Looking for a quick connect panel mount connector - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 05:04:17 pm
content: I'm trying to find a quick connect panel mount connector. Something where you can press a button/lever, insert a wire and release the button.Either single terminal or two terminal version would work. No special requirements for voltage/current handling, basically anything will work.So far the best option are the speaker connectors, but they don't feel too robust. They will work in a pinch, but I'd rather use something not so built down to price.

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 05:19:52 pm
content: Would these do?https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-pc/lpt-lever-actuated-pcb-terminal-blocks-and-lpc-lever-actuated-pcb-connectorsWago, Phoenix Contact, Dewert Orkin (Phoenix Mecano), Degson (chinese), Weco (vastly used by WEG)

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 06:38:04 pm
content: No, it needs to be easy enough to operate using normal fingers without tools. Standard terminal blocks are hard to use even in the best case scenario.

author: uer166
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 06:53:02 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on May 27, 2025, 06:38:04 pmhave you actually tried the lever terminal blocks from previous post? They are very easy to use and are very robust.. No tools, and AFAIK my fingers are not abnormal.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 06:59:00 pm
content: How about spring-loaded speaker terminals. Push the cap until the holes line up. Push the wire through and release the cap.Regarding Wago-style connectors like rvalente posted, some of them can be really hard to do with fingers either because they're so close together or because they're so stiff that they can hurt your finger.

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 07:16:45 pm
content: I'd go Wago.aliexpress has lots of knockoff versions I see, works for me.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005795736853.htmlThere's chunky

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 07:21:43 pm
content: Quote from: uer166 on May 27, 2025, 06:53:02 pmI have tried them. Those may need to be reconnected quite often. The small lever on the terminal blocks makes them really hard to use. They are fine for one time connection, but will not work for repeated use. This essentially replaces banana jacks, so use cases are the same as you would have for banana jacks in a typical dynamic lab setup.Those push speaker terminals look interesting. I have not found them during my search. I'll get a few and check them out.

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 07:31:06 pm
content: These Wago connectors are quite neat. Kind of like a conversion between the speaker style connectors, to banana plugs. I don't know if it meets your needs or not.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 07:56:08 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on May 27, 2025, 07:21:43 pmI pulled that picture from Aliexpress. Search for <spring speaker terminal>. The question with them is how strong is the spring and what current levels you need. Higher current levels need lower contact resistance which requires a stronger spring which requires a more robust connector.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 07:58:51 pm
content: Ok, Wago to banana adapters may do the trick. I did not know those existed. I'll get some as well.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2025, 08:07:27 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on May 27, 2025, 07:21:43 pmyou can get them bigger,https://www.digikey.es/en/products/detail/phoenix-contact/1716921/9992680