Small wire joiners - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Factotum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2024, 02:09:30 am
content: Scenario - I frequently need to in-line join pairs of stranded cables around the 24AWG / 0.5mm2size (used for small speakers in temporary installs).I thought of DC barrel jacks (fiddly) and then moved on to XT30 connectors (no back shells) but all of these require soldering.I'm looking to avoid having to solder things for repairs or changes in the field. Crimping a ferrule is a lot easier.I use a ton of ferrules on these cables for other projects when they go in to screw terminal side of other connector systems.Wago type lever nuts seem to be ferrule compatible. I also see a lot of DIN mounted "spring" connectors but not in-line.Is lever the answer? These connectors are inside waterproof sections of housing and primary purpose is to make transport modular and infrequent dis/connect easier.Anything I should be looking at? Thanks!

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2024, 02:49:16 am
content: An old trick used on temporary 100v line systems was to run your cable to the last speaker and tap into it along its run with map pins wherever you wanted another speaker

author: Factotum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2024, 02:54:41 am
content: Yes, a common connection point.Sadly not applicable in this case as single speakers and they need to have long "fly lead" sections where the housing sections are broken up for transport...

author: DaJMasta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2024, 06:12:52 am
content: They're overkill but fairly cheap and easy: insulated disconnect terminals (or just heatshrink over one to keep them apart). They seem to be available down to 24AWG pretty commonly.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2024, 07:30:51 am
content: N.B. a few new variants of Wago-style "lever connectors" have appeared over the last few years. The "inline" type is particularly nice because it fits in a much smaller space than a pair of wagos:I also have some modular single-inline connectors that join together.I'll hazard that these inline types probably are not as safe as traditional single-bus lever connectors. The internal mechanisms do not rely on the plastic (so all the plastic can melt away and the electrical connection remains secure), but now you have the problem of two nearby metal parts shorting together.

author: Factotum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2024, 08:32:04 am
content: I hadn't thought of that - thanks.I have boxes of them but only use them for marine / auto / bigger power stuff.Even less work in the field...

author: MarkL
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2024, 02:09:03 pm
content: Take a look at 3M's Mini-Clamp 371/373 and 37A/37B connector series (plugs and sockets). They are in-line and use insulation displacement (IDC) on the wire entry sides (no stripping needed), and can be ordered with an optional latch to prevent disconnect. The smallest they make is 3-position.https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/c/electronics-components/interconnect-products/input-output-connectors/clamp/I also like the Scotchlok (now called Presslok) UR and UY water resistant IDC butt connectors. Also fast to install. However, they do not disconnect, so you would lose maybe 1/2" of wire each time. Make sure you get a name brand (3M or Corning); some of the look-a-likes I've seen are junk.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2024, 09:37:46 am
content: Quote from: Whales on September 19, 2024, 07:30:51 amThose things are all over Aliexpress, they supposedly have the same power ratings as Wagos but I wouldn't use them for anything beyond low voltage/current applications. One thing they're perfect for is doing multidrop Modbus setups because you can get them in arbitrary fanout configurations, 4->8's are perfect for Modbus use (A/B, PWR/GND).