How the Heck to Use Euro Terminal Strips?

Yes. There are jumpers to connect side by side tops of the pairs together. I made mine...I used 20 ga wire and bent short lengths into the shape of a staple and dropped them down into the tops so that the tops are daisy chained, connected together for as many pairs as you want connected together. 

This configuration is quite common for terminal strips and the isolated pairs allow great flexibility and efficiency.

There are commercially available jumpers which can be cut to include as many pairs as required for a specific application. But they are easy to make with bare wire.

See this post,there are a few pictures with jumper wires

 

LINK

 

Dale H

Jumpers are available as shown.You need to know what size terminal strip as they are manufactured in various sizes measured in MM between centerline of each terminal commonly 8mm,10mm,12mm.

Hey, thanks guys. That's what I suspected I would now have to do.  

 

Instead of having the consumer go to all this trouble, why the heck don't they just make them in the other configuration too, like the MTH terminal strip configuration?  Geez. 

 

Thanks,

 

Peter

Because they are terminal strips or blocks-a place to make connections simple.

 

You want a terminal bus block or bar.

 

Using two of the these with the jumpers is a lot less expensive than buying one.

 

One always pays for convenience or plug'n'play in today's terms. 

if you look at my previous link,the terminal strips are used for various applications. Many of them are not used for bus wiring but as straight through connectors and connecting fuses, diodes etc.

 

here are some for a bit over $2 each

 

LINK

 

How much are the MTH strips you speak of?

 

Making jumpers just takes a few moments,no big deal and as another poster has shown there are premade jumpers..

 

Dale H

Do you have a source for these?

Not every electronic produced revolves around model trains. Some we adapt for our useage like these terminal strips/bus bars.

My workplace probably has at the very least five hundred of these if you took a day or three and opened every electrical box. Sure it might not be convienient to daisy-chain a pile of wire together but that's one of the facets of model railroading that the other scales (and some of the wizards on here) experience on a regular basis.

As for how to use them:
1. Strip ends of wire back 1/4" using teeth/knife.
2. Shove the wire(s) into the hole that doesn't have a screw.
3. Stuff matching screwdriver into hole with screw.
4. Turn to right.
5. Repeat as required, reverse steps if disassembling.

If you only have one block, split it up into thirds.

I've got several dozen behind the control panel on my layout.  That way I could wire the layout to a terminal point, and then wire the panel.  Makes it easier to make changes to the panel.

If you want to connect many wires to a common point, that can handle 20A, cheaply, you could use a grounding bar. You can find them at any large home supply store such as Home Depot or Menards or Lowes. They go inside an AC power panel to hook up all the "greens".

 

Downside is you have to find a way to mount them and keep them away from each other, since they are not insulated. Then again, neither is your track. Another downside could be the smallest wire you could hold down would be maybe 18 gauge.

 

I've seen the light. Thanks guys.  

 

Steve Horvath - do you have a source for the little connectors in your posted photo?  I actually got up at 5 a.m. today and jumper wired them but I think the connectors in your photo are actually much better in terms of certainty and no worries about a jumper popping out if the screw is loosened.  

 

 

I think this is the brand...

 

http://www.altechcorp.com/HTML/Eurostrips-A.html

 

Now on to see who sells them.

As Michael T. said,  Use AC Panel grounding bars!

 

 

Not too expensive at the 'Depot, and lots of wires can be connected (more than one under each screw if needed).  Available with various numbers of screws!

 

Ed

Mouser has them...

 

http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/16/Euro7-21095.pdf

Search the bay for 8 way terminal block bus bar. I have several that I use for lights and powering switches. You can find them for about $8 if you buy in quantity.

Hi Peter,

Nice to see you are still working on the railroad hope all is well. I have them available on my website also. www.montanarailpower.com

They are called "Choc Blocks" in sparky slang in the UK. The design may appear odd but they are used where you guys tend to use wire nuts. I.E. light fittings would be connected with these to your house wiring.

 

I also find they are incredibly expensive on your side of the pond. One strip cost me $8 in Lowes. I can buy the same here for £1.

Hey we just found the only thing that's cheaper than the States here in rip off Britain! 

 

Nick

Hi Steve,

 

Slowly plugging away. Will call you soon to catch up. This has been a roller coaster year for us.  Thanks for the info on the connector pieces. Best, Peter

The cost of the jumpers seems high compared to the price of the connector strip itself. Bare wire jumpers in the shape of a staple are easy and cheap though.

I bought a bunch of these 8mm with 12 positions (my euro strips are 8 mm ones) figuring I can cut them to any length. I have received them and they are great. I cut one to a four and an eight. works great. Simpler than wiring jumpers and neat looking as well.

I got them from...

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281830...e=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

and couldn't be more pleased. For less than $50 I have a life time supply (hoping that is a long time ).

They have two lots left on their listing...no idea about relisting, etc.