T-tap connectors

[Matt Colie]

> I've been using DB9 and DB25 (AMP Brand) IDC connectors for probably 20 years in my business working with CNC machines. They are exposed to all
> sorts of vibration, oil, coolants etc. inside and outside of the machines. I've never had one fail. Granted they are in a die cast cover which gives
> them protection.
>
> They are getting to be very expensive and harder to source but it sure beats soldering or crimping individual pins.

Richard,

There is at least an order of magnitude quality difference between what you are using and those we were referring to above.

I have used multi-pin IDC for DB9, DB25, the RJs 4,6,8, 15 & 24(phone and network), Centronics and Bell 50 (old phone network) and while the network
RJs are an occasional issue, most are not. But the contacts are usually gold and conductors have much better quality control.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[emerystora]

Emery

> On May 6, 2019, at 11:18

>> I've been using DB9 and DB25 (AMP Brand) IDC connectors for probably 20 years in my business working with CNC machines. They are exposed to all
>> sorts of vibration, oil, coolants etc. inside and outside of the machines. I've never had one fail. Granted they are in a die cast cover which gives
>> them protection.
>>
>> They are getting to be very expensive and harder to source but it sure beats soldering or crimping individual pins.
>
Richard. I really don’t see what your message has to do with people’s use of the simple clip on T connectors. The ones you reference are high quality solder in connectors and are not susceptible to the loosening and corrosion from the environment as are the ones often used to tie in trailer connectors and the like in areas where they will have water sloshed onto them contributing to their failure.

Emery Stora

 

[adolph santorine]

Matt:

While quality is certainly a concern, most of the telecom and data uses are with solid wire. You displace the insulation, and may nick the conductor, but you’re usually not carrying current.

I think the picture does change when you’re using stranded wire and running it through the earthquake (paint shaker?…. choose your analogy).

A “Sta-Kon” brand fork terminal (blue) handles wire (according to the maker) from #18-

That’s 0.0641 (#14) to 0.0403 (#18)

Figuring in tolerances, that’s a 50% difference

Add the metric to SAE machinations, stranded wire of unknown gauge, and those are tolerances that I don’t know that I’m comfortable with.

My local A&P tech (airframe and power plant mechanic) will only use the blue terminal with the maximum wire size, and always uses a name brand crimping tool.

I use crimp on terminals and splices all the time (yes, I spend the extra money for Sta-Kon) with either solid core or stranded wire.

I’ve terminated a gazillion (not likely, but it sure as hell feels like it) ethernet cables with IDC termination. SOLID WIRE. There is one for each gauge of wire, and a high degree of standardization. Makes sense to me.

Unlike little blue or red taps that are for a wide variety of wire sizes.

I avoid IDC connections with stranded wire.

Dolph

DE AD0LF

Wheeling, West Virginia

1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
Howell EFI & EBL, Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission

“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress"

>

>> I've been using DB9 and DB25 (AMP Brand) IDC connectors for probably 20 years in my business working with CNC machines. They are exposed to all
>> sorts of vibration, oil, coolants etc. inside and outside of the machines. I've never had one fail. Granted they are in a die cast cover which gives
>> them protection.
>>
>> They are getting to be very expensive and harder to source but it sure beats soldering or crimping individual pins.
>
> Richard,
>
> There is at least an order of magnitude quality difference between what you are using and those we were referring to above.
>
> I have used multi-pin IDC for DB9, DB25, the RJs 4,6,8, 15 & 24(phone and network), Centronics and Bell 50 (old phone network) and while the network
> RJs are an occasional issue, most are not. But the contacts are usually gold and conductors have much better quality control.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[Stu Rasmussen]

The problem with these ultra convenient T-Tap connectors currently under
discussion appears to me to be the exceedingly small contact area
between the 'tap' portion and the blade connector that plugs into it.

Most of these flat connectors normally mate with a large 'socket style'
receptacle that has a lot of surface area for the connection -

These things just have a teensy slot that the narrow edge of the
connector slips into - giving a 'necked down' connection that obviously
cannot carry the intended current. Imagine an 'X' with one flat part
being 'connection A' and the other 'Connection B" - and the only point
of contact is the middle of the 'X'.

No matter what wire size is tapped into or used for the connection, all
you get is that tiny 'wire' (maybe equivalent to a #22?) in the middle.

A recipe for I2R heating and premature failure IMHO.

Stu Rasmussen
Silverton, OR
'74 gutted Eleganza

 

[RJW]

> Emery
>
> > On May 6, 2019, at 11:18

> >> I've been using DB9 and DB25 (AMP Brand) IDC connectors for probably 20 years in my business working with CNC machines. They are exposed to
> all
> >> sorts of vibration, oil, coolants etc. inside and outside of the machines. I've never had one fail. Granted they are in a die cast cover which
> gives
> >> them protection.
> >>
> >> They are getting to be very expensive and harder to source but it sure beats soldering or crimping individual pins.
> >
> Richard. I really don't see what your message has to do with people's use of the simple clip on T connectors. The ones you reference are high
> quality solder in connectors and are not susceptible to the loosening and corrosion from the environment as are the ones often used to tie in
> trailer connectors and the like in areas where they will have water sloshed onto them contributing to their failure.
> Emery Stora

I only mentioned it because of IDC connectors being dismissed in this thread as inferior quality. The connectors I use are not "solder in
connectors", they are Insulation Displacement Connectors.

--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Lenzi stuff, Manny Tranny etc.

 

[david h. jarvis]

Using those Scotch brand T taps on solid wire is not good.
The blade that you push in with eventually cause the wire to break.