Attaching Alarm Wire to Terminals

[Eugene's DIY Den]

I've wired hundreds of these over the years, but I'm just wondering is there a knack in doing it? Firstly, should I be putting the twisted stranded wires under the screw's head or under the washer beneath the screw head, above the lead to the reed switch? Also two problems I've always had are that the wire squeezes out from under the head when tightening and also the screw head drags the wire core around in a circle, putting excess tension on the wire when it's short. Maybe it's better to take the screws out first, make an eye in the core then tighten? Alternatively I could just use small ring crimps.

Edited November 7, 2024 by Eugene's DIY Den

[sixwheeledbeast]

Don't use them any more, more modern styles have PCB mounted sprung terminals and most things are wired FSL/EOL now.

You should remove enough isolation from the conductors to do a half turn around the screw.

Wrap the conductor with the 7 strands twisted up together, clockwise to make a half turn around the screw.

The washer is to trap the reed conductors securely, I have always gone under the washer but I would imagine it's designed to be between.

[james.wilson]

yeah dont use them anymore but when i did, strip in the normal way (leaving some insulation to twist tight) then wrap around a 2.5mm terminal driver, remove screw and washer and push through loop of cable making sure to keep so when it tightens it doesnt loosen the coil.

 

[PeterJames]

yes strip enough to go around the screw at least once always wrap it clockwise so the wire doesnt come unraveled as you do the screw up

[MrHappy]

4 hours ago, Eugene's DIY Den said:

I've wired hundreds of these over the years,

 

poorly...

[MrHappy]

Unlike my only fans a/c this one's free-

 

 

[sixwheeledbeast]

It may aswell be OF the amount of skin in the shot...

Issue with doing a full turn around the screw is the loop binds causing it to pull round with the pan head; like with the red core here.

 

[norman]

Seems we all do/did them differently...

 

Similar to 6 

Under the washer like JW and only half round with the sheath left on but longer than the cores if that makes sense. 

[sixwheeledbeast]

Yep I'd do exactly like this. All the wrong colours but lets not start that one...

[norman]

Brought up with blue and white as a subby to modern sadly