Any splices you guys are aware of that work well for going from a solid wire like Cat 5 to a stranded wire such as the wire that comes off of a Xantech emitter? There's got to be a good splice out there somewhere that's meant for this. The Dolphin connectors work and you can make almost any splice work with some effort but I'm hoping you guys know of a better solution.

We use Dolphins, too.

Solder and shrink. :)

Thanks so much ;-). Next please?

I sense a touch of sarcasm. QQQ why not use the cb12 connecting block and make it easy on yourself.

DoLpHiNs!!

We've had our share of Cat 5 conductors breaking off at the terminal strip doing that. Not tons, but enough to be a headache.

Molex connectors. Good clean finish, and if you put IR eyes in equipment, you can unplug if you need to service.

Solder and shrink!! Never Fails. Molex and dolphins are nice too.

Mike

"Molex" narrows it down to about 1001 connectors :-). Care to share some part numbers?

MCM Electronics part number 28-2180. This is a three conductor 16-22 ga. connector. We use them alot, just be careful not to crimp down too hard on the cat5 or they will break off.

Matt

I use Dolphins too...
but I strip CAT5, and use them as a tiny crimp-cap.
I don't think the bed-of-nails spikes do to well with wire this thin, I think the insulation moves just enough sometimes to zig-zag between the piercing spikes and not make a solid bite.

Note, I crush Dolphins flat with the inner crotch of a set of diagonal cutters, but an installer of mine likes to use his crimpers which have slightly curved jaws and leave a tiny gap. I use that crimp method for butt splices and crimp caps (and I dont really use those anymore) but I was taught to use the diagonal cutters on dolphins.

Any feedback on which way is "proper" in your company??
Larry should have a definitive answer to post...

Thanks. Any idea what the Molex part # is (www.molex.com). MCM does not have a picture on their web site.

Okay, I don't know about "definitive", but since you asked...

How about those little two-hole or three-hole telephone-wire squeeze splices; you know, the ones with the red or yellow button? They're insulation-displacing, have a dab of goop in them, and couldn't be easier to use; just inster and squeeze. (Edit: Let's make that "insert")

If looks aren't important, like inside a wall box or other enclosure, why not just use small wirenuts? Twist the wires together, fold them, and then spin on the wirenut. (I can hear it now:"Hmph! Wirenuts! Just like an electrician!")

You could use the insulated crimp caps, the white ones shaped like a bell, in a pinch (pardon the pun). However, I believe these little dudes are great, with a wire size range from 28 to 14! You can get them in a 5-position block, too.

Look here for more info.

This message was edited by Larry Fine on 02/14/05 21:44 ET.

QQQ,

Molex part number is a standard .062 wire to wire. From 1-36 positions.

Matt