TimR wrote:
On Aug 28, 2:54 pm, sid wrote:
On Aug 27, 9:59 pm, TimR wrote:
I suggested the chocolate block, because we used those in Europe on
all sizes of conductor. House wiring was 220V of course. Wire nuts
were prohibited as inferior, and I have to admit they are, though they
usually work.
I've never checked NEC and don't know if the chocolate block is legal
here. But it's completely secure, and completely checkable - you can
see if you got the connection perfect or not, unlike a wire nut.
Can you provide a link to a "chocolate block", all my searches don't
find any electrical connectors.
Thanks
Look here http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/...255ed1fd42.jpg
or here https://www.europaspares.com/ELECTRI...CTOR_3239.html
to see what I'm talking about.
But I really don't know about NEC in the US. When I worked in Europe
I never saw anything else, they came in multiple sizes. Understand I
supervised electricians but am not one myself. And sometimes the
language barrier got in the way.
Musta worked in the UK.
But you could crank down on those
chocolate blocks as tight as you needed. They were absolutely secure
with no strain relief required. And they are completely inspectable -
after tightening you can see if a wire slipped out or didn't make
contact, unlike a wire nut where it's all hidden.
Looks like the screws stay accessible (a hazard). Are there covers?
I have read that you snap off the number of chocolate block terminals
you need (probable source of the name) - broken ends stay insulated?
The nearest product in the US is probably AlumiConn from King innovation:
http://www.kinginnovation.com/products/electrical-products/alumiconn/
it is screw terminal, like the UK chocolate blocks above. Was made for
copper - aluminum connections but good for copper - copper.
3 ports; wire range #10-18
I suspect these are significantly more expensive than the 2 below.
The 2 products in this thread (posted by gore) are both push in:
Ideal
http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=in-sure&div=0&l1=push-in&l2=in-sure
2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ports; generally #12-20, one #10
Gardner Bender PushGard™ Push-in Wire Connectors
http://www.gardnerbender.com/products/wire_connectors.html
2, 3, 4, 8 ports; #12-22; easy to remove (GB says)
Anyone know how the connection is made in Ideal and GB? Specifically
why they are better than backstabs?
--
bud--