Phoenix Connector Terminations

[mediatechnology]

I terminate the shielded twisted pair to three pin male header connections:


Use a multi-pin male header for connections to Phoenix connectors.

That makes connecting and disconnecting the Phoenix connections easier.

[JR.]

I always thought Phoenix connectors were screw capture loose wire. like

That almost looks like an amp/molex whatever header.

JR

[mediatechnology]

They are Molex Centigrid-III headers.

You insert the header into the Phoenix connector and use it as a ferule.



If the crimp tools for Molex KK or Centrigrid-III weren't $400 each I would use them.
Phoenix are more DIY-friendly.

[Gold]

You can use a generic barrel crimper for Molex KK. So more like $20 on the bay. I’m not a big fan of Molex KK. When the connector is seated it still can move around a bit. That makes me nervous. I love the Phoenix connectors. I replace Molex KK with phoenix connectors whenever I can. The relay switcher I have used the type above where the wires are secured by screws to the female part of the connector.

[Gold]

I get ferrules from McMaster-Carr. They are much less expensive than Mouser for some reason.
https://www.mcmaster.com/?m=true%20Forc ... s/=1ccblw5

I use a Wiha crimp pliers
https://www.wihatools.com/softgrip-crimping-pliers

[JR.]

Gotcha,,, neater and faster than tinned wire leads for bench work.

JR

[mediatechnology]

I'm not crazy about the Molex KK either.
I've had to repair bad crimps in a lot of commerically-produced gear using them.

I started using the headers for my test jigs.

[Gold]

Gotcha,,, neater and faster than tinned wire leads for bench work.

JR

If you leave the wire bare the strands spread when you tighten the screw making poor contact. If you tin the wire it becomes brittle and easily breaks. The ferrules allow good contact and provide strain relief.

[mediatechnology]

If you leave the wire bare the strands spread when you tighten the screw making poor contact. If you tin the wire it becomes brittle and easily breaks. The ferrules allow good contact and provide strain relief.

And if you do either of those things more than once the conductors look really torn up and mangled.