What reliable twisting or Wago terminal?
Anyone who in any way associated with the electrician certainly not often heard argument: "What better use for connecting wires, Wago terminals or conventional twist? And some of these compounds are safer?". Today, we will discuss both methods, we will talk about their strengths and weaknesses, and in the end of the article to sum up a little, which I hope you, add your comments.
In Europe, Vago is very popular for decades, but in the countries of the former Soviet Union to these terminals are still many distrust. This is not surprising, because in our market appeared relatively recently Vago (12 years ago). For many accustomed to connect the wires of an old-fashioned way - the usual twist, which can not argue about the reliability.
Stranding uniquely reliable connection, but only if it is done correctly. Proper twisted pair of pliers is followed by soldering or welding. This is followed by isolation. As the insulation is best to use heat shrinkable tubing with an adhesive layer. Thus the wires will not occur oxidation, since the adhesive composition completely isolates the junction from exposure to oxygen and moisture.
As you can imagine, for the right twist, you'll need additional tools. Wire twisted hands and how horrible crocked tape will not be considered a reliable connection. This is the first disadvantage.
The second major drawback of conventional stranding appears when it is necessary to alter a line in the junction box. You need to eat the old twist again to clean up the wires and connect them to reel isolation again. All this takes a lot of time. However, the reliability of the connection is irrelevant, so the fault can be omitted.
We now turn to the terminals Wago. To begin, let's look at some terminals there. Vago clips can be divided into two types. The first terminals comprise within the housing paste (white petrolatum) which isolates a contact location from the external environment. These terminals are intended to connect single core wire (aluminum and copper).
The second terminal without paste and they are intended exclusively for clamping copper wires (both single-core and multicore).
Unlike twist, connecting wires with the help of German terminals much faster. All you need, it's clean wire and insert it into the terminal until it stops. And so, the first plus Vago in the quick installation (dismantling), which requires no special tools or additional insulation.
A second advantage of the German terminals is that they can connect dissimilar metals (aluminum and copper). Usually twisting connecting aluminum and copper wiring is prohibited.
Vago terminals compared with a conventional twist have many advantages, but what can you say about their reliability? Many skeptics say that the German clamps can be used for lighting only, as they can not withstand a large load. If we look in the manual, you will see that the terminal withstand current up to 24 A, which is not so little. If your settings do not exceed these figures, then, without doubt, the terminals can be used, and the connection is reliable. From personal experience I would say that in five years I have not burned any one terminal, though in the house, there are powerful devices (boiler, induction cooker, oven, etc.). The main use of original clips, not the fake. And one important condition: the machine that protects the line where installed Vago, should be designed for 20 A.
To summarize. In general, both methods have their pros and cons, but the reliability of both options do not yield to each other. If you do everything right, then twist and terminals will serve you for years to come. Of course, how to connect wires up to you, personally I use as a twist and Vago terminals, but their preference is given to all the terminals.