We all know that possibly the weakest part anything which has been assembled are the joints. The point at which two components are connected is always going to be a weak point in the structure. As DIY enthusiasts we can appreciate this because we have all had experiences of joints coming apart. We glue or screw things together and 9 times out of 10 when they break it will be the joint that breaks.
The same is true in an electrical circuit. Although we can see an electrical connection we can't always determine how well it is performing becasue we can't see the electricity flowing through it. It true that if an electrical circuit is not performing well there are sometimes visible signs such as overheating. Overheating is dangerous and if it is not detected it can cuase fire.
One of the most common methods of making an electrical connection is to use a plastic connector strip. A connector strip is a plastic moulding which typically houses 12 brass terminals. The strips can be cut to length to suit depending on the number of connections to be made.
However, there is a problem with using connector strips and that is how to insulate them afterwards to prevent acces to live parts. Also they not always mechanically secure as often when the cable is under strain the only thing that stops the wires from pulling out is the termnial screw which secures the cable itself. The common method to insulate a connection made using a connector strip is to wrap the connector strip up in insulation tape. This method does not always prevent access to live parts and the resulting joint looks untidy.
There is a product available now which solves this problem. It is a simple device called a chocbox. A chocbox is a housing in which you can place a connector strip to prevent access to live parts. A chocbox has a screw down lid for additional security. The key to the success of the chocbox is that you need a tool i.e. a screwdriver to be able to access the connector strip and access the live parts. The added benefit of using a chocbox is that there are two cable restraints which can be used to secure the cable and help prevent the cable being pulled out of the connector strip.
The chocbox is small and compact and can be used in virtually all applications using a connector strip. Next time you use a connector strip to make an electrical connection consider using a chocbox.
