If you look at the 2 bottom pictures you can get an idea of what I’m talking about. The T-tap accomplishes the same thing as the inline splice but it only cuts it’s way into one wire, the second wire that is “tapping” into it plugs in via a common spade style connector. The other style commonly used in automotive and motorcycle applications is the T-tap (see pics to right). The little plastic strap folds over and clips in place to hold the metal bit in place. When the metal portion is pressed down with a pair of pliers it cuts like a small guillotine into both wires and establishes a connection across the 2 wires in the process. Inline wire taps (like the top picture) work by placing the connector around an existing wire and then feeding the clean cut end of another wire into it. In some cases these connectors can be useful and save a lot of time, but the types and sizes that are typically used for automotive and motorcycle applications (typically 18-22 gauge) can cause a number of problems up to and including complete failure of the splice. The different colors indicate the size (gauge) of the wire they are designed to work on. These connectors are commonly referred to as “vampire connectors” because they “bite” into another wire to “suck” power. 3M™ makes a lot of these under the Scotchlok™ name in all sorts of sizes and for all types of uses (see pics to the right).
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