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I've a project where I'm installing some LED lighting. I am currently using crimp connectors and electrical tape to join two pieces of wire or fork wire, but I find this to be ugly. I would like to know what solder-free alternatives there are to joining two wires or forking wires into 2 or more wires that have a fairly low profile and form good mechanical and electrical connections. The wiring is probably 1-2mm in diameter including insulation.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Solder + heatshrink looks a lot neater, especially if you can get small-diameter heatshink tubing that matches the color of the wire. \$\endgroup\$
    – Dave Tweed
    Jan 24, 2013 at 17:07
  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks, but I am looking specifically for solder-free solutions \$\endgroup\$ Jan 24, 2013 at 17:17
  • \$\begingroup\$ Wire joins and forks also known as splices to many. Added comment for keyword capture. \$\endgroup\$
    – JYelton
    Jan 25, 2013 at 18:10

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Wago Lever-nuts are good for quick reliable connections. I use them all the time when assembling test fixtures or making temporary connections. Wire nuts are also good if the connection is meant to be permanent. Although I haven't used them these seem to be lower profile and maybe closer to what you are looking for.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ The lighting connectors looks good! \$\endgroup\$ Jan 24, 2013 at 21:51
  • \$\begingroup\$ diy.stackexchange.com/questions/10144/… This explains a lot ... and also makes me mad. I thought I was stupid because I couldn't find appropriate solutions in the shops... \$\endgroup\$ Jan 24, 2013 at 22:17
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I prefer non-insulated barrel/butt splices with heatshrink over. It looks clean and provides a very reliable connection without solder, and at a reasonable cost. Only inexpensive crimp tools are required.

The raw splices look like this:

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The finished product looks like this (this example uses adhesive-lined heatshrink, though that is unnecessary for indoor applications)

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Don't use the insulated (red/blue/yellow plastic, typically) barrel splices; the insulation often prevents a good crimp and they look awful.

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If you want the insulation built in, use crimp splices that have integral shrink insulation.

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