Useful connectors from toolstation

[Gavin John Hyde]

A few months ago Johnward did a youtube video of the fake chinese wagos, some were straight through ones of dubious quality.
Well it seems Inline (usually decent company) are now making 32 amp rated 3 pole straight through connectors, sold in toolstation. actually look alright and would certainly be useful and save using 3 separate connectors in a tight space. Still surprised wago have not made these themselves.
Can see lots of uses for these from extending cables on a fuse board change or just for linking out two cables.
anybody bought any yet? if so whats the quality like?

 

[ipf]

I'm thinking, as an amateur, even the wagos aren't mf unless installed in a suitable enclosure?
So it's the same dilemma really...they may be classed as mf if they are installed in a proper enclosure, but why would you put budget stuff in an enclosure if you have doubts about there initial quailty/integrity?
Preparing for onslaught...

No P, wagos are MF 'in suitable enclosures', as you say but they are recognised as such. Are these?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Who is going to compromise the integrity of their installation by saving a fiver or a tenner by using untested brands?

Well said. Brand reputation itself is not always what it used to be, not least because of the globalisation of manufacture, but it does count for something. Approvals are a start but they only compare the product against the lowest permissible standard. Sometimes you can judge the product for yourself but the contact integrity of a 222-clone is rather inscrutable even if you pull it apart. I would prefer to trust the verdict of the product engineers at a connector manufacturer with a global reputation, rather than a random unknown (who could be a kitchen utensil specialist, for all we know) simply tasked with copying something.

Clearly in this case there is the annoyance that the leading brand doesn't actually make this specific type of product.

 

[pirate]

ipf, that is exactly what I meant!
Wagos ARE mf in suitable enclosures... these cheap ones "may" be if in suitable enclosures, but the question still remains, are the cheap ones good enough to be classed as mf IF in suitable enclosures? We don't know, so why chance it?
Sorry if my post wasn't clear on this.
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Lucien, I agree that it is annoying that the leading brand doesn't make this type of connector, but I suspect that as their focus is on "commoning" connectors rather than "straight through" ones, they want to avoid the very confusion I alluded to earlier.
They are a market leader, they have the resources to have the manufacture done to the correct standard, and a huge, global reputation to protect. So, if you use them, and there is nothing better available, you have installed the best, and no-one can criticise you for that. However...install ones that are a few pence cheaper, and you will be seen for what you are...

 

[davesparks]

Clearly in this case there is the annoyance that the leading brand doesn't actually make this specific type of product.

But is there a real need for this type of product?

 

[pirate]

davesparks, yes is the answer...for those who love choc-block, want the space-saving , and the speed that lever connectors provide...at a really cheap price, which says it all, really.
However...if wago made them, i would use them for exactly the space-saving and speed reasons, where necessary...happy that they were fit for purpose.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

It would be very handy. I often want to do what it specifically does well; quickly make a compact inline joint between two 3-core cables of different constructions that are within the compatibility range of 222-type contacts.

 

[pirate]

Exactly, Lucien! One connector, three cores, joined safely. Handy indeed.

 

[ipf]

It would be very handy. I often want to do what it specifically does well; quickly make a compact inline joint between two 3-core cables of different constructions that are within the compatibility range of 222-type contacts.

I think most are in agreement there, that's why the disquiet.

 

[stevethesparks]

They appear to be quite expensive, but I can see there can be an advantage for a straight through connection.
I have just emailed Toolstation for a BS/EN number for these devices.
I'll advise on any reply.

 

[westward10]

I don't know the answer but maybe compliance is more difficult to achieve with a multi-pole connector which is why recognised brands do not bother, no demand?

 

[stevethesparks]

They appear to be quite expensive, but I can see there can be an advantage for a straight through connection.
I have just emailed Toolstation for a BS/EN number for these devices.
I'll advise on any reply.

No reply as yet :-(

 

[Mike Johnson]

Well they are CE marked, the only other marking that may have relevance is "PCT-2-3" other markings are standard cable size and ratings. And they fit into a Wago box.

I posted this some time ago: Wago 222 and an unbranded copy tested to destruction - https://www.flameport.com/dont_try_at_home/unsafe_experiments/wago_vs_fako_connectors.cs4

 

[Zerax]

Well they are CE marked...

Yeah, but everything is Chinese Export these days...

 

[GBDamo]

Thanks for the laughs, cant believe the state of fear some people exist under.

It's a yellow lever for crying out loud, the green and yellow sleaving/insulation should be all the indication needed unless you're the most obstrictive problem finder.

Anyhow, they're CE marked therefore approved for use within their design parameters.

Be nice if there was a nice compact enclosure for them to provide some stress relief for incoming and outgoing cables.

 

[telectrix]

i'd have no qualms about using these to extend cables inside a CU when upgrading and finding cables short. in fact i have 1 tomorrow where i think cables will be short. keep y'all posted.