"Vago" (clamp of wires): instruction how to use

When conducting electrical work, the lion's share of time is occupied by making wire connections in junction boxes. In addition to the laboriousness of the creation of junction boxes are the weak point of any electrical wiring, most of the malfunctions are caused by a bad contact or a short circuit in them.

Conventional ways of connecting wires

Historically, the connections were made by twisting or using screw terminals. Wire twisting is the simplest and most common method of installation, but it also has drawbacks:

• Do not twist together copper and aluminum wires.
• Do not twist the stranded wires.
• The size of the twist must be at least five turns.
• Do not twist the wires of different sections.
• To ensure that the twist has not weakened over the years, it either gets welded, or special spring-loaded caps are used, soldering is also used for copper wires, but this is quite laborious.
• It is necessary to additionally isolate the place of twisting.
• It is not recommended to connect more than three wires.

The use of screw terminals also has limitations due to large dimensions, a small number of connected wires, a weakening of the screw connection with time and of course laboriousness.

Advantages and disadvantages of clamps "Vago"

An alternative method of installation is to use a quick-clamp terminal block. Terminal clamps "Vago" have a number of undeniable advantages in the performance of electrical installation works:

• The possibility of connecting aluminum and copper wires.
• Connecting wires of different diameters from 0.5 to 4.0 square meters. Mm.
• Use of stranded wires.
• Rated current up to 32A.
• Connect up to eight wires in one group.
• Quick and convenient installation without the use of special tools.
• Insulated electrical connection.
• Compact size of the terminal strip.
• The possibility of visual control of the connection through a transparent case.
• Individual models allow for a disassembly.
• The presence of special holes in the housing for connecting instrumentation.

The only drawback of these connectors is their price, but it is more than compensated by saving time during installation, reliability and durability of the connection. Also, a high density of installation can be achieved by applying the clamp "VAGO" (the photo shows the accuracy of mounting terminal blocks in the junction box).

Types of clamps "Vago"

The company produces terminals with clamping devices of the following types:

• Spring clamps.
• FIT-CLAMP clamps.
• Clips CAGE CLAMP.

Terminals with flat spring clamps are the most simple and budgetary solution for connecting wires. The clamp is a block of flat steel springs pressed into a polycarbonate casing. Blocks with a number of contacts from two to eight are issued. The clamp is designed for single-use connection of wires, reuse is undesirable, as the spring force is weakened.

The FIT-CLAMP terminals use a mortise contact (IDC), which provides the fastest mounting option. These devices allow you to connect the wires without first removing the insulation.

In terminals with CAGE CLAMP clamps, the steel spring is made separately from the conductive copper bus. For the production of conductive platinum, tinned copper is used. This clamp design allows the use of any wires, including thin and stranded wires.

Product Range

The range of "Vago" terminal connectors (clamps whose characteristics we consider) is as follows:

• 294 and 294 Linec - specialized terminals for connection of power supplies and lighting devices, are designed for branching three conductors: phase, zero and protective earth.
• 224 - a series for connection of fine-wire conductors of lighting devices to the distribution network.
• 243 PUSH WIRE - for connecting single-core wires of small cross-sections.
• 2273 COMPACT PUSH WIRE - used to connect any wires in junction boxes.
• 273 and 773 PUSH WIRE - connection of single-core wires in wiring boxes.
• 222 - universal terminals for multiple connection of any wires with a cross section of 0.08 mm square.
• 221 WAGO COMPACT - universal terminal block of reduced size for multiple connection of any wires with a cross section of 0.2 mm square.

Let us consider in more detail the clamps of the wagon. How to use the terminals of each series?

Connectors 294 and 294 Linect

Used in the terminal blocks of these series, Push-in CAGE CLAMP terminals allow the connection of single-, multi-and fine-wire cables without the use of a special tool. Optionally, the PE direct protective earth contact can be located below the connector and used to connect to the PE bus during installation. On the side of the internal connection there is a fully functional third contact for each pole with a cross-section from 0.5 to 0.75 square meters. Mm. The corresponding PE-pole can be equipped with an external PE contact (protective ground). To connect the connected device in each group, there is a third clamp with a cross section of 0.5-0.75 mm square. These "VAGO" wire clips are mounted as follows:

• The distribution circuit, to which a luminaire or other load is to be connected in parallel, is cut.
• From the cut ends of the wires, the insulation is removed for a length of 1 cm.
• Press the moving part of the terminal and insert the stripped wires into the opened hole of the corresponding pole until it stops.
• Release the movable part of the wagon terminal, the clamp will fix the wire.
• Connect the wires of the lighting device to the self-clamping contacts of each pole.

For ease of installation, each terminal pole is marked with Latin letters L, N, PE.

Products of the 224 series

This clamp "VAGO" - for stranded wires of lighting devices or other low-current load. The thin conductor of the lighting fixture can be connected to the end or to the break of the distribution network. Each terminal is designed to connect to one pole of the electrical network. The section of the wires of the distribution network is 1-2.5 mm square, and the connected device is 0.5-2.5 mm square. Each pole section from 0.5 to 0.75 mm2. The terminal must be mounted in the following sequence:

• When the distribution line is connected to the break, the supply wire is cut.
• From the cut ends of the wires, the insulation is removed for a length of 1 cm.
• The distribution network wires are inserted into the round holes of the self-clamping contacts.
• Press the moving part of the terminal and insert the stripped wire from the lighting fixture into the square hole until it stops.
• Release the moving part of the terminal, the clamp will fix the wire.

Terminals 243 series

243 series "Vago" (clamp PUSH WIRE) is used to connect low-current devices with single-core wires of small cross-sections from 0.5 to 0.8 mm square. Have an ultra-compact size. The models are available for connecting from three to eight wires. The nominal voltage of the device is up to 100V, the maximum current is up to 6A.

Clamps 273 and 773 series

These "Vago" series (PUSH WIRE clamp) are designed for mounting single-core wires in junction boxes and differ in the maximum cross-section of wires: up to 2.5 mm2. For the 273 series and up to 4 mm square. For the 773rd. The maximum permissible current of products is up to 32A.

Clamps 2273 series

The 2273 series terminals with the COMPACT PUSH WIRE contacts are compact in size, which greatly compacts the installation. The current load of these terminals is up to 24A. Nominal series includes products for connecting up to eight wires. The use of stranded, aluminum or copper wires with a cross section of 0.5 to 2.5 mm square is allowed.

Plate clamping terminals 243, 273, 773 and 2273 series are manually mounted without the use of special tools in the following sequence:

• The ends of the wires are stripped to a length of 10 mm.
• The bare ends of the wires are inserted into the terminal holes until they stop.
• The correct installation is controlled through the transparent cover of the terminal housing.

Products 222 and 221 series

The clamps of these series differ in the size and type of the enclosure. The devices allow multiple installation of any wires with a cross-section from 0.08 mm for 222 series and from 0.2 to 4.0 mm square. (For the 221 series). Options are available for connecting two, three and five wires. The maximum clamping current is 32A. Series 221 comes in a compact package with a transparent cover.

The clamps are mounted manually:

• The ends of the wires are stripped to a length of 10 mm.
• The orange levers on the "VAGO" terminal block are raised, the clamp opens the opening of the spring contact.
• The bare ends of the wires are inserted into the terminal holes until they stop.
• The levers are lowered to their original position, releasing the contact spring and clamping the wire.
• For products of the 221 series, you can check the quality of the installation through a transparent housing.

General instructions for installation

Terminal clamps "Vago" are widely used all over the world and have proved their effectiveness. However, it is necessary to follow some simple recommendations when installing them:

• The total load of all lines connected to one terminal must not exceed its rated current. It is always advisable to select a terminal with a current margin.
• Take into account the product's passport data - the maximum voltage, the range of conductor cross-sections and their type.
• The terminals must be installed only in distribution boxes.
• The junction boxes must be located in an accessible place for inspection.
• Always leave a supply of wires sufficient for re-installation.
• When stripping the ends of the wires, use special marks on the terminal block. Straightly stripped wires will allow the correct installation in the clamps.
• When installing aluminum wires, use a special paste, which excludes the oxidation of aluminum.
• To monitor the voltage at the mounted terminals, connect the meter to the specially designed holes in the terminal blocks.

For more than 35 years, electricians all over the world have used clamps "Vago". Feedback from satisfied users about the use of these products speak for themselves.