Terminal Block Accepts Small Wires

The Pivot Block terminal block product line has grown to include a new design based on 3.5-mm centerlines that accepts solid or standard 26 AWG wires. These small wires are commonly found in power supplies, process controls, HVAC equipment, and telecomm equipment. Wires terminate to Pivot Block connectors with tool-less insulation displacement contacts rated for up to 10 wire-insertion cycles. Rather than employ a cage clamp or other tool-actuated mechanism, the termination is made by inserting the unstripped wire into a wire stuffer and snapping the wire stuffer shut. This eliminates wire stripping and tool-actuated termination. Test points for each contact are included in the wire stuffer for simple field-testing. Offering an alternative to screw-clamp plugs, the new terminal block can mate with 3.5-mm horizontal and vertical headers and is available in two through 16 positions with flanged or flat ends. It has tin-lead plating over phosphor bronze contacts rated for up to 2.5A and a 250V operating voltage. The housing is available in green polyester; the wire stuffer is clear polycarbonate. Pricing for a two-position Pivot Block 3.5-mm terminal block is $0.60 each/5,000. TYCO ELECTRONICS, Harrisburg, PA. (800) 522-6752.