I am trying to do a quick hook-up of my auto back-up camera. I don’t want to strip wires, as I usually cut about 1/3 of the wire as well as the plastic covering.
There is a kind of connector that will just spear through the wires and create the electrical contact. I went to Lowes and Walmart. I didn’t ask anybody since WM would give me a blank look, and Lowes didn’t have anybody within 15 aisles, so I just looked. And, struck out.
So, what kind of connector is that called? Also, where would I get some?
What type of wire is involved here? How many conductors, and what size? Is it a coax? Are you splicing two sections of wire together, or terminating a wire at some plug/receptacle?
I’m not sure I have the answer but likely anyone who does will need to know that.
The only wire-piercing connector I am familiar with is for use on ‘lamp cord’ - the type of wire on a table lamp (surprise!) or extension cord;
If you’re talking about splicing small wires together, you want something like this.
Like Kevbo said, go to an auto parts store. There’s a couple of different kinds. Some snap shut, some require the back end of a wire stripper to clamp shut, some require a little of each (like the one on the left side of the picture). Auto Zone is usually pretty helpful.
ETA, inside those ones is something like this. When you close it, it cuts through the insulation.
If you really don’t want to strip any wire, get the kind that are meant to splice two wires together at the same time.
They have them but I do not know what they are called. Common in low voltage lighting systems used for landscaping but there are far more uses for them.
“auto” as in automobile? Trying to connect its wires to those already in the car without cutting or stripping? Go to an auto parts store and ask for side-by-side quick splice connectors. Get the right size for the wire gauge(s) involved (they’re color-coded by size.)
I agree, anytime troubleshooting wires these type connectors usually turned out to be the culprit. Another ting, the cheap wire crimpers are also problems just waiting to happen. Give the wire a good tug after crimping to make sure it is crimped firmly.
Spring for 2 tools: a wire stripper and a RATCHET-type crimper - you will need dies for whatever type connector you use.
As to connectors:
Do you want to be ale to disconnect this easily, or is a permanent install?
Perm: crimped connectors - tube style. The dies will be color-coded for common wire terminals. Note: there are different dies for insulated and non-insulated terminals.*
Disconnect: D-sub (low amperage only). Cannon (expensive), “Molex” - this is the white block connector like the usual connectors in autos. Also cheap.
Radio shack can do for this. Fry’s will do it better. Ebay will probably beat both.
Do not use the “wire” sold at auto stores - the stuff is absolute crap, and 2-3 years would be how loong I’d expect it to last. You don’t need Mil-Spec, but at least upgrade to Radio Shack wire. (“upgrade” and “to Radio Shack” do NOT belong in the same sentence.
spring for a ratchet ($30 or so) and buy an assortment of ring, spade, whatever terminals - now, for the rest of your life, you are no longer trying to twist wires together, or wrap a bare wire around a screw terminal.
The general term for a parasitic connector that bites down on a wire or cable like that is a vampire tap. Poking around on Google I see they’re made for all sorts of applications; even network data connections.
the general term used in product labeling for a connector that pierces the insulation and not requiring stripping is an insulation-displacement connector (IDC),
The general term I use for them is piece of crap connectors that cause more problems than they are worth. But yes, Vampire Connector or Vampire Tap is the correct term. While IDC is the more correct technical term, I almost never hear them called that.
If you are having difficulty stripping the wire, buy a decent pair of wire strippers instead of using crappy vampire connectors.
