GUIDE EL01
HOW TO: Use Electrical Snap Connectors
 Electrical Snap Connectors are a quick, easy and convenient way of connecting two wires without the need for stripping the insulation or soldering, and importantly to the towbar fitter, allows a wire to be spliced into an existing circuit without cutting the vehicle's wiring in order to make the connection. Their simplicity makes them ideal for the DIY user who may not be an expert in making electrical connections. When the wires to be connected are placed in the snap connector and the metal connecting strip closed, the insulation is automatically cut at the point of connection leaving the wire intact. The insulating flap is then closed, making a sound, insulated electrical connection in seconds.
There are different sized snap connectors, coded by their colour, for different size and current rating of wires. The connectors most commonly used in towing and other automotive applications are (maximum) 10 Amp (Red), 20 Amp (Blue) and 35 Amp (Yellow). The blue connector is the most commonly seen as until recently most wires to functions likely to be connected to by the towbar fitter or DIY accessory installer were between 8-15 Amp.
 On modern vehicles using electronic signal wires, wires are a much narrower gauge and the 10 Amp red connector is increasingly common. The larger yellow connectors are more commonly used for connecting to heavier wires such as power supplies to split charge relays on the grey S-Type towbar socket.
It is important to use the correct size connector for the wires to be joined. A connector too small will not only cut through the insulation, but also through the inner strands of wire, making the wire weaker and lowering the current rating at that point. The connector may also be inadequately insulated. A connector too large may only just grab the insulation and not strip the wire, leading to either no connection or an intermittent connection.
 The most common use of a snap connector is to join a wire onto an existing complete circuit. The snap connector has two wire channels. The outer channel is open the length of the connector, allowing it to be clipped over the wire to be connected to. The inner channel you will notice is insulated at one end with a “stopâ€. The new wire to be introduced is fed into the open end of the inner channel.
Make sure the newly connected wire is butted up to the "stop" in the channel. If the wire is not inserted fully, the metal connecting strip may "miss" the wire or only nip the end, leading to a failed connection. Hold the wires steady in their channels and squeeze the connecting strip into place with pliers.
Fold the plastic insulator over the top of the connecting strip and clip it closed
The resulting connection is tidy and insulated. The insulating cover serves both to insulate the connection and to keep the connection locked together.
 When connecting two "open" wires together with a snap connector, the two wires to be joined should be fed into the connector side by side. Make sure no wire is protruding from the outer channel as there is no insulating stopper. It is a good idea to tape over the end of the connection once made. inserting the wires this way means that the connection is not likely to be broken if the wires are put under tension.
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