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| Best way to connect many single core copper wires together |
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| JeanF:
Hi, what would you suggest to join together about 45 solid core copper wires ? wish list: a. Must accept many 1.5 and 2.5mm² wires, a few 4mm² and 6mm², as well as at least one 16mm² or bigger b. ideally spring clamp, not screw clamp (I may reconsider it as long as c. is fulfilled) c. one wire per hole d. wire disconnection must be possible (either with levers as Wago does, or with “push-screwdriver-into-the-hole” slots) I know there are many DIN-rail mount terminal blocks available in many shapes, but most of them are designed so that each terminal is insulated from its neighbours. Maybe there are ones that have a spare contact at the back and copper “combs” can be used to join them all in a row, but I’ve not been able to find actual product references that could work; maybe I don’t have the correct search terms. I have seen variations of this, but I’ve had issues in the past with old copper softening and connections becoming loose when there are multiple wires in the same hole. Besides, these screw terminals apply torque on the wires and can shear them; the “rising cage” design is much better IMHO. I have also seen this [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] , but the number of contacts is too small and wire size is fixed. Do you have any suggestions ? :) Thank you ! More info on the context : This is an old house, the mains wiring was installed in the ‘70s. All appliances are 230v single phase, they were randomly split on three phases from the utility company; all the neutrals are tied together. The live conductors (only) are protected by fuses. They used a short (4 or 5 rows) piece of one of these (bigger than in the picture though, more like 25mm2), all the wires were bundled in groups of about 10 in each hole (on one side only). Ugly pieces of U-shaped thicker wire were used to connect the rows together from the other side. There were many loose wires.... Recently a temporary fix was made using many 5-way Wago terminals. Indeed it works but it’s not pretty. I know some will say “meh, just have everything rebuilt with modern components and one 2-pole breaker per circuit, GFCIs on each row, etc etc and voila, no more neutrals connected together”; while this may be a sensible advice for the long-term, I’m still looking for easier, cheaper and quicker solutions for now ! Thank you :) |
| Rerouter:
your after something called a "Neutral link bar" its a brass terminal block intended for many solid core connections with smaller wires, and 1 bigger one back to a line fuse. If your afraid of shearing the wires, use ferrule crimps on the wire ends, this way the crimp takes the shearing, not the wire. |
| richard.cs:
There are definitely DIN rail mounted terminals that can be ganged with little staple-shaped bridging links but I don't know the search terms for them either. "DIN terminal jumper" seems to find some stuff. |
| themadhippy:
--- Quote ---I know there are many DIN-rail mount terminal blocks available in many shapes, but most of them are designed so that each terminal is insulated from its neighbours. Maybe there are ones that have a spare contact at the back and copper “combs” can be used to join them all in a row, but I’ve not been able to find actual product references that could work; maybe I don’t have the correct search term --- End quote --- jumper bars ,for example https://eshop.wieland-electric.com/categorie/en/din-rail-terminal-blocks/1000008637#navigation:attrib%5Bcat_url%5D%5B0%5D=%2Fcategorie%2Fen%2Fdin-rail-terminal-blocks%2F1000008637&attrib%5BCategory%5D%5B0%5D=Cross-connector&first=0 However the neutral type bar mentioned above would be my preferred option. |
| Yansi:
Depending on what you do, there are tens of options. I do not think there is anything wrong with those generic neutral bars. They indeed may shear wires off, but in such case, you either over-torqued it, or used a shit one with incorrect screw design (edge with a burr). Consult the manufacturers manual for what the proper torque should be. You shall only use brand name stuff and follow what the manufacturer recommends. Mains stuff ain't no place for hacking and fun. I have never heard of any problems with using this type of connection bars you have linked. They are the go-to type for any typical household installation. But please, do not twist wires together, leave that stuff to our friends behind an ocean. |
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