ETE MODULE SPECIFICATIONS
BUS CONNECTORS
The Module bus connectors used on the SF Bay Area Modules are manufactured by WAGO. http://www.wago.com
The connectors are part of the WAGO MULTI CONNECTION SYSTEM (MCS) line
and are known as the MIDI size.
These are the bus connectors used to connect the 12 wire module bus between modules. The left connector is the female connector, the right connector is the male connector. The picture above shows the basic connectors with separately applied strain relief tabs for attaching the bus wire. Also note that the connectors have separately applied label strips which help identify the 1-12 positions. Pay special attention to the orientation of these labels in order for insure the bus wires are not crossed.
Here's what the connectors look like in the actual modules. This picture shows the basic connectors with the tab type strain relief. Note that pin 1 is on the top, the right connector here is the female. The wire bus can be attached to the strain relief tab with cable ties as shown on the right side. These strain relief tabs are actually attached with epoxy onto the connectors and have proven not to be very reliable, over time they tend to break off (it also appears they are now discontinued as there is no part number available on the wago site) . We currently recommend that for strain relief you use the clamshell style housings shown below, instead of the strain relief tabs shown here.
The wire bus should be prepared prior to insertion into the connectors. The wire ends should be tinned, and insulated ferrules used to prevent adjacent wires from shorting each other. The picture above shows "black" ferrules used on each of the wires. The connectors have a "cage" style clamp for each wire. This clamp is opened by inserting the special tool listed below which allows insertion of the wire into the clamp socket. Alternatively, you can use a small screwdriver to open the clamps, but we don't recommend it applies uneven pressure to the clamps which can result in a damaged connector or a poor contact. The tool shown below is plastic and very cheap, use it.
The optional clam shell housings shown on this picture are now recommended for better strain relief. These housings replace the tabs in the above pictures and once installed they provide a more reliable connector. The wire bus is actually clamped onto the clamshell housing preventing the wires from becoming loose or shorting across. Note that this might require that the pass through holes on the module ends be enlarged a bit to be able to fit the housings through the holes.
Below are all of the part numbers associated with the different components of
these connectors. Note that you must order the exact part numbers listed
below, including the / subpart whenever listed. There are many other
similar part numbers available but they are for slightly different connectors,
which we don't recommend.
THE BASIC CONNECTORS
| ITEM | PART # | DESCRIPTION |
 |
231-642 | MALE CONNECTOR; 12 POLE; PIN SPACING 5.08 MM / 0.2 IN; CAGE CLAMP CONNECTION. NOTE PICTURE SHOWS ONLY 6 POLES BUT THE CONNECTOR IS ACTUALLY 12 POLES. |
 |
231-312/026-000 | FEMALE CONNECTOR; 12 POLE; PIN SPACING 5.08 MM / 0.2 IN; WITH CODING FINGERS; WITH INTEGRATED FIXING FLANGES; CAGE CLAMP CONNECTION. NOTE PICTURE SHOWS ONLY 6 POLES BUT THE CONNECTOR IS ACTUALLY 12 POLES. |
STRAIN RELIEF HOUSING OPTION
| ITEM |
PART # |
DESCRIPTION |
 |
232-642 |
SNAP-ON TYPE STRAIN RELIEF HOUSINGS; CONSISTING OF: STRAIN RELIEF SUPPORT/ HOUSING; 12 POLE; SUITABLE FOR PIN SPACING 5.08 MM / 0.2 IN |
 |
209-174 |
CABLE CLAMP; FOR STRAIN RELIEF, NEED 1 PER HOSING |
 |
209-173 |
FIXING SCREW; FOR CABLE STRAP, NEED 2 PER HOUSING |
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
| ITEM |
PART # |
DESCRIPTION |
|
|
||
 |
249-155/210-220 |
PIN LABELS. SELF-ADHESIVE MARKER STRIPS; SUITABLE FOR HEADERS AND FEMALE CONNECTORS, MSS WITH PIN SPACING 5.08 MM; 1-12 / 1-10 (20x); COMPUTER MARKED; 20 SELF-ADHESIVE STRIPS PER CARD; HEIGHT OF MARKER STRIP 2.3 MM. |
 |
231-131 |
INSTALLATION TOOL. USED TO OPEN THE CAGE CLAMPS TO ALLOW INSERTING THE WIRES WITHOUT DAMAGING THE CONNECTOR. PUSH BUTTON; FOR FEMALE CONNECTORS AND MALE CONNECTORS. ONLY 1 NEEDED |
All of these parts can be obtained from a local Wago distributor. Consult the Wago website or contact the manufacturer to locate a local distributor in your area. It is best to purchase the parts locally so you can visually inspect them to make sure they are the correct parts shown above.
The SF Bay Area Module group purchases these parts from this local distributor:
CONNEX
4590 Enterprise St
Fremont CA 94538
(510) 656-9211