"Splitter" terminal block?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm working on wiring for the new NCR and have a component question.

I'm trying to keep things nice and tidy (inspired by Tim H's beautiful work) and I'm looking for a component that might not exist.

I want to daisy chain wiring locations, so one "board" (with the local components like detection, switch decoder, etc...) is stand alone and can be easily connected to the next.

I was planning on using terminal blocks for the terminations, and while I know I can double up wires in one block to achieve the effect, I figured something else might be far cleaner and more reliable.

Googling has not come up with what I'm looking for, so I'm hoping you nerds might know the terms I'm missing to find them.

This is the kinda thing I'm looking for.

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[davefoxx]

Ed,

Looks like they make all sorts of different sizes of what you're looking for.  For example, look at the craziness of this distribution block!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091F9Y399/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B091F9Y399&pd_rd_w=TML1d&pf_rd_p=80360d1c-2d74-4d2e-9034-f92fb5248b33&pd_rd_wg=DEDT3&pf_rd_r=2QBQ2VG2NPNDRJRVX7MX&pd_rd_r=b589df52-c732-44f2-b066-a5d2c6b74fb8&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyUk9OVE5ZVUhCMEsxJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDY4MTcxMTVBSUFNVjBLMjhBMyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjM5MzY2MUQ1NDM0UFgzRkE4TSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Hope this helps,
DFF

[C855B]

This is probably closer to Ed's idea:

http://acculites.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=77&products_id=657

My main beef with this board is no mounting holes, no room to drill my own, and the protrusions on the backside preclude double-sided foam mounting tape. 

I bought a 10-pack hoping to use them for the many DCC taps needed for my project, but compensating for the mounting issue was difficult given my use of steel framing. Insulating the backside had potential long-term consequences such as electrical tape migration or cold-flow.

[Missaberoad]

Would a suitcase connecter achieve your goal?

I know they are pooh-poohed in some circles, but they are used extensively in the RV industry where they have to put up with much more abuse then the average layout.
When properly crimped they are quite reliable.

They would also be somewhat permanent which may or may not be an advantage...

[C855B]

Would a suitcase connecter achieve your goal?

I know they are pooh-poohed in some circles, ...

They're fine as long as you're using the genuine 3M product. Where MRRs and other amateur electronics-fiddlers get in trouble is the usual find-the-cheapest no-name junk from the DIY stores, swap meets or eBay.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This is probably closer to Ed's idea:

http://acculites.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=77&products_id=657

My main beef with this board is no mounting holes, no room to drill my own, and the protrusions on the backside preclude double-sided foam mounting tape. 

I bought a 10-pack hoping to use them for the many DCC taps needed for my project, but compensating for the mounting issue was difficult given my use of steel framing. Insulating the backside had potential long-term consequences such as electrical tape migration or cold-flow.

The vampire II is pretty much EXACTLY what I was looking for! And they're cheap too. Not gonna complain there. Thanks!!!!

Would a suitcase connecter achieve your goal?

I know they are pooh-poohed in some circles, but they are used extensively in the RV industry where they have to put up with much more abuse then the average layout.
When properly crimped they are quite reliable.

They would also be somewhat permanent which may or may not be an advantage...

Oh yeah, they would, but I was hoping for something a bit more "mountable" and with screw terminals (I've fallen in love with easily disconnecting sections for troubleshooting).

I'm actually planning on using suitcases for feeder connections. I definitely trust them that far.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

They're fine as long as you're using the genuine 3M product. Where MRRs and other amateur electronics-fiddlers get in trouble is the usual find-the-cheapest no-name junk from the DIY stores, swap meets or eBay.

You mean that box of them that I have from Harbor Freight? lol

[C855B]

Oh, geez. I've been down this road so many times and what I am actually doing right now slipped my mind. I've been on a project flurry the past two weeks, so I'm tired, I guess:

Single, and three taps of one wire: Wago blocks. 3-wire and 5-wire. Available at Menards (yeah, I know), but eBay and Amazon, too.

The Wago blocks in use:



Also, multi-tap feed-through blocks, which I am using for main distribution points and - more importantly - yards: https://www.ebay.com/itm/352373611149

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Wow. Where have THOSE been my entire life?

Thanks Mike!!!!

[Point353]

Where have THOSE been my entire life?

Also in stock at Digi-Key in the event that you reside in a Menards-free location.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Also in stock at Digi-Key in the event that you reside in a Menards-free location.

I found a 36 pack for $25 at at Amaze-on, and they can be here tomorrow.

[railnerd]

Another vote for WAGO 221 here.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Another vote for WAGO 221 here.

They have arrived and I have fallen in love.

[Philip H]

I found a 36 pack for $25 at at Amaze-on, and they can be here tomorrow.

You failed to post the linky dinky there spanky.

[Sokramiketes]

Also remember that it's pretty easy to crimp on ring terminals, and then you can stack them on the same screw location.  The ring terminals are a good practice for terminal block usage anyway.