The process of making these connections tears the insulation and leaves some of the wire exposed. Now, let’s just say hypothetically that you do establish a perfect connection during the process of installing one of these taps – what then? This is where you have to be concerned about the long-term, surprise you one day/night, maybe leave you stuck on the side of the road, kind of problems. I speak about this with experience because when I was younger I made these exact mistakes! If you choose a size too big or a size too small for the wire you’re tapping into then you will end up with an exaggerated version of the 2 problems I discuss above. Second, when the connection process does strip the insulation without completely trashing the wire then the opposite is sometimes true – it only makes limited contact with the wire.īoth the over and under “stripped” problems I mentioned above are often exacerbated by users who do not realize the color/sizing relationship of these connectors to the wires. It is actually quite common that this does happen. The problem is that there is no guarantee that you won’t accidentally catch some of the wire in this process and tear some of the individual wire strands. The concept behind this is fine – it’s supposed to strip back the insulation on the wire to make contact with the wire itself. Now you might wonder what the problem with this is, what makes this so bad? I mean, it’s a quick and easy solution to splicing wires, and it helps those without much electrical skill to add accessories, right? While all this is true, the problems come from a handful of different issues that arise from the nature of the connection itself.įirst, the simple act of pressing the wire into this slotted metal piece bludgeons the wire. ![]() If you look at the 2 bottom pictures you can get an idea of what I’m talking about. The T-tap accomplishes the same thing as the inline splice but it only cuts it’s way into one wire, the second wire that is “tapping” into it plugs in via a common spade style connector. The other style commonly used in automotive and motorcycle applications is the T-tap (see pics to right). The little plastic strap folds over and clips in place to hold the metal bit in place. When the metal portion is pressed down with a pair of pliers it cuts like a small guillotine into both wires and establishes a connection across the 2 wires in the process. Inline wire taps (like the top picture) work by placing the connector around an existing wire and then feeding the clean cut end of another wire into it. In some cases these connectors can be useful and save a lot of time, but the types and sizes that are typically used for automotive and motorcycle applications (typically 18-22 gauge) can cause a number of problems up to and including complete failure of the splice. The different colors indicate the size (gauge) of the wire they are designed to work on. These connectors are commonly referred to as “vampire connectors” because they “bite” into another wire to “suck” power. 3M™ makes a lot of these under the Scotchlok™ name in all sorts of sizes and for all types of uses (see pics to the right). Mo-Kit Consumables combines its excellent customer service with a wide range of high quality 3M products to provide the best support possible for your installation or project.Many electrical accessories today come with connectors that are designed to “splice” connections into other wires without the need for cutting and soldering. ![]() In everything from convenient domestic solutions to complex industrial set ups, 3M provide cables and electrical connectors to suit your needs. Why choose 3M?ģM are a trusted name in cabling and cable connectors. ![]() With a quick snapping action, this T-tap connector is a tool-less solution to wire termination, and is used in a variety of industries and application. Features and BenefitsĪ T-splice connector is used to connect one wire end to the middle of another wire, creating a ’t-junction’ style electrical connection. With a high temperature rating and various sizes available these units are suitable for many possible applications. The female connector then mates with a male tab offering a re-usable quick connect wiring termination. These T-Tap units have been designed to be able to electrically tap into a wire in mid-span without the need to cut or strip the wire. 3M Scotchlok™ Female QuickSlide Disconnect
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