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Alternatives to terminal blocks for frequent wiring connect/disconnect
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Electro Detective:

as above  :-+ beat me to it  :clap:

Sometimes if you need 'walk away' dependability, it's screwdriver time..  :phew:



 

ConKbot:

--- Quote from: Electro Detective on November 24, 2019, 09:48:38 am ---
as above  :-+ beat me to it  :clap:

Sometimes if you need 'walk away' dependability, it's screwdriver time..  :phew:

--- End quote ---
Spring terminals with appropriate clamping force(i.e. Proper phoenix or similar connectors, not some un-named special) will be more reliable than screw terminals. High vibration environment? Always has tension, can't back off. End user tinned the stranded wire and put it in the terminal? Sping will move as the solder cold flows and doesn't lose tension like a screw terminal could. Takes a lot more creativity to over or under tighten it, etc.

Both should be pretty reliable if done correctly, with good quality components.  Spring clamp ones will be more variable with quality, screw will be more variable with use technique. If you control both, then its about a wash.
Cerebus:

--- Quote from: Electro Detective on November 24, 2019, 09:48:38 am ---Sometimes if you need 'walk away' dependability, it's screwdriver time..  :phew:

--- End quote ---

The OP, although he/she seems to have gone walkabout, said:


--- Quote from: djsb on November 23, 2019, 06:43:38 pm ---Are there any alternatives to using terminal blocks (with screws) for FREQUENTLY connecting/disconnecting wires to a PCB. (Their emphasis)

--- End quote ---

So this isn't for a 'walk away' application.

Interesting the UK mains wiring codes require (or they did when I was intimately current with them) that screwed connections are 'inspectable', that is, aren't placed somewhere where you can walk away and forget them. They're expected to be inspected, and adjusted if necessary, at regular intervals. Generally for 'walk away' applications that could not be regularly inspected crimp connections (properly made, adequately stain relieved, etc. etc.) were preferred.
tunk:
Do a web search for this: KF141 terminal
jbb:

--- Quote from: djsb on November 23, 2019, 06:43:38 pm ---... FREQUENTLY connecting/disconnecting wires to a PCB. ...

--- End quote ---

You'll need to make some estimates here.  Many pluggable contact systems are intended for maintenance & servicing, so have a life span of 20 - 50 cycles (you'll likely get more than that in practice).  Check for 'lifespan' or 'service life' or similar on the data sheet.


The Molex Micro-Fit connectors are quite nice, but you'll either need to fork out for a crimper (look for a technician crimper) or buy pre-crimped leads.

I've had good results with Phoenix Contact in the past, for example using a part like this 32 contact DFMC 1,5/16-ST-3,5-LR (see catalog here).  (I can't remember the exact part, it was a few years ago.) It's only rated for 25 cycles or so.

If you need many cycles, you'll need to look for a plug & socket instead of a pluggable connector...
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