These connectors are the type that you might find inside a light fitting where they are not exposed to direct touch.
They are two pole connectors with a stainless steel spring-strip inside that can lock or release wires when the strip is pressed down by a button.
The ebay listing is http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201132985009 and they cost either 99p for 1 or just 30p more for 20, which kinda makes it silly to buy less than 20.

11 thoughts on “Cheap chinese spring loaded connectors.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars KI B says:

    the proof of this pudding is in the temperature at 10-16 amp, and what you have to do wrong to reach 400C

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars floobertuber says:

    I dig these, as they are super inexpensive and easy to use. They're great for a quick-and-dirty hookup of a low-amperage, low-voltage and temporary DC circuit.

    But they are not especially robust, and make relatively poor contact. I'd certainly never use them for anything permanent, and/or not closely monitored. And for God's sake keep these things away from mains power!!

    I've never ripped one apart, though… so thanks for the in-depth look at their innards, Clive!

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bob fourjs says:

    These are brilliant, had some of them for a while, they had slightly longer insulation though and you could remove the wires again by just pushing down the lever at the top. Very handy to have a strip of them in the tool box for testing and leaving disconnected live wires, pop them in and they are safe. When I saw these in an electrical wholesaler I got a strip of them, they were all in one strip 12 way if I remember. I had to leave them in an unfinished panel, I was only there to connect a few things up to get them running, someone else went there to do the rest, but I never got the strip of connectors back. Thought I could just buy another strip, but no. No one knew what I was talking about and I had long disposed of the packet they came in.
    Very useful for temporary connections or even testing, at least the connections were not in the panel live, they were in the connectors.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars pernel48 says:

    That a very clear explanation. Thanks very much for taking the time to explain how this works.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jimbob says:

    why even bother when the Wago's so cheap

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Linus T says:

    we call those connectors for (sugar lump) in sweden.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Curt Rowlett says:

    Very informative, thank you!

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chaz Madge says:

    speaker wires?

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John Smith says:

    They have a dangerous resistance. At two amps they get so hot that the plastic melts. Really. It melts.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars kerbside motors says:

    Wago connectors from screw fix, reusable with latches
    Or one use type may be better

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bob_Burton says:

    I just looked at these on Ebay
    99p for 1
    £1.29 for 20
    £1.69 for 10

    Bizarre pricing model.

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