Electrical connectors

[Bandit Mick]

This may be a silly question but I need confirmation of what I’m doing. Am using electrical screw connectors to connect my DCC bus wires to droppers - the type that come on a strip but can be cut into separate connectors. In some places I have more droppers to connect and therefore the twisted wires are quite thick. Can I sometimes use different sized connectors ie bigger ones to accommodate the extra wires? Sorry if I seem a bit thick but I don’t want to have to go back and redo work as I am having to work underneath my boards which is quite difficult. Thank you for your help.

[Brian]

Hi
Yes, no problem with that. Just ensure the larger connector blocks grub screw grips all the wires e.g. normally use 5Amp terminals but occasionally use 10Amp ones.

[Bandit Mick]

Thank you for your prompt reply Brian - much appreciated. Have a good evening.

[Brian]

This is one method I use then all blocks are the same size

[Tricky Dicky]

The only issue with stuffing several wires into one terminal is if you need to separate the wires for either maintenance or alteration you have to disconnect all, unravel all and possibly finding yourself having to re-strip the ends.

It is much better particularly from the point of fault finding for each wire to be terminated separately. This can be done with a standard terminal strip commoned by looping wires on one side of the strip. Alternatively, you could use something like these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384863882775

They are basically terminal strips with a commoning bar. The bars can be cut down so you only need to common as many terminals as needed likewise you can common several positive and negative terminals on the same strip. They are also available in several different lengths.

Richard

[RogerB]

I’ve been looking at something like these from here.

[IanS]

The only issue with stuffing several wires into one terminal is if you need to separate the wires for either maintenance or alteration you have to disconnect all, unravel all and possibly finding yourself having to re-strip the ends.

It is much better particularly from the point of fault finding for each wire to be terminated separately. This can be done with a standard terminal strip commoned by looping wires on one side of the strip. Alternatively, you could use something like these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384863882775

They are basically terminal strips with a commoning bar. The bars can be cut down so you only need to common as many terminals as needed likewise you can common several positive and negative terminals on the same strip. They are also available in several different lengths.

Richard

These are available in 4 way, 6 way and 12 way strips. Much cheaper on Amazon for multiples. I think they are great and have bought multiple sets. I cut the red and black strips to make 6 way from the 12 way ones, this allows both positive and negative on the same terminal block. Bare ends after cutting are kept at each end of the block and covered in insulating tape.

[Bandit Mick]

Thanks for all your help. Wish I’d known about those connectors earlier - just completed many hours on my back getting very stiff and frustrated at times.

[teedoubleudee]

The only issue with stuffing several wires into one terminal is if you need to separate the wires for either maintenance or alteration you have to disconnect all, unravel all and possibly finding yourself having to re-strip the ends.

It is much better particularly from the point of fault finding for each wire to be terminated separately. This can be done with a standard terminal strip commoned by looping wires on one side of the strip. Alternatively, you could use something like these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384863882775

They are basically terminal strips with a commoning bar. The bars can be cut down so you only need to common as many terminals as needed likewise you can common several positive and negative terminals on the same strip. They are also available in several different lengths.

Richard

I used these on my control panel. The red and black connectors make it easier to ensure you connect the correct polarity on DC circuits.

[RAF96]

CN165 multi-connectors from the same place linked to by Rog