Connecting three or more wire ends together? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Faringdon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2023, 06:02:43 pm
content: Hi,We've all been there, you want to connect three wire ends together....soldering two together is ok...but when you try to solder the third, the first two come unsoldered....aaaahBut here is the magic way...Just buy a cheap n-way wire to board terminal block....solder its legs together with tinned copper wire......then simply screw in any wire you want in the junction...as many as you have "ways" in the terminal block.Do you have a better way than this?.....(excepting wago connectors which cost a fortune)n-way wire to board terminal blockhttps://uk.farnell.com/camdenboss/ctb5000-3/terminal-block-wire-to-brd-3pos/dp/151790?st=temrinal%20block

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2023, 06:11:02 pm
content: Really?Just twist them before soldering?

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2023, 06:30:27 pm
content: Wago is a fortune? $0.75 in small lots and branded. $0.36 in lots of 100 and branded. Or, use American wire nuts. Perhaps most important, when doing household or machine wiring, they do not create weak points like solder does and meet code (where applicable). Or, use crimp fittings for stranded wire.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2023, 06:35:29 pm
content: Presumably, as this is Faringdon/Treez, insulation is optional.

author: Faringdon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2023, 10:37:57 am
content: Thanks jpanhalt, we are wondering what are "American wire nuts"?https://www.digikey.co.uk/en/products/detail/3m/T%2FR%2BKEG/5129432?utm_adgroup=Connectors%20%26%20Interconnect&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_Supplier_3M_0019_Co-op&utm_term=&productid=5129432&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj96ExbP5_QIViNDtCh3k0wx3EAQYAiABEgJ3kPD_BwE..it doesnt look like you can separate them again later?

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2023, 11:39:28 am
content: Quote from: Faringdon on March 26, 2023, 10:37:57 amThat depends. Do you understand how to undo a right-hand nut from a bolt or screw? If not, then ...I suspect a wire nut can be made so that the twisting force can only be applied one way, but every wire nut I have encountered can be unscrewed. It is not always easy, but it can be done. Reassembling is always easy. In any event, it is easier than unsoldering and then trying to redo the soldered joint.With solid wires, as used in mains wiring, wire nuts work great. Wago types also work. For stranded wire and mixed stranded/solid I prefer Wago-type, but also use wire nuts. The problem with wire nuts and stranded wire is the damage to the wire when needing to reconnect. In any event, it is not as bad as re-doing twisted and soldered (IMHO).

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2023, 12:26:01 pm
content: Wago lever actuated ones are cheaper than your time. I use them everywhere I can.

author: NF6X
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 11, 2023, 12:17:15 am
content: Hi! American here. Yes, our silly wire nuts can be removed and reused. In terms of being cheap and quick and making good connections without fire hazards, they work fine. That being said, I've had a low opinion of them ever since I learned about Wagos. The wire nuts make an ugly chewed-up mess out of the wires they're twisted onto, while Wagos mangle the wire ends a lot less and let you connect/disconnect individual wires without disturbing the others. I suggest selling some kidneys (not your own kidneys, of course!) and investing in Wagos.

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2023, 06:45:46 pm
content: Solder buckets!A few turns of TCW to a suitable diameter, place wires in tube so made, then solder.PS once you go Wago You won't look back!

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2023, 10:12:49 pm
content: Depends on the gauge of wire, and how many. Crimping becomes the cleanest way very quickly. Here's a test crimp from my recent project, I had to join 20x 1mm2 earth and 20x neutral wires. Soldering isn't an option.