Useful connectors from toolstation

[Gavin John Hyde]

A few months ago Johnward did a youtube video of the fake chinese wagos, some were straight through ones of dubious quality.
Well it seems Inline (usually decent company) are now making 32 amp rated 3 pole straight through connectors, sold in toolstation. actually look alright and would certainly be useful and save using 3 separate connectors in a tight space. Still surprised wago have not made these themselves.
Can see lots of uses for these from extending cables on a fuse board change or just for linking out two cables.
anybody bought any yet? if so whats the quality like?

 

[telectrix]

i have some. not tried in real situation, but have connected cables in workshop and all seems good. (for workshop read my cluttered up junk space in garage).

 

[Andy78]

I'm not aware of the company in line ? I think that's just a description of the product and these are just unbranded Wago copies ?

 

[Flanders]

The
They look good but should the yellow terminal be marked green and yellow .when I first looked ag if I thought it was the old phase colours

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I'm not aware of the company in line ? I think that's just a description of the product and these are just unbranded Wago copies ?

Inline is a brand by Ideal Industries who make the orange splice connectors and wago style push in connectors too. think they might be american?

 

[westward10]

What is the yellow terminal for.

 

[Ampo]

I think inline is confused with in sure? That's a decent brand

 

[telectrix]

I'm not aware of the company in line ? I think that's just a description of the product and these are just unbranded Wago copies ?

try getting a pack and try them out. they seem good to me.

 

[pirate]

I think Ideal make those little push connectors that save your bacon when space is tight and the wires, usually at an extractor fan, are short. They seem ok.
I guess these ones under discussion are just choc-block with levers instead of screws.
Me, following my usual practice with choc-block, I'd put the CPC in the middle, so it should be green/yellow. not just yellow?

 

[Ampo]

Ideal do in sure or splice line I think and the splice line are "in line" connectors so I'm guessing those ines arnet from ideal and they probably dont have the patent on the inline name

 

[Andy78]

Inline is a brand by Ideal Industries who make the orange splice connectors and wago style push in connectors too. think they might be american?

Nah I don't think they are that brand. Toolstation also sell those and describe them as Ideal industries spliceline In-line connectors.

I believe the Wago 222 got heavily copied, there was talk of the design patent running out ?

 

[telectrix]

What is the yellow terminal for.

maybe they could not work out how to add a green stripe.

 

[westward10]

The fact they have brown and blue colours indicates this is how to connect them but to use yellow would immediately put me off them. They also do a two pole one with just brown and blue.

In Line Spring Lever Connectors 2 Pole 32A

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

The fact they have brown and blue colours indicates this is how to connect them but to use yellow would immediately put me off them. They also do a two pole one with just brown and blue.

In Line Spring Lever Connectors 2 Pole 32A

the 3 core ones with yellow are for electricians who can use a bit of common sense and work out the yellow is for the cpc
the 2 core are for the bodgers and cowboys who just cut off the cpc or fold it back. why pay for a 3rd terminal you wont use!

 

[telectrix]

The fact they have brown and blue colours indicates this is how to connect them but to use yellow would immediately put me off them. They also do a two pole one with just brown and blue.

In Line Spring Lever Connectors 2 Pole 32A

but then where do you put the cpc? choc block and tape as per b&q instructions?

 

[pirate]

Nope, you put the cpc in a 2 way Wago!

 

[westward10]

the 3 core ones with yellow are for electricians who can use a bit of common sense and work out the yellow is for the cpc
the 2 core are for the bodgers and cowboys who just cut off the cpc or fold it back. why pay for a 3rd terminal you wont use!

Surely to be compliant for sale it would have to be correctly identified, does any country use yellow as a protective conductor.

 

[pirate]

getting my green sharpie out right now...

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Surely to be compliant for sale it would have to be correctly identified, does any country use yellow as a protective conductor.

unless I am mistaken, that whilst we use standardised colours. as long as the conductors are consistent in an installation, adequately labelled and clear to those working on it which is live, neutral , cpc etc then you can have 3 pink wires labelled 123 or abc etc or even purple,orange and pink. they key is that they are labelled so the next person knows what is what. would likely be considered a deviation from regs but they are non statutory.
at end of the day it is common sense to use brown, blue green/yellow etc as its the standard.

 

[FatAlan]

Would work quite well so long as you have the right enclosure as per other methods.

 

[westward10]

unless I am mistaken, that whilst we use standardised colours. as long as the conductors are consistent in an installation, adequately labelled and clear to those working on it which is live, neutral , cpc etc then you can have 3 pink wires labelled 123 or abc etc or even purple,orange and pink. they key is that they are labelled so the next person knows what is what. would likely be considered a deviation from regs but they are non statutory.
at end of the day it is common sense to use brown, blue green/yellow etc as its the standard.

But it isn't identified, a cpc should be identified as green/yellow in the UK and not a number or letter.

 

[davesparks]

But it isn't identified, a cpc should be identified as green/yellow in the UK and not a number or letter.

The conductor should be identified yes, but I don't think there is any requirement for connectors used for the cpc to be coloured green/yellow.

 

[westward10]

The conductor should be identified yes, but I don't think there is any requirement for connectors used for the cpc to be coloured green/yellow.

I agree but the issue here is the use of brown and blue with a random yellow terminal clearly for use as earth. If they were all the same colour like orange for instance then it would not be important but this is clearly a manufacturing issue which would make me question the quality.

 

[davesparks]

I agree but the issue here is the use of brown and blue with a random yellow terminal clearly for use as earth. If they were all the same colour like orange for instance then it would not be important but this is clearly a manufacturing issue which would make me question the quality.

I have no doubt that the quality of these unbranded connectors is going to be terrible.

If they were all the same colour I think it would cause far more problems with confusion about how the internal connections actually work, most people would assume it is a six way commoning connector rather than a 3 way in line connector.

 

[westward10]

I have no doubt that the quality of these unbranded connectors is going to be terrible.

If they were all the same colour I think it would cause far more problems with confusion about how the internal connections actually work, most people would assume it is a six way commoning connector rather than a 3 way in line connector.

Yes good point.

 

[pirate]

That's the problem. It can be confusing if you always used to use choc-block, as they are straight-through connectors, whereas wago are not, so far.
But after a few bangs, you will learn, yes? I mean, really...2 seconds thought will determine the configuration.

 

[Ampo]

I would avoid them if they are not even brave enough to brand. A cheap socket burning out is one thing but these are usually tucked away in hidden places and could ruin your reputation fairly quickly if one melts. As for the colours it's a bit lazy but connector blocks are no different being clear or white. Cable conductor identification is what's important in my opinion

 

[pirate]

We come back to the nub of the matter, Ampo...
Quality and recognised brands.
Who is going to compromise the integrity of their installation by saving a fiver or a tenner by using untested brands?
Sadly, I think the answer is many people will do exactly that...and we know who these people are.
Happily, I would bet that all on here would refuse to cut corners for a few quid.
No return call-outs, no failures, proper gear...if there is a failure, you can't be blamed for cutting corners...and that is peace of mind, sleeping at night, pride-yes, pride-in a job well done. Avoid the cheap stuff!

 

[ipf]

The main question is, from my point of view, are they maintenance free?
I would imagine the answer is, no.
Useful from a temporary and fault finding point of view, though.
I might call in Elex at Manchester next week and see if there is any sign of them.

 

[pirate]

I'm thinking, as an amateur, even the wagos aren't mf unless installed in a suitable enclosure?
So it's the same dilemma really...they may be classed as mf if they are installed in a proper enclosure, but why would you put budget stuff in an enclosure if you have doubts about there initial quailty/integrity?
Preparing for onslaught...

 

[ipf]

I'm thinking, as an amateur, even the wagos aren't mf unless installed in a suitable enclosure?
So it's the same dilemma really...they may be classed as mf if they are installed in a proper enclosure, but why would you put budget stuff in an enclosure if you have doubts about there initial quailty/integrity?
Preparing for onslaught...

No P, wagos are MF 'in suitable enclosures', as you say but they are recognised as such. Are these?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Who is going to compromise the integrity of their installation by saving a fiver or a tenner by using untested brands?

Well said. Brand reputation itself is not always what it used to be, not least because of the globalisation of manufacture, but it does count for something. Approvals are a start but they only compare the product against the lowest permissible standard. Sometimes you can judge the product for yourself but the contact integrity of a 222-clone is rather inscrutable even if you pull it apart. I would prefer to trust the verdict of the product engineers at a connector manufacturer with a global reputation, rather than a random unknown (who could be a kitchen utensil specialist, for all we know) simply tasked with copying something.

Clearly in this case there is the annoyance that the leading brand doesn't actually make this specific type of product.

 

[pirate]

ipf, that is exactly what I meant!
Wagos ARE mf in suitable enclosures... these cheap ones "may" be if in suitable enclosures, but the question still remains, are the cheap ones good enough to be classed as mf IF in suitable enclosures? We don't know, so why chance it?
Sorry if my post wasn't clear on this.
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Lucien, I agree that it is annoying that the leading brand doesn't make this type of connector, but I suspect that as their focus is on "commoning" connectors rather than "straight through" ones, they want to avoid the very confusion I alluded to earlier.
They are a market leader, they have the resources to have the manufacture done to the correct standard, and a huge, global reputation to protect. So, if you use them, and there is nothing better available, you have installed the best, and no-one can criticise you for that. However...install ones that are a few pence cheaper, and you will be seen for what you are...

 

[davesparks]

Clearly in this case there is the annoyance that the leading brand doesn't actually make this specific type of product.

But is there a real need for this type of product?

 

[pirate]

davesparks, yes is the answer...for those who love choc-block, want the space-saving , and the speed that lever connectors provide...at a really cheap price, which says it all, really.
However...if wago made them, i would use them for exactly the space-saving and speed reasons, where necessary...happy that they were fit for purpose.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

It would be very handy. I often want to do what it specifically does well; quickly make a compact inline joint between two 3-core cables of different constructions that are within the compatibility range of 222-type contacts.

 

[pirate]

Exactly, Lucien! One connector, three cores, joined safely. Handy indeed.

 

[ipf]

It would be very handy. I often want to do what it specifically does well; quickly make a compact inline joint between two 3-core cables of different constructions that are within the compatibility range of 222-type contacts.

I think most are in agreement there, that's why the disquiet.

 

[stevethesparks]

They appear to be quite expensive, but I can see there can be an advantage for a straight through connection.
I have just emailed Toolstation for a BS/EN number for these devices.
I'll advise on any reply.

 

[westward10]

I don't know the answer but maybe compliance is more difficult to achieve with a multi-pole connector which is why recognised brands do not bother, no demand?