Cage Clamp TB

7/31/2019 Cage Clamp TB

1/16

The CAGE CLAMP Connection SystemTwenty o the Most Asked Questions


2/16


3/16

The brochure answers twenty of the most asked questions pertaining to the CAGE CLAMP

GE CLAMP


4/16

CAGE CLAMP is a unique, patented, stainless

steel clamping mechanism designed to automati-cally connect solid or stranded wire. VariousCAGE CLAMP sizes are available to accom-modate wire sizes AWG 28-12. Other thanstripping the wire, no special wire preparationsuch as crimps, errules or tinning is necessary.

Most screwless systems oered by other manu-acturers are based on the lea-spring principle.This type o connection is ound in the back omany electrical outlets. Lea-spring is only rec-

ommended or larger, solid wire since it has nosides to contain the strands and because o thesharp angle in which the wire is contacted.

What is CAGE CLAMP and how is itdierent rom other screwless systems?

1

How does the wiring time or CAGECLAMP compare to screw-clamp blocks?

2

The CAGE CLAMP is suitable or:

Solid Stranded Flexible Flexible withFerrule

Flexible withPin Terminal

The WAGO CAGE CLAMP

Lea-spring

Public wiring competitions and major customertime studies have proven a reduction o wiringtime by 75% when comparing manual wiring

o screw-type terminals with CAGE CLAMP

terminals.

Even when powered screwdrivers are used ortightening the clamping screws, there is still atime savings advantage or CAGE CLAMP.

In cases where wire preparation such as crimps,errules or tinning can be eliminated, there areadditional savings. Average wiring time or 100 connections each

Screw-clampterminal blocks

Screwlessterminal blocks


5/16

3. The screwdriver is with-drawn and the wire isautomatically clamped.

Side entry: Operation o theCAGE CLAMP rom the top,wire entry rom the side.

2. The screwdriver is cap-tivated, holding the CAGECLAMP open, while thewire is inserted.

1. The screwdriver is inser-ted with a rocking motionto the stop

How is the operation o CAGE CLAMP

dierent rom screw-clamp blocks?3

Screw connections are operator-dependent. Inother words, they require judgment on the parto the installer as to the tightness o the screw.This can be somewhat controlled in a actorysetting with trained personnel, or with specialtorque screwdrivers. With eld wiring, properscrew connections are more dicult to ensure.

CAGE CLAMPs automatic clamping eatureallows less skilled labor to make quality connec-tions. CAGE CLAMP requires no special toolsand is operated with a standard straight-bladedscrewdriver. Two styles o terminal blocks areavailable: side-entry and ront-entry.

WAGOs CAGE CLAMP system makes

wiring as easy as 1 - 2 - 3


6/16

Why wont the CAGE CLAMP wearout, even ater thousands o actuations?

4

The CAGE CLAMP is computer designed ormaximum reliability. Springs under permanentdynamic load, such as automobile and industrialsprings work reliably and perorm millions ooperations during their lietime. By comparison,the CAGE CLAMP is typically operated only aew times and yet it is designed according to thesame principles as springs under dynamic load.

WAGO has over orty years experience in thedesign and manuacture o high quality connec-

tions. State-o-the-art quality control insures thatthese high standards are maintained.

Why cant the CAGE CLAMP be dam-aged even when handled carelessly?

5

The travel o the spring is limited by the uppersurace o the cage and by a positive stop onthe insulation material o the housing to preventoverstressing o the spring. This makes damageto the CAGE CLAMP impossible or even themost inexperienced operator.

What design eatures o WAGO blocksprevent the splaying o wire strands?

6

WAGO terminal blocks and connectors have a

unneled wire entry which is closed on all sides.This is unlike some manuacturers blocks whichneed the adjacent block to provide this eature.WAGOs housing design, in combination withthe sides o the CAGE CLAMP spring, insurethat the wire is automatically positioned in thecontact area.

The connection o very small wires such as inPLC or proximity sensor applications can bedicult with any terminal block. These ne wires

can deorm when being inserted into the termi-

nal block. This can result in the insulation beingclamped, making troubleshooting dicult andtime consuming. WAGO insulation stops easilysolve these problems.

Spring testing device

Positive stop onCAGE CLAMP

Positive stop onhousing

Funneled wire entry Use o insulation stop


7/16

How does the CAGE CLAMP securethe wire without wire damage?

7

The CAGE CLAMP is designed to give propor-tional clamping, dependent upon the wire size.The larger the wire, the higher the clampingorce.

The fat surace area o the CAGE CLAMPcoupled with the uniquely curved current barprovides a secure connection without wire dam-age.

Also, the angle in which the CAGE CLAMP is

positioned, increases the retention orce when apullout orce is applied.

Each o the photos below show an AWG 24and AWG 14 wire that was connected to theterminal block indicated. The tightening torqueused or the screw-type terminal blocks was thetorque specied by VDE 0609. In practical usethis value varies and is dependent upon the op-erator, whereas, the CAGE CLAMP connectionis automatic and consistent every time.

What is the best way to connectmultiple wires?8

For the purposes o saety, reliability and easeo trouble-shooting, a number o industry andnational standards speciy one wire per clamp-ing point (regardless o the type o connectionused). WAGO has a variety o alternatives tomeet these requirements.

Multiple wire terminal blocks are available inthree- or our-wire ront-entry versions. One-piece insulated jumpers easily common adjacentor alternate terminal blocks.

In both cases, each wire as its own CAGECLAMP and because o the ront-entryeature, it requires no more space than a two-conductor terminal block.

CAGE CLAMP

terminal blockPressure-blade,

screw-type terminal block

Screw-type terminal block

with wire protection

Screw-type terminal block

without wire protection

Three conductor block

One-piece jumper


8/16

What are the material specifcationsor WAGO terminal blocks?

9

Insulation material:For over 30 years, Nylon 6.6 has been thepreerred insulation material or the housing ocurrent carrying parts and accessories o termi-nal blocks and connectors. It has been approvedby almost all international test houses. Nylon 6.6is well known or its elasticity, rigidity and resis-tance to uels, most oils and ats, detergents, etc.It is a very durable material and is rated 94V-2or 94V-0 (UL fammability rating) depending onparts selected.

Contact materials:Pure electrolytic copper, hard and extra-hard, isthe standard material used by WAGO or cur-rent carrying part. This material combines excel-lent conductivity and good chemical resistance

without risk o stress cracking.

Contact surface:This tin/lead surace (Sn60 PB40) is the stan-dard contact surace o current carrying parts.This guarantees excellent long-term protectionagainst corrosion.

CAGE CLAMP spring:All WAGO CAGE CLAMP springs are pro-duced rom high quality careully selectedausthenitic chrome nickel spring steel (CrNi) with

high tensile strength and excellent corrosionresistance.

Further material inormation can be ound in thehe WAGO ull line catalog.

How do the retention orces or

CAGE CLAMP

compare toagency requirements?

10

Most agencies have minimum retention orce requirements or both screw-type and screwless terminal blocks. As shown, the measured pullout valuesor CAGE CLAMP meet and in most cases ar exceed these values.

Wire Size UL 486ETable 14.1

VDE 0611Part 1

Retention orces meaures on CAGECLAMP terminal blocks

AWG Screw-Type orScrewless TerminalBlock

Screw-Type TerminalBlock

Screwless TerminalBlocks

Type o Wire

Solid Standed

201816141210864

2

6.756.759.011.513.518.020.521.030.0

42.0

4.54.56.756.7511.513.518.020.5

3.44.59.011.511.513.518.020.523.0

27.0

> 6.75> 7.9> 13.5> 20.5> 31.5> 38.5> 69.0

> 6.75> 6.75> 9.0> 13.5> 20.5> 23.0> 41.0> 50.0> 64.0

> 80.5

Retentions Forces (LBS)


9/16

What is the best way to determine theconnection quality o a terminal block?

11

There are two common test methods used inlaboratory testing: the voltage drop test and thetemperature rise test.

The voltage drop test is useul in determining theresistance o a through connection. It refects thequality o the clamping point initially, when thewires are rst connected, and also while underconditions o vibration, temperature cycling andcorrosion.

The temperature rise test is also a refection o

the connections resistance. It allows the com-

plete terminal block to be checked at nominalcurrent, high current and short circuit conditions.The CAGE CLAMP ar exceeds the nationaland agency requirements relating to voltagedrop and temperature rise.

What eect does long-term temperaturecycling have on the CAGE CLAMPconnection?

12

The voltage drop o a connection can changesignicantly over time, especially when changesin temperature exist. The heating and coolingexpand and contract the contact parts, vary-ing the contact pressure and deorming thewire. I this is not compensated or (i.e.: screwstightened) the contact will have a progressivelyhigher voltage drop which can eventually im-pede the signal or cause arcing.

CAGE CLAMP automatically adjust or settlingstrands and changes in wire size. As illustratedby the results o this temperature cycling test, thevoltage drop remains virtually constant insur-ing long-term reliability.

Test arrangement o thetemperature rise test

Test arrangement orthe voltage drop test

Temperature cycling test long-term, series 281 (12 AWG, 35 A)The diagram includes fuctuations o the supply voltage

1010

85

20

Testcurrent

applied

No.current

applied

Testcurrent

applied

T (C)


10/16

Why is the CAGE CLAMP connectionresistant to corrosion?

13

The contact materials used in WAGO terminalblocks and connectors are inherently corrosionresistant.

The stainless-steel CAGE CLAMP exerts a highspecic pressure which embeds the conductorsinto the sot tin/lead plating o the current bar.

The resulting connection is gas-tight, not allow-ing corrosive gases to penetrate and degrade it.

Why is CAGE CLAMP unaected byshock and vibration?

14

The CAGE CLAMP itsel has very little mass inrelation to the high orce it produces. The wayin which the CAGE CLAMP is mounted on thecurrent bar insures that a avorable division omasses (o current bar, conductor and CAGE

CLAMP) is obtained. These actors result in aconnection which has high resistance to vibrationand shock, without wire damage or measurablecontact interruption.

WAGO has tested CAGE CLAMP or vibrationup to 2000 Hz with accelerations up to 20 Gs.Independent agencies have tested and passedCAGE CLAMP or shock and vibration up to2000 Hz with accelerations up to 109 Gs in

each o three axes. CAGE CLAMP

also meetsthe vibration test requirements o VDE 0611which incorporates a pull test while vibration ispresent.

The UL waggle test also puts a rotational orceon the wire while a pullout orce is applied.

Shock/vibration test


11/16

What eect does high current or ashort circuit have on CAGE CLAMP?

15

VDE specications limit the temperature rise oterminal blocks to 45o Kelvin under continuousload at nominal current. Ater a current load o1.6 times the nominal current over a period oone hour, WAGO terminal blocks dont showany signs o damage.

The short circuit-test according to IEC 17B speci-es that 120 A per square mm has to be ap-plied or a period o one second.

CAGE CLAMP connections pass this test with-

out damage or impairment o their unction.

The impractical test shown (a used circuit wouldlimit such an occurrence) demonstrates the con-tact capability o CAGE CLAMP. The currentthrough a 12 AWG terminal block is increaseduntil the conductor glows red. The block remainsundamaged.

How does CAGE CLAMP perormwell in dry-circuit or low voltageapplications?

16

As long as the suraces are clean and ree ooxides at the time o wire insertion (low voltagesignals cant punch through oxidation), the gastight nature o CAGE CLAMP will maintain theconnection quality.

The CAGE CLAMP system has also been usedwith excellent results or thermocouple connec-tions.

Why is CAGE CLAMPmaintenance-ree?17

Unlike most screw-type terminal blocks, CAGECLAMP connections do not require checking orretightening the loose connections resulting romvibration, temperature cycling, settling strands,etc.

The built-in reliability o CAGE CLAMP canreduce downtime and service calls or the cus-tomer. Most service departments estimate that35-50% o all service calls are the result o poorconnections. Considering the high cost o servicecalls and the loss o production time, the savingscan be signicant.


12/16

Besides rail-mounted terminal blocks,what other applications does CAGE

CLAMP

have?

18

WAGO oers a complete line o CAGECLAMP products. From chassis mount terminalstrips to an extensive range o printed circuitboard blocks with pin spacings as small as onetenth inch. Standard or custom componentplugs, relay sockets and interace modules arealso available.

What worldwide recognition doesCAGE CLAMP have?

19

Besides the well known agencies o UL and CSA, WAGO products have passedthe extensive tests o various agencies throughout the world. This is especiallyimportant to export manuacturers.

AbdefUgh@ 2ijkmnopqrsu

vxyvxH


13/16

In addition to CAGE CLAMP, whatother major design eatures do WAGO

products oer?

20

The rail-mounted terminal blocks have a ully touch-proo construction and accommodate one-pieceinsulated jumpers.

The ront-entry series allow both the screwdriver andwire to enter rom the top (ront) o the block, savingspace and simpliying wiring considerably.

The ground block makes an automatic connection tothe rail when it is mounted. No center tap screw arerequired.

The sensor block line allows multiple-wire sensorsor components (i.e.: photoelectric, relyas, etc.) to beconnected to their own dedicated, multi-level terminablock, allowing high density and easy troubleshoot-ing.

Touch-proo component plugs contain a variety oelectronic congurations and plug into ront-entryrail mounted blocks. This reduces space, labor anddowntime.

Custom marking is economical using WAGOs mark-ing computer. ProServe sotware and hardwaresolutions with the TP-343 Printer.


14/16

Examples o products with CAGE CLAMP tec

Modular terminal blocks/

terminal strips

X-COM-SYSTEM

TOPJOBSModular terminal blocks


15/16

ogy

Patchboard systems

WINSTA

Plug-in connector system


16/16

GermanyWAGO KontakttechnikMindenTel. ++0571/887-443Fax ++0571/887-541

AustriaWAGO KontakttechnikGmbH ViennaTel. ++43/1/615 07 80Fax ++43/1/615 07 75

BelgiumWAGO KontakttechnikZaventemTel. ++32/2/7 17 90 90Fax ++32/2/7 17 90 99

ChinaWAGO ELECTRONIC Co. Ltd.TianjinTel.++86/22/82125854/64/74Fax ++86/22/82125984

EnglandWAGO, Ltd.RugbyTel. ++44/1788/568008

Fax ++44/1788/568050

FranceWAGO CONTACT SA.ParisTel. ++33/148172590Fax ++33/148632520

ItalyWAGO ELETTRONICA SRLSan Lazzaro di Savena (BO)Tel. ++39/051/625-91-25Fax ++39/051/625-91-27

JapanWAGO Co. o JAPAN Ltd.TokyoTel. ++81/3/3254/8881

Fax ++81/3/3254/8885

PolandWAGO ELWAG sp. z o. o.WroclawTel. ++48/71/33-66-626Fax ++48/71/33-60-952

SingaporeWAGO Electronic Pte. Ltd.SingapurTel. ++65/2866776Fax ++65/2842425

SwitzerlandWAGO CONTACT SADomdidierTel. ++65/2866776

Fax ++65/2842425

MexicoWAGO CorporationTel. 001-800-309-5975

+ 52 442-221-5946+ 52 442-221-5063

CanadaWAGO CorporationTel. 800 / DIN Rail (346-7245)Fax 262 / 255-3232

WAGO Service Worldwide

WAGO CorporationN120 W19129 Freistadt RoadGermantown, Wisconsin 53022Telephone: 800 / DIN Rail (346-7245)Fax: 262 / [email protected]

Documents

Cage Clamp TB