Adhesive tape Lock - wire connectors for quick installation, we understand their suitability

Hello dear subscribers and guests of my channel! Today I want to tell you about this type of quick wire connection as ScotchLock (Scotch Lock).

We will also figure out together how reliable such connectors are, and in what area they are best used. So, let's begin.

What is Scotch Lock

So, first, let's find out what kind of curiosity these tape lock connectors are. Structurally, they are a plastic body, a gel-like filler to prevent oxidation of the bare core (depending on the modification, this may not exist) and metal mortise contact.

ScotchLock designed for different wire cross-sections and, for convenience, differ in color, so here is:

• Red for the cross-section of the clamped wire from 0.5 to 2 mm2.
• Blue for wire cross-section from 2.5 mm2 to 4 mm2.
• The yellow terminal is designed for a wire with a cross section of 4.0 mm2

I bought for trial connectors with plug.

The connector body itself is made of durable plastic that does not support combustion. No matter how hard I tried, the plastic melted under the influence of the flame, but refused to burn on its own.

Since the product is extremely simple, let's move on to practical use.

How to use the Scotch connectorLock

So, in order to connect two wires using ScotchLock we just put one wire into the connector and clamp it:

Then we take the second wire, just put it in the connector and clamp it:

Important! The wires to be connected must be sure to use the cross section for which Scotch Lock is designed, otherwise you will get an extremely unreliable and dangerous connection.

That's it, now we insert the plug into the connector, and our connection is ready.

As you can see, everything is extremely simple and, at first glance, wonderful and rosy. But is it really so? Let's figure it out.

Advantages and disadvantagesScotch connectorLock

Now let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of such connectors. And let's start with the benefits.

pros

Perhaps the only plus that can really be emphasized is the speed and the ability to branch off the wire without removing the voltage. And without stripping the insulation from the wire. On this, perhaps, everything.

Cons of the product

Here the list is much wider, so:

The first thing that I immediately didn’t like was that during installation, the clamping bar literally cuts the vein on the sides:

This is what a properly sized conductor looks like after connecting the Scotch Lock.

And this means that when the wire moves, it is in this place that the probability of a core break is very high.

Many people argue that these connectors are a great solution for automotive wiring. So crimping flexible wires in this way is also undesirable, since the clamping bar can break individual veins, and in this place there will be an unreliable contact with a high contact resistance, which will lead to heating and reflow.

In addition, the connectors considered in this article are not airtight and do not have special fillers, so they have nothing to do in car wiring in principle.

The following samples are suitable for a car:

And then in the case of connecting the radio circuits (except for power supply). In other cases, a soldered twist with heat shrinkage is the most optimal solution.

It is unacceptable to connect aluminum wires using such connectors.

These are all the shortcomings I discovered. If you know more, mention them in the comments.

Application area

The only place where such clamps can be used is communication lines and that's it. There is no place for such connectors in the home network or in the car.

There are more reliable, approved and time-tested ways to connect wires, which you need to use at home.

If you liked the material, then rate it like it and write your attitude towards such connectors. Take care of yourself!