When conducting electrical work, the lion's share of the time is spent making wire connections in junction boxes. In addition to the laboriousness of creating junction boxes, they are the weak point of any electrical wiring, most of the faults are caused precisely by poor contact or a short circuit in them.
Traditional ways of connecting wires
Historically, connections were made by twisting or using screw terminals. Twisting wires is the simplest and most common installation method, but it also has disadvantages:
- Copper and aluminum wires must not be twisted together.
- Do not twist stranded wires.
- The twist size must be at least five turns.
- Do not twist wires of different sections.
- So that the twist does not weaken over the years, it is either boiled, or special spring-loaded caps are used, soldering is also used for copper wires, but this is quite laborious.
- It is necessary to additionally isolate the place of twisting.
- Not Recommendedconnect more than three wires.
The use of screw terminals also has limitations due to large dimensions, a small number of connected wires, loosening of the screw connection over time and of course labor intensity.
Advantages and disadvantages of "Vago" clamps
An alternative mounting method is the use of quick-clamp terminal blocks. Terminal clamps "Vago" have a number of undeniable advantages when performing electrical work:
- Capable of connecting aluminum and copper wires.
- Connection of wires of different diameters from 0.5 to 4.0 square meters. mm.
- Using stranded wires.
- Rated current up to 32A.
- Connect up to eight wires in one group.
- Quick and easy installation without the use of special tools.
- Insulated electrical safety connection.
- Compact terminal block size.
- The ability to visually control the connection through a transparent case.
- Some models allow for collapsible connection.
- The presence of special holes in the housing for connecting instrumentation.
The only downside to these connectors is their price, but it more than pays off in saving time during installation, reliability and durability of the connection. Also, a high mounting density can be achieved by using the Vago clamp (the photo shows the accuracy of mounting the terminal blocks in the junction box).
Clamp types"Vago"
The company produces terminal blocks with clamping devices of the following types:
- Spring clips.
- FIT-CLAMPs.
- CAGE CLAMP.
Terminals with flat spring clamps are the simplest and most cost-effective solution for connecting wires. The clamp is a block of flat steel springs pressed into a polycarbonate body. Blocks are produced with the number of contacts from two to eight. The clamp is designed for one-time connection of wires, re-use is undesirable, as the spring force weakens.
The FIT-CLAMP uses an IDC contact for the fastest mounting option. These devices allow you to connect wires without first removing the insulation.
In CAGE CLAMP terminals, the steel spring is separate from the conductive copper bar. For the manufacture of conductive platinum, tinned copper is used. This clamp design allows you to use any wire, including thin and stranded wires.
Product line
The nomenclature of "Vago" terminal connectors (clips, the characteristics of which we are considering) is as follows:
- 294 and 294 Linec - specialized terminals for connecting power supplies and lighting devices, designed to branch three conductors: phase, neutral and protective earth.
- 224 - a series for connecting fine-stranded conductors of lighting fixtures to a distribution network.
- 243 PUSH WIRE –for connecting solid wires of small cross sections.
- 2273 COMPACT PUSH WIRE - used to connect any wires in junction boxes.
- 273 and 773 PUSH WIRE - connection of solid wires in junction boxes.
- 222 - universal terminals for multiple connection of any wires with a cross section from 0.08 mm sq.
- 221 WAGO COMPACT - a compact universal terminal block for multiple connection of any wires with a cross section from 0.2 mm sq.
Let's take a closer look at the car clips. How to use the terminals of each series?
294 and 294 Series Connectors Linect
The Push-in CAGE CLAMPs used in the terminal blocks of these series allow you to connect solid, stranded and fine-stranded wires without the use of special tools. Optionally, a direct PE contact can be placed under the connector and used to connect to the PE busbar during installation. The internal connection side has a fully functional third contact for each pole, from 0.5 to 0.75 square meters. mm. The corresponding PE pole can be equipped with an external PE contact (protective earth). To connect the connected device in each group, a third clamp with a cross section of 0.5-0.75 mm2 is provided. These "Vago" wire clamps are mounted as follows:
- A distribution circuit that needs to be connected in parallel with a lamp or other load is cut.
- Insulation is removed from the cut ends of the wires for a length of 1 cm.
- Press the moving part of the terminal andinsert the stripped wires into the opened hole of the corresponding pole until it stops.
- Release the moving part of the car terminal, the clamp will fix the wire.
- Connect the wires of the lighting fixture to the self-clamping contacts of each pole.
For ease of installation, each pole of the terminal is marked with Latin letters L, N, PE.
Products of the 224 series
This "Vago" clamp is for stranded wires of lighting fixtures or other low-current loads. The thin conductor of the lighting device can be connected to the end or to the break of the distribution network. Each terminal is designed for connection to one pole of the electrical network. The cross section of the wires of the distribution network is 1-2.5 mm square, and the connected device is 0.5-2.5 mm square. each pole with a cross section from 0.5 to 0.75 mm². The terminal is mounted in the following sequence:
- When connected to a break in the distribution line, the supply wire is cut.
- Insulation is removed from the cut ends of the wires for a length of 1 cm.
- The distribution wires are inserted into the round holes of the self-locking contacts.
- Press the movable part of the terminal and insert the stripped wire from the lighting fixture into the square-shaped hole until it stops.
- Release the moving part of the terminal, the clamp will fix the wire.
Terminals 243 series
243 Vago series (PUSH WIRE clamp) is used for connecting low-current devices with single-core wires of small cross sections from 0.5 to 0.8mm sq. They have an ultra-compact size. Models are available for connecting from three to eight wires. The rated voltage of the device is up to 100V, the maximum current is up to 6A.
Clamps 273 and 773 series
These series of products "Vago" (CLAMP PUSH WIRE) are designed for installation of single-core wires in junction boxes and differ in the maximum cross-section of wires: up to 2.5 mm square. for 273 series and up to 4 mm sq. for the 773rd. The maximum allowable current of products is up to 32A.
Clamps 2273 series
2273 series terminals with COMPACT PUSH WIRE contacts are compact in size, which significantly compacts the installation. The current load of these clamps is up to 24A. The nominal range includes products for connecting up to eight wires. It is allowed to use stranded, aluminum or copper wires with a cross section from 0.5 to 2.5 mm sq.
The 243, 273, 773 and 2273 series flat clamp terminals are assembled by hand without the use of special tools in the following sequence:
- The ends of the wires are stripped to a length of 10 mm.
- The stripped ends of the wires are inserted all the way into the holes of the terminal.
- Correct installation is controlled through the transparent cover of the terminal housing.
222 and 221 series products
Clamps of these series differ in size and body type. Devices allow you to perform multiple installation of any wires with a cross section of 0.08 mm for the 222 series and from 0.2 to 4.0 mm square. (for 221 series). Issuedoptions for connecting two, three and five wires. The maximum clamping current is 32A. Series 221 comes in a compact case with a transparent lid.
Clamps are mounted manually:
- The ends of the wires are stripped to a length of 10 mm.
- The orange levers on the "Vago" terminal block are raised, the clamp opens the spring contact hole.
- The stripped ends of the wires are inserted all the way into the holes of the terminal.
- Levers return to their original position, releasing the contact spring and clamping the wire.
- For products of the 221 series, you can check the quality of installation through a transparent case.
General installation instructions
Terminal clips "Vago" are widely used all over the world and have proven their effectiveness. However, you must follow some simple recommendations when installing them:
- The total load of all lines connected to one terminal must not exceed its rated current. It is advisable to always select a terminal with a current margin.
- Take into account the passport data of the product - the maximum voltage, the range of cross-sections of wire cores and their type.
- Terminals should only be installed in junction boxes.
- Junction boxes should be located in a place accessible for revision.
- Always leave enough wire stock for rewiring.
- When stripping the ends of the wires, use the special marks printed on the terminal housing. Straight bare wiresallow them to be correctly installed in the clamps.
- When installing aluminum wires, use a special paste to prevent aluminum oxidation.
- To monitor the voltage on the mounted terminals, connect the measuring device to the specially designed holes in the clamp housings.
For more than 35 years, electricians around the world have been using Vago clamps. Testimonials from satisfied users of these products speak for themselves.
