Connectors for small gauge wire.

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Hello

I am looking at sorting out the Heath Robinson set of connections between all sorts of electrical kit, you know these tiny wires that pass data from one device to another, and am looking for a supplier of good connectors. Ideally I want to be able to clip and unclip devices easily for remove at the end of the season, a bit like a RJ45 connector but can't find a supplier. Has anybody done anything like this or can point me in the right direction?

Thanks
 
Or something a little smaller search molex connectors. They are the ones that are used inside computers to connect up various power cables.
 
Camelia said:
Hello

I am looking at sorting out the Heath Robinson set of connections between all sorts of electrical kit, you know these tiny wires that pass data from one device to another, and am looking for a supplier of good connectors. Ideally I want to be able to clip and unclip devices easily for remove at the end of the season, a bit like a RJ45 connector but can't find a supplier. Has anybody done anything like this or can point me in the right direction?

Thanks
Click to expand...
If you are looking to be able to plug and unplug various equipment then I would recommend a multipole sensor connnector system like these from Balluf or Brad Harrison.
You can mark up each plug and socket and interconnect as you may wish...

They are not cheap but we use them all the time for making installation of sensors and hand shaking between PLCs and relays a doddle.

http://www.balluff.com/balluff/MUS/en/products/junction-and-terminal-blocks.jsp

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/industrial-automation-circular-connectors/3973080/

I find that din rail mounted push fit terminals by wago or wieland in a decent ip rated enclosure do a great job if you want to fit and forget any easy removal of equipment.
 
Camelia said:
Hello

I am looking at sorting out the Heath Robinson set of connections between all sorts of electrical kit, you know these tiny wires that pass data from one device to another, and am looking for a supplier of good connectors. Ideally I want to be able to clip and unclip devices easily for remove at the end of the season, a bit like a RJ45 connector but can't find a supplier. Has anybody done anything like this or can point me in the right direction?

Thanks
Click to expand...

There are thousands of options.
The best option will be one which suports the cable with some sort of strain relief, and seals the cable against moisture getting into the strands.
I used M8 series. Mostly because I got a load for free.
I might be tempted to use sockets and buy generic cables such as usb or cat5, which can give you twisted pairs and screened cable, but this can be a trap if mixed with real usb or ethernet signals.
 
When people refer to Wago connectors, they often mean the orange lever 222 series, but the company makes a vast number of different connectors. These 261 sprung clamp blocks (4, 6 and 12 way IIRC) are excellent for multiple fine wires in awkward spaces where moisture is not an issue:
http://uk.farnell.com/wago/261-112-341-000/tb-wire-to-brd-12pos-14awg/dp/1283525

Edit: I don't know how I came to post again on a thread I'd already posted to! Duh!
 
Last edited:
Hydrozoan said:
When people refer to Wago connectors, they often mean the orange lever 222 series, but the company makes a vast number of different connectors. These 261 sprung clamp blocks (4, 6 and 12 way IIRC) are excellent for multiple fine wires in awkward spaces where moisture is not an issue:
http://uk.farnell.com/wago/261-112-341-000/tb-wire-to-brd-12pos-14awg/dp/1283525

Edit: I don't know how I came to post again on a thread I'd already posted to! Duh!
Click to expand...

These are my two Wagos as per above installed this year.

One is the AIS / DSC / Chartplotter / Muxer interconnection and the other is the GPS / Autopilot / Chartplotter / Paddlewheel Simulator / ST60 interconnection.

They're not pretty but the connections and wire colours are fully documented in case I ever sell the boat. :ambivalence:

IMG_4181.JPG


IMG_4829.JPG


Richard
 
RichardS said:
These are my two Wagos as per above installed this year.

One is the AIS / DSC / Chartplotter / Muxer interconnection and the other is the GPS / Autopilot / Chartplotter / Paddlewheel Simulator / ST60 interconnection.

They're not pretty but the connections and wire colours are fully documented in case I ever sell the boat. :ambivalence:



Richard
Click to expand...
Could one cut the strip up to make smaller blocks as you do for a choc block? I have looked but I cannot find anything smaller than 12 way - but I may have missed it

TudorSailor
 
tudorsailor said:
Could one cut the strip up to make smaller blocks as you do for a choc block? I have looked but I cannot find anything smaller than 12 way - but I may have missed it

TudorSailor
Click to expand...

A good question. The 12 way 261 Wagos do look as if they are some kind of modular construction but I don't think they can be taken apart although I've never tried.

Here's a 6-way 261 but others might be available:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/non-fused-terminal-blocks/0815868/

Richard
 
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