Layout Wiring Terminal Connectors: What Are You Using?

[tehachapifan]

As I continue to realize the need for improving my layout wiring, I see that I will need some terminal connectors to tie groups of track leads together. What do you like to use for this?

[MK]

Crimp on space connectors with screw terminal block/strip.

[peteski]

Crimp on space connectors with screw terminal block/strip.

Yeah, what he said!   
Since this arrangement results in easily removable connections, troubleshooting and wiring modifications are easy.

[C855B]

@Carolina Northern posted this link in my layout thread a while back: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Set-Power-Distribution-Board-With-Status-LEDs-for-DC-and-AC-Voltage-Everest-/201370124332

I haven't had a need just just yet but it looks to be ideal. The listing said five left versus hundreds sold, so if you want one or more you'd better hop on it before I do.

Here's another apparently from the same vendor, without the end feed:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PCB004-1-Set-Power-Distribution-Board-2-Inputs-22-Outputs-for-DC-and-AC-Voltage/263485158351

[tehachapifan]

Thanks for the replied thus far. I should've specified what particular connectors you are using. Also, it seems some are set up to be 8 or 10 SEPARATE circuits versus 1 circuit with several connection points. I need the latter with the idea being that the 2 power leads go in the terminal connector and then several track leads can the be extended off it. Mike, I think your example is possibly what I need.

[peteski]

Russ,
The terminal strips in my photo can be used as a single point of contact for multiple wires. You can buy shunts (metal plates) which connect the adjacent terminals, so you can connect several together. Or make your own shunts from short pieces of with with crimp terminals on both ends.

Or those power distribution boards C855B mentioned will also do the trick.

[DKS]

When joining multiple wires together for a common circuit (which can be a lot of them when you feed each length of track independently), I drive a nail into the nearest bit of wood and solder all of the wires to it. I've never had cause to regret it, and it saves a lot of money.

[tehachapifan]

Good info and tips! Never would've thought of the nail trick!

[reinhardtjh]

@Carolina Northern posted this link in my layout thread a while back: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Set-Power-Distribution-Board-With-Status-LEDs-for-DC-and-AC-Voltage-Everest-/201370124332

I haven't had a need just just yet but it looks to be ideal. The listing said five left versus hundreds sold, so if you want one or more you'd better hop on it before I do.

Here's another apparently from the same vendor, without the end feed:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PCB004-1-Set-Power-Distribution-Board-2-Inputs-22-Outputs-for-DC-and-AC-Voltage/263485158351

and this I think is probably the same vendor with a different name - evemodel_usa vs evemodel_fr  (USA vs France?)  They have 27 available.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PCB001-1-Set-Power-Distribution-Board-With-Status-LEDs-for-DC-and-AC-Voltage-/263485147915?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10

BTW, the trick to finding out how many they have when the listing says "More than xx available" is to go to the "Shipping and Payments" info and start adding zeros to the number in "Quantity", when you hit more than they have it will tell you how many units are left.

[C855B]

Cool. Thanks, John.

[Chinapig]

Hi, I use these Wago connection blocks.

http://uk.farnell.com/wago/221-415/compact-splicing-connector-5pos/dp/2534734?st=wago%20connectors

 I hot glue them to convenient places under the layout, generally in pairs, one for each of the main bus wires.  Our main bus on our modular oNeTrak layout is 13AWG and this wire will fit comfortably into one of the sockets, so we use two sockets for the bus - one inwards and one onwards to the next Wago connector or Powerpole connector to the next module.  We can get three feeders, if needed, into each of the other three sockets.

I find them quick and  easy to use.  One of the great advantages is that if you've made a mistake, unsnap the clip, remove the wire and start again.

In the photo I've used three sockets Wagos as it's a very simple module.

Ted

[peteski]

Our main bus on our modular oNeTrak layout is 13AWG

13AWG?  Interesting. That is the first time I've head about that gauge. The common gauges are 12 an 14 AWG.  Come to think of it, I don't think I have ever encountered odd-gauge (as in numeric value) wire. That is an odd gauge . . . 

[Chinapig]

It's 50/0.25 wire.  This conversion table says it's 13AWG and I've thought no more about it.  May be it's a European thing?

https://www.canford.co.uk/Technical/Article/MetricAWGWireSizeEquivalents

Cheers, Ted

[MK]

I've seen 13 AWG once in awhile, usually ultra flexible silicone wire for power.

[peteski]

Ah, so this is a metric standard wire and 13AWG is an approximate equivalent.  I get it now - thanks!