98W40 - Red Knife Disconnect Terminal 22-16 AWG

Technical Overview of the 22-16 AWG Knife Disconnect Splice

The Splice Knife Disc 22-16 AWG is a specialized electrical termination device designed to facilitate the creation of separable in-line wire connections. Engineered for low-voltage control and power distribution applications, this connector utilizes a unique "knife" blade mechanism that slides into a mating receptacle (or utilizes a self-mating design depending on the specific variation), allowing circuits to be connected or disconnected rapidly without the need for unscrewing terminal blocks or cutting wires. This specific unit is sized for 22 to 16 American Wire Gauge (AWG) conductors, a range typically identified in the electrical industry by Red insulation coding.

Constructed from high-grade, tin-plated copper, the conductive element of the splice ensures minimal contact resistance and superior protection against oxidation and corrosion, which is critical for maintaining signal integrity in control circuits. The barrel of the connector is encased in a durable vinyl insulation sleeve. This insulation not only provides necessary dielectric strength to prevent shorting against adjacent components or chassis grounds but also offers a degree of strain relief to the crimped wire. The entry to the crimp barrel is often flared (funneled) to guide stranded wire bundles into place smoothly, preventing bent-back strands that could compromise the electrical connection.

Installation is achieved via standard compression crimping. The user strips the wire insulation to the appropriate length, inserts the conductor into the terminal barrel, and applies force using a calibrated crimping tool. The resulting cold-weld connection provides high mechanical pull-out strength. These knife disconnects are rated for standard industrial voltages (typically up to 600V) and are suitable for use in automotive harnesses, industrial machinery control panels, and appliance wiring where modularity and ease of maintenance are design requirements.