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I've got a messy security panel that needs cleaning up badly, as I need to connect another PCB for remote access and can't get the wires to reliably stay in place:

enter image description here

If you look at the black, red, green, and yellow terminals, they already have three separate wire (pairs) connected!

So far, a terminal strip like this is the only solution I can come up with. However, I'd have to add an additional bus bar across the terminals that need to share a signal, which just adds to the size of the bar needed and is a little inconvenient:

enter image description here

There's always Phoenix Contact terminal blocks like the following:

enter image description here

However, at over $10 each from Digikey, it's a pretty expensive (though elegant looking) solution.

I guess I'm looking for something like the following photochopped image?

enter image description here

Note that I'd like a bus bar that connects the columns of terminals...

Can anyone suggest other options?

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3 Answers 3

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A Punchdown block would do nicely.

enter image description here

None of those wires seem high gauged, and some look like they were puled out of cat 5 anyway.

Other names for these are 110 Blocks, 66 Blocks, M-Blocks. They are used for telephone, voice (Cat 3) and data (cat 5/6) wiring. Also used in alarm system wiring.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Ah, I like that! \$\endgroup\$
    – Dave
    Commented Jul 29, 2013 at 18:44
  • \$\begingroup\$ got a direct link? I am fighting with digikey's website on this one... \$\endgroup\$
    – Dave
    Commented Jul 29, 2013 at 19:18
  • \$\begingroup\$ No direct link, but you can get these retail at like Lowes or Home Depot in the cable/tv/phone section, or any telcom or video equipment store. Hell, you could flag down a verizon truck and ask them, they install them in homes for wiring. That specific one I found via google image search, can't vet the store frostelectric.com/… \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Jul 29, 2013 at 20:47
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Dave and avoid the ones marked "split block" or that come with "bridging clips". Those arn't connected in the middle. Most new ones don't use bridging clips, the entire row is connected across. \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Jul 29, 2013 at 20:50
  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks! I'll definitely hit up a store or the local electronics shop. \$\endgroup\$
    – Dave
    Commented Jul 30, 2013 at 1:31
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This terminal block from Phoenix is only $1.07 under 10 CNT. You could get a few of these and a section of DIN rail.

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/3044076/277-2026-ND/2051190 PDF for 3044076 Series

It can also take from 26AWG to 12AWG. Most of your wires look to be 26AWG (or similar).

Dont forget the jumpers to jump the blocks together that you want to match. Example Terminal Block Jumper

I am also a fan of Ferrules but they are definitely not required in a stationary one insert application.

The following is a link to a Ferrule Kit. There are many less expensive ones, this is just one i found quickly on digi.

Example Ferrule Kit

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Your solution would work, but I'd still have to get multiple pieces plus the bus bar, so I'm again nearing the cost of the $10 block that I already pictured in my original question (ok, maybe not as expensive.. :) ). I already have ferrules and a proper crimper and will definitely go that route once I rewire. \$\endgroup\$
    – Dave
    Commented Jul 29, 2013 at 17:10
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My first suggestion is to use crimp terminals (ring or fork) on the wires, rather than just putting the bare wires under the screws. See http://www.parts-express.com/cat/solderless-crimp-terminals/435 , for example.

There are jumper things for use with the barrier terminal strips you show, that can bridge adjacent terminals.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Those usually pull out with small wires like the ones in my panel. However, I've kinda cheated before by folding the exposed wire back on itself to get a "thicker" wire. But then with four connections on each terminal, ring / fork lugs are pretty useless because of the stackup. \$\endgroup\$
    – Dave
    Commented Jul 30, 2013 at 4:06

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