Using 66 block with stranded alarm wire

[Don Hoffman]

My alarm panel uses 22ga stranded alarm wire (the type with two insulated
conductors loosely twisted together and no outer jacket). I would like to
clean up the wiring a bit and have a place to splice in my Stargate, and was
thinking of using a 66 block. I did a few test punch downs and they seem to
work, but I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge or experience on the
long-term reliability of such connections for that type of wire (e.g., false
alarms after a few years).

Thanks,
Don Hoffman

[Dave Thayer]

In article <hoffman....@europa.com>,

Back when I had a pager attached to me, I repared into many an
intermittent 66 block-stranded wire connections. OTOH, I've also seen
techs using anything from pliers to screwdrivers instead of proper
punch tools.

Myself, I'd play it safe and use screw type barrier strips.

your pal dave
--
Dave Thayer
Denver, Colorado USA
dth...@netcom.com

[L. M. Rappaport]

Don,

I agree with Dave - don't do it, use screw type barrier blocks with
crimp connectors. Much more reliable.

Larry
--
ra...@lmr.com

[Kirby Powell]

Nick Lawrence wrote:

>
> Don Hoffman wrote:
> > My alarm panel uses 22ga stranded alarm wire (the type with two insulated
> > conductors loosely twisted together and no outer jacket). I would like to
> > clean up the wiring a bit and have a place to splice in my Stargate, and was
> > thinking of using a 66 block. I did a few test punch downs and they seem to
> > work, but I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge or experience on the
> > long-term reliability of such connections for that type of wire (e.g., false
> > alarms after a few years).
>

> 66 punch blocks, widely used in telco applications, are designed to
> accomodate ~24 ga. solid wire, not stranded wire. I suggest against
> stranded wire w 66 blocks. How about screw terminal blocks instead?
> Nick

I agree with the concern about stranded wire. I have used a 66 block in
my home
for security connections with SOLID wire & that works fine - it is VERY
convenient. You might consider tinning the stranded wires and then
punching
them down to solve the problem.

[Kirby Powell]

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[Barton F. Bruce]

In article <hoffman....@europa.com>, hof...@eng.sun.com (Don Hoffman) writes:
> My alarm panel uses 22ga stranded alarm wire (the type with two insulated
> conductors loosely twisted together and no outer jacket). I would like to
> clean up the wiring a bit and have a place to splice in my Stargate, and was
> thinking of using a 66 block. I did a few test punch downs and they seem to
> work, but I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge or experience on the
> long-term reliability of such connections for that type of wire (e.g., false
> alarms after a few years).

66 blocks are totally unreliable with stranded.

The expensive Krone ones NYNEX has switched to are rated for stranded, but
I assume it has to be the right guage and stranding and twist and
insulation thickness, etc.

I think at least one of the the other proprietary blocks also takes
stranded (BIC or 110, or ??) but check VERY carefully.

A very good reason to avoid stranded!

If I *HAD* to terminate some stranded wire on 66, I would feel reasonably
comfortable stripping it, twisting strands pretty tight, and tinning them.

Not that that saves any time, but for a few it does get them terminated
into the 66 block.

If you have the CHAMP butterfly tool (for 25 pair connectors), AMP does
make special connectors for smaller guage stranded (e.g. modular cords)
that are available. I hardly think this is what you need to be trying,
though.