To effectively complete electrical circuits in industrial, commercial, and residential construction and during maintenance, the proper connector is required to effectively and safely connect the electrical conductors. The number of gauges involved in each electrical circuit will determine the type and style of connector to be selected for the connecting two or more wires. Additionally, high temperature environments must be considered in the connector selection process.
Screw-On Wire Connectors – Standard and Wing-Type Screw-On Wire Connectors are the traditional device used for connecting copper-to-copper electrical wires. A simple and firm clockwise twisting motion of the connector placed over the wires to be connected provides a secure and safe connection. Read and follow the instructions closely to effectively strip the ends of the wires prior to applying the connector. Care must also be taken to select the correct screw-on connector for the job at hand. Standard and Wing-Type Screw-On connectors are color-coded to recognized industry standards that identify the gauges and count combination capacities that a specific connector will accept. A specialty High-Temperature Screw-On Wire Connector is available for applications where temperatures can reach 150 degrees centigrade. Economy Screw-On Wire Connectors are also available and are suitable for remodeling, new construction, new installations and many other DIY and OEM applications. Color-coded for easy size selection.Butt Connectors
Push-In Wire Connectors – Rather than twisting the wires together with a screw-on wire connector the Push-In Wire Connector completes the wire connection by simply inserting the stripped wires into port openings in the push-in connector. There are six different push-in connectors each capable of accepting 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8 wires respectively and accommodating 12 to 22 AWG stranded or solid wires. Only copper-to-copper wire connections are specified. The wires are securely held in by stainless steel springs yet they can be easily removed with a left-right twist/pull motion. Please visit the Electrical Basics website for more information on Push-In Connectors.
Nylon Pigtail Closed End Connectors – Another method of connecting two or more wires is to insert the stripped ends into a nylon insulated tin-plated seamless copper metal sleeve and apply a measured crimp pressure to the connector to secure the wires. The nylon pigtail connector is corrosion and chemical resistant and accepts both stranded and solid wire. These nylon pigtail connectors are especially suited for applications subject to vibration. Four sizes of nylon pigtail closed end wire connectors are available handling wire combinations ranging from 10 to 22 gauge.
Tap Splices/Quick Splicers – In OEM and DIY applications, the Tap Splices/Quick Splicers provide a vehicle for splicing (connecting) the ends of two wires of the same wire gauge without stripping the wires. The splice is completed by placing each of the un-stripped wire ends into the ports on either side of the hinged tap splice. The by closing the tap splice, a connecting-blade is pressed into the wire insulation making contact with the bare wire conductors and completing the connection. Three sizes of Tap Splice/Quick Splicers are available to accommodate wire gauges 22-18 AWG; 16-14 AWG and 12-10 AWG. The tap splices are rated at 600V max and 221 degrees F (105 degrees C).