Question for MaineSail re: T or Y connections?

[sionnach]

Hi -
I am running wiring that will have a common power line that branches off at two points and terminates at the third point.

What would be the best method of wiring, crimping and sealing a connection of this sort?

Is there an industry recommendation?

I have looked at the crimper shoot-out and did not see anything in there other than termination ends and butt joins.

Would love some guidance.

Many thanks.
--
Todd

 

[Maine Sail]

Hi -
I am running wiring that will have a common power line that branches off at two points and terminates at the third point.

What would be the best method of wiring, crimping and sealing a connection of this sort?

Is there an industry recommendation?

I have looked at the crimper shoot-out and did not see anything in there other than termination ends and butt joins.

Would love some guidance.

Many thanks.
--
Todd

My preference is a terminal strip and is what I use. Some folks will put two wires into one end of a step down butt splice but I still prefer a t-strip. The 3 way devices tend to get loose at the rivet..

 

[kenn]

As Mainesail suggests, crimped lugs and terminal strips are the best idea because they're very secure, but also maintainable.

As for industry practice, they're mostly common-sense electrical rules:
- all wire connections should be accessible; it's bad to make a splice or connection then bury it
- use stranded marine-purpose wire, properly sized for the load.
- follow industry wire colour recommendations; label wire ends whenever possible
- don't splice short wires together to make up a long run.
- select the DC panel breaker to match the safe load capacity of the wire
- use only approved connection methods: properly sized and crimped splices and lugs, terminal strips
- properly support and protect the wiring runs

You can get all these details from a good marine electric reference, such as the marine electrical books from Nigel Calder or Charlie Wing.

In practice, this comes down to a few options:
- run all power wires from each load directly back to the panel, and the load-combining happens on terminal strips located there. This avoids having to remember where all the splices are, but can get unruly really fast at the panel if you're not well-organized.
- "daisy-chain" at the fixtures. For example if you want to run 3 lights from the same switch, you'd have a pair running from the switch to the first light, then a pair running from the first light to the second light, and one pair running from the second light to the last light. All the splices would be made behind the lights, not buried in a wall. Note that you have to ensure you're using properly sized wire: the first wire is powering 3 lights, the second wire powers 2 lights.

 

[JMM]

The 3 way devices tend to get loose at the rivet..

I really do understand those 3 ( or even 4-way) devices -- they all seem to be loose at the rivet even when new - almost like they need a bolt -- I guess you could fasten them to a stud? I had bought some thinking they would be useful and have not used them yet.

Be nice if they made lights with built in terminal post option instead of just lead wires .. stringing several together on a circuit seems pretty typical.

Jim