Branch Connector
Connector intended to create one or more electrical branches from a main conductor.
A branch connector creates an electrical connection between a main/run conductor and one or more tap conductors without necessarily cutting or separately terminating every circuit in a device.
The construction may use a spring clamp, screw clamp, insulation-piercing contact, mechanical clamping system or a combination of these technologies. In some products the main conductor remains continuous.
The permitted cross-section and conductor-material ranges for the main and branch conductors may differ and therefore have to be checked separately. For Al/Cu combinations, material compatibility and oxide-inhibiting compound may also be relevant.
Selection should consider number of branches, conductor sizes and materials, rated current, contact technology, required tightening torque or clamping force and environmental conditions.
Branch and tap connectors for wiring installations and conductor distribution.
Branch Connector
General3
Commercial or technical designation of a manufacturer's product family sharing a common design and compatible characteristics.
Range of tasks and systems for which the manufacturer recommends the component.
Primary function of the device and its intended use as defined by its design and the manufacturer's documentation.
Dimensions5
External horizontal dimension of the product between its outermost lateral points.
External vertical dimension of the product from its lowest to its highest point.
External distance between the foremost and rearmost surfaces of the product.
External linear dimension of the product along its longitudinal direction or principal length axis.
Mass of the product itself, excluding transport packaging, additional accessories, and external equipment.
Capacity and Layout5
Total number of electrical connection points provided by the product.
Number of electrically independent potentials provided by the product design.
Centre-to-centre pitch between adjacent repeated electrical connection points or contacts.
Number of electrical connection points intended for incoming or supply-side connections.
Number of electrical connection points intended for outgoing or load-side connections.
Materials and Finish7
Primary visually perceived colour of the product's external surface.
Primary structural or insulating material of the charging connector or socket housing.
Primary electrical insulation material applied to or integrated with the conductive part of the product.
Primary material of the internal current-carrying part, bridge, busbar, or other conductive element of the product.
Metallic plating of the principal current-carrying part, different from its base material.
Indicates whether the product material is classified as halogen-free according to the characteristics declared by the manufacturer.
Indicates whether the absence of silicone has been declared for materials or process substances associated with the product.
Mounting and Installation1
Installation arrangement permitted by the product design, such as wall-mounted, flush-mounted, floor-mounted, or another specified mounting type.
Electrical Parameters17
Voltage value assigned to the product by the manufacturer for specified application conditions and characteristics.
Current assigned to the product by the manufacturer for the declared operating and thermal conditions.
Voltage with reference to which the product's insulation clearances and dielectric properties are specified.
Peak value of an impulse voltage of specified waveform that the product insulation must withstand without breakdown.
Conductor materials for which the specified terminals and connection methods are designed.
Conductor construction classes permitted by the product's electrical connection system.
Conductor connection methods supported by the specified terminals or connection elements.
Declared electrical contact resistance of a connection point where one common value applies to equivalent connections.
Minimum manufacturer-declared clearance through air between conductive parts at different electrical potentials.
Minimum manufacturer-declared creepage distance along an insulating surface between conductive parts at different electrical potentials.
Maximum manufacturer-declared permissible temperature of the conductive part of the product in service.
Minimum supported cross-section of the main or run conductor in a branch or tap connection.
Maximum supported cross-section of the main or run conductor in a branch or tap connection.
Minimum supported cross-section of the tap or branch conductor.
Maximum supported cross-section of the tap or branch conductor.
Conductor materials permitted for the main or run conductor of a branch or tap connector.
Conductor materials permitted for the tap or branch conductor.
Protection and Safety7
Degree of enclosure protection against access to hazardous parts and ingress of solid objects and water, designated by the IP code.
Indicates whether the design prevents finger access to hazardous live parts in the intended condition.
Indicates whether the design provides protection against accidental contact with hazardous live parts.
Classification of a material according to its ability to ignite, sustain combustion, and cease burning under a specified test.
Temperature of the heated wire used when testing the material or product against an ignition source.
Indicates whether the material ceases self-sustained burning after the ignition source is removed under specified conditions.
Primary compound or filling technology used to seal the electrical connection against moisture or contaminants.
Environmental Conditions5
Minimum ambient temperature at which normal operation of the product is permitted.
Maximum ambient temperature at which normal operation of the product is permitted.
Minimum ambient temperature permitted during storage of the product while not in operation.
Maximum ambient temperature permitted during storage of the product while not in operation.
Maximum relative air humidity permitted for the declared operating or test condition.
Special Features3
Indicates that scheduled preventive maintenance is not required during normal manufacturer-declared service life.
Indicates that the electrical connection can be intentionally opened and remade without replacing the connector, under the manufacturer-declared conditions.
Indicates whether conductor insulation must be removed before the conductor is inserted or terminated in the connector.
Standards and Compliance9
Indicates declared compliance of the product with the applicable general requirements of IEC 60998-1 for connecting devices for low-voltage circuits for household and similar purposes.
Indicates declared compliance of the product with the applicable IEC 60999-1 requirements for screw-type and screwless clamping units for the relevant copper conductor sizes.
Indicates declared compliance of the product with the applicable IEC 60999-2 requirements for clamping units for conductors of the relevant larger cross-sections.
Indicates whether the CE marking is applied to the product where applicable.
Indicates whether the product has a declared UL Listed certification or recognition status.
Indicates whether the product has a declared CSA certification or recognition status.
Indicates whether product compliance with applicable RoHS restrictions on hazardous substances has been declared.
Indicates whether the manufacturer declares compliance of the product with applicable REACH Regulation requirements.
Manufacturer-declared compliance with UL 486C requirements for splicing wire connectors where applicable.