In praise of Posi-Locks

I'm using these, very easy to use, and if you change something, simple to disconnect and use again.  I have the 3-position and 5-position versions.

XHF Lever Wire Nut

John, Wago has a new version of those. They are smaller are clear. Another thing, on version you have, if you happen to have your finger in the wrong place you get quite the whack. I still use the old ones, have then just to the left of the keyboard trying out various 5V to 25V DIN mount relays and SSRs and this USB-to-5V device, that ain't quite 5V (urrgh).

Correct on both counts Michael!  They do have a nasty "SNAP" to them, and I've already felt the pain.   However, the new version is WAY more expensive so I'll live with the pain.  I'm probably going to have a couple hundred of these under the layout before I'm done, .  The costs of laying track/switches, and all the associated electronics is already rocketing out of sight!

John,

When do you use the three vs five position version?  Do these replace terminal strips?

What do you recommend for the three wires going to switches?  (in-line series connections)?

The choice is simple, if I have three wires, I use the three position one, if I have more wires, I use the 5 position one.   I'm using the lever nuts for track power, I have around 70 power drops and four PH180 transformers feeding four channels of the MTH TIU and then split out into around 15-20 track segments.

As far as switches, which wires are you talking about, track power or switch motor control?  Since I'm using the DZ-2500 switch motors and the CSM2 Breakout board, I use much smaller wire for home runs back to the future control panel location.

Am I correct that the lever nuts are 2 in and 1 out for the three position and 4 in and 1 out for the five position?

I'm using tubular switches, so I have one fixed voltage wire (which will be shared with 20 switches) and three conductor wire which will go to multiple SC-2 units. What do yo recommend for wire gauge and connectors?

All the holes are created equal on these, anything you stuff in and lock gets connected to anything else connected to the lever nut.  There is no "in" and "out".

I am correct that the 3 or 5 position connectors act similar to terminal strips?

I'm using tubular switches, so I have one fixed voltage wire (which will be shared with 20 switches) and three conductor wire which will go to multiple SC-2 units. What do you recommend for wire gauge and connectors?

Yep, if you stuff five wires in them, all five are connected together electrically.

There are other "flavors" of lever nuts that do have multiple circuits, however I have never used them and don't have any application for them right now.

Could you help me out on the part of my questions:

I'm using tubular switches, so I have one fixed voltage wire (which will be shared with 20 switches) and three conductor wire which will go to multiple SC-2 units. What do you recommend for wire gauge and connectors? Do you recommend home runs for switches and avoiding connections?

Well, I'd use a heavier wire for tubular switches, if you're talking about something like the O22, they can draw several amps when they switch.  Also, low voltage sometimes will result in incomplete switch movement.  Since you won't be switching all of them at once, you should be able to daisy-chain the power.  Consider at least #18 for the runs to the SC-2 units.  Also, you can position the SC-2 boxes close to the switches they control to avoid long runs.

John,

Thank you for your patience with all of my questions today.  I am setting up a new layout and I have a lot to learn (and re-learn) from my 10 year hiatus.  I've always mounted my  modules on a board near the ZW.  I guess it looks nice!  But since the SC-2 will not need a wall pack for power (fixed voltage to the switches), I can mount the SC-2 under the table, near a group of switches, and save time and wire. BRILLIANT  

I completely agree with the use the excellent products from Posi-Products. I began tapping into buss wires with suitcase type connectors, then read about these, and never went back.  I used posi-tap connectors.  Far superior, especially when joining wires of different gauges.

Michael