUs in student labs (almost exclusively where I've seen the paperclip "method" being used) don't feature tripping devices. I can understand how this sort of quickfix gets to proliferate throughout the busy course schedules, what I don't get is why you would want to mess with test equipment unnecessarily in the first place - probably the same hooligans walking the street and messing with other people's cars. Neither can I see any reasons à la "Wow so now that's what's been missing on my own PSU at home let's fiddle around and apply five finger discount".