Today electricity surrounds people everywhere. To ensure operability, you often have to connect wires to each other. At this point, the main question arises, which is better - twisting or terminal block? There is no single answer to this day.
General information about connection methods
Here it is worth starting with the fact that the twisting of wires is a method of connection that appeared at about the same time as the advent of electrification itself. However, a huge amount of time has passed since then. The development of technology has led to the emergence of a newer method - Wago terminal blocks. On the one hand, after such explanations, it becomes very simple to answer the question of which is better - twisting or terminal block. Newer technologies are always ahead of the old ones, it is more convenient and practical, as well as more aesthetically pleasing. But in this case, "Vago" has certain disadvantages.
Today we can say that both methods have the right to exist and exploit. However, for example, according to the PUE, it is impossible to carry out ordinary twisting, it is necessary to carry out either soldering or welding.
Answering the question about whatbetter - twisting or terminal block, it is necessary to take into account an important fact - where exactly the wires are used. Suppose the fire inspection at all objects to be inspected will very quickly stop ordinary twisting. This is due to the fact that very often the cause of a fire is a poor-quality connection. Copper and aluminum wires are twisted together, hard and soft, etc. All this may well eventually cause a fire.
Use of terminals
So, which is better - twisting or terminal block? It is important to understand that Vago devices are not a panacea in terms of protection and reliability, they can also fail. Such equipment is usually designed for a load of 3.5 to 5 kW. In case of melting, the terminals must be understood - a voltage of more power flows in the network than it should be. Usually this is a problem with the absence or poor performance of the circuit breaker, which should monitor this. Most often, this problem occurs in old houses, where such equipment simply does not exist.
You can take as an example the excellent performance of the terminals in new buildings. At such facilities, Wago devices are installed everywhere. Residents of such houses almost never complain about a problem with electrical wiring. At the same time, it must be understood here that for such consumers of electrical energy as boilers, washing machines, dishwashers and other equipment, separate power lines are laid. Their main difference from the usual ones is the absenceconnections, they are always solid. Terminals are used only for laying socket groups, for lighting, etc. That is, for those consumers who initially work with low power voltage.
So, if you choose between a twist or a terminal block, the second one will always win? This is not entirely true. In new buildings, twisting without welding and soldering is also used, but with one condition. For it, special PPE terminals are used. They have managed to establish themselves as high-quality devices for connecting wires. But they have a certain disadvantage. Arranging wiring with PPE terminals is a laborious task that requires a lot of time. And on large construction sites, it is the factors of time and speed that often play a decisive role.
Cable connection methods
When asking what is better - twisting or a terminal block, you need to understand where such connection methods can be used at all. One of the most common connection methods is the use of self-clamping terminal blocks. Very often, when working with electrical wiring, you have to connect aluminum and copper wires together. In such cases, the twisted option disappears immediately, since the cables differ in material. Before the wide distribution of Vago products, it was believed that bolted connections were the best. Currently, two types of Wago devices are used.
The first type of spring connection is universal terminals with a tension spring in the design. The second type is flat-springspecialized terminals. The first option is used if it is necessary to connect stranded, that is, soft wires. The second option is used in places where single-core (solid) wires are switched.
The process of connecting through the terminals is quite simple. It is necessary to insert the cable into the flat-spring clamp until it stops. In this case, optimal pressure will be created on the contact, regardless of its cross section. This type of clamp does an excellent job of pressing the strands of the wire to the bus, eliminating the possibility of such a problem as spontaneous disconnection. To ensure the convenience of measurement or inspection, the clamp has a special hole that allows you to get to the busbar. In the case of a correct connection, the possibility of a short circuit and touching other live elements will also be completely excluded.
Advantages of Wago products
Which is better - twisting or Wago terminal block? To more fully answer this question, you can consider the advantage of the terminals.
- One of the most important advantages is that the quality of switching by the Vago spring terminal will be at a high level, regardless of how qualified the master performed it.
- Such equipment boasts a high connection speed without the need for specialized tools.
- Provided high protection against accidental contact with any current-carrying parts of the device.
- Reliability of contacts is at a very high level.
- Terminals allow you to make the necessary changes to the wiring without disturbing the quality connection.
- There is a separate socket for each of the wires.
- Clamps have good shock and vibration resistance.
- In automatic mode, it is possible to adjust the clamping force on the wire.
- No need for special service work.
- The electrical conductors themselves in such devices are characterized by good resistance to damage.
- Last on the list, but not least, the benefit is good value for money.
Wago 222 series
This company produces many varieties of its products. One of the fairly popular series is the Wago 222 terminal block.
This product is designed to connect or branch both stranded and solid wires. They are allowed to be used in circuits only of alternating electric current with a maximum voltage of 380 V and a frequency of 50 Hz. Initially, the Wago 222 terminal block was intended for switching copper conductors. However, it is also possible to connect aluminum cables if the device is filled with conductive paste. In addition, the equipment is universal, which allows it to be used both for lighting fixtures and in switchboards.
As for the external data of the Wago 413 terminal block (the full name of the 222-413 series), it is verysimilar to other well-known series such as 273 and 773. It is quite small in size and has good protection of current-carrying parts. A small feature of the device is the presence of a test hole. This development is one of the latest, and now it has become very popular in the energy sector. The Wago 2, 3 and 5-wire terminal block is available. In other words, it is possible to connect two, three or five conductors at the same time. It is allowed to switch cables with a diameter of 0.08 to 4 mm2.
The main characteristics of the device are as follows:
- rated operating voltage 400V or 4kV;
- rated operating current for 4mm cable2 - 32A, for 2.5mm cable2 - 24A;
- Section of solid or stranded conductors should be within 0.08-2.5mm2;
- connection of fine-wire cables is allowed with a cross section of 0.08-4 mm2.
Wago 221 series
The Wago 221 terminal block is a universal lever compact connecting device. With it, you can reliably switch conductors made of copper materials with a diameter of 0.2 to 4 mm2. It is allowed to connect both single-core and multi-core cables. A feature of the 221 series is that it is great for creating a temporary connection, as well as a permanent one. In electrical engineering, such devices are usually used to connect wires in switchboards, junction boxes or junction boxes.
Another feature of such switching devices inthat they are excellent for use in a normal 220 V or 380 V household network, as well as for connecting various components of low-voltage equipment. In addition, this series has a number of specific advantages.
- High speed editing, which is accompanied by a minimum risk of error. Even when assembled by an inexperienced specialist, poor-quality connections are practically eliminated due to the transparent case and ease of assembly.
- High connection reliability comes with low hardware cost.
- This series of terminals is convenient to use in confined spaces where access to wires is difficult for any reason.
- To make a connection, you only need a minimal cable stripping kit. No need for specialized mounting hardware.
- As for the rated operating current, for example, it is 32 A. It is also important to note here that, subject to all connection rules, the terminal will not overheat when the current rises above the rated limit.
Other Wago products
The Wago 4 terminal block, for example, designed for connecting four wires, has such parameters. Firstly, it is designed to connect only single-core wires. Secondly, a flat-spring version is used as a connecting clamp. Thirdly, the cross section of the connected conductors can be from 0.5 to 2.5 mm2.
As for the nominal parameters, for voltage this is an indicatorat 450 V, and for current - 24 A.
Today there is a special development - the 773 series. It was specially released for use in switchboards. These can be Wago 5 773 series terminal blocks or others. In this case, the number 5 will indicate the number of possible wires to be connected. In general, depending on the needs and model, you can connect from 2 to 8 cables. As for the clamp model, it is flat-spring. It is allowed to connect single-core electrical cables with a cross section of 0.75 to 2.5 square millimeters to such a terminal block. The most commonly used are 1.5 and 2.5mm2 conductors. Rated operating voltage - 400 V.
The other 273 series is also used in distribution boards. However, here the cross section has a wider range - from 1.5 to 4 mm2. The rated operating voltage is the same as the 773 series, and this is no coincidence. Most often, 273 terminals are used as an addition to the previous ones. That is, 273 series can be 3x. Wago terminal blocks of this category, that is, 273, are usually used in cases where it is necessary to switch conductors with a cross section of more than 2.5 mm2.
There are separate switchgear series 224, which are designed to operate only with lighting fixtures, for example. These Wago 3-224 terminal blocks, that is, they can be used to switch three wires. There is an assembly in which there are only two cable slots. The operating voltage of the device is 400V, and the cable section can be 0.5-2.5mm2. Feature of thisequipment is that on the side of the luminaire, the clamps are designed for multi-core and fine-core cables. On the side of the network, there is a flat-spring clamp, which is designed to connect a single-core wire.
PPE type clips
So, what is more reliable - twisting or terminal block? As noted earlier, a special device can be used for twisting - a connecting insulating clamp or PPE. It can only be used for single-core cables, whose total cross section will not exceed 20 mm2, and the minimum will be 2.5 mm2. The body of such devices is usually made of insulating material. It can be polyamide, nylon, refractory PVC. This eliminates the need for additional post-insulation.
Connection occurs according to the following principle: the insulation is removed from the end of the wire by about 10-15 mm. The cables are assembled into one bundle, and PPE is wound on top of them. It is necessary to wind clockwise and until it stops. Caps of this type are very easy to install and quite comfortable. But they have a significant drawback - they are much inferior to terminal blocks as a twist, so they are used much less frequently.
Why not twist?
Here, it’s worth starting right away with the fact that according to the rules of electrical installations (PUE), twisting is completely prohibited, although most connections begin with it. In order for the forbidden twist to pass into a number of allowed connections, it must be additionally equipped with a special device. In this case, PPE became such a device. Plasticcaps with a metal spring inside had to firmly hold the wires. However, their small size led to the fact that it was necessary to reduce the length of the twist to 10-15 mm, and this, of course, negatively affects the quality and reliability of the connection.
Separately, it is worth noting that there is the possibility of soldering or welding of strands, as an additional way to increase the reliability of switching. However, this method is much more laborious than using a conventional terminal block. But, on the other hand, if we compare only the reliability of the connection, then welding or soldering will no doubt be the best choice.
Materials for terminal blocks "Vago"
In the manufacture of its products, this company uses polyamide as the main material for insulating current-carrying parts of equipment. This choice is due to the fact that polyamide is very poorly flammable, has good resistance to corrosion, as well as the possibility of self-extinguishing.
As for temperature conditions, polyamide is able to withstand a load of 170 degrees Celsius, or -35 degrees for a short time.
The current-carrying elements themselves are made of special electrolytic copper. In addition, they have a coating of tin and lead. All this provides reliable protection against corrosion. Since most terminal blocks have a spring-type clamp, it was necessary to make a spring from high-quality steel. For these purposes, chromium-nickel steel, which is characterized by a high coefficienttensile strength.
A significant plus in the design is that it is possible to change the initial configuration after connecting single-core and stranded wires. There is no need to use a special tool.
As for the feedback on these compounds, they are as follows.
Twisting is still used, but usually in private homes for networking, where there is no connection of energy-intensive consumers. However, more and more people are responding positively to the use of Wago terminals. They provide much greater reliability, and therefore safety from fire due to poor contact. The advantage of twisting, according to home craftsmen, was that you did not have to spend money on additional equipment. However, today these devices cost so little that it becomes impractical to neglect the increased security of their purchase.
