PROBLEM: Weather, time and equipment availability can interfere with proper connection or reconnection of track wires, bonds, hardwire shunts, etc. Other times, maintenance operations such as replacement of insulated joint plugs and repair of broken rail require quick, semi permanent electrical connections. Through all of these variables, railroad operations must be kept as free-flowing as possible.
SOLUTION: S&C Distribution Company offers Temporary Track Wire Connectors in single and quad wire configurations, and Connector Blocks in two configurations that will address any of the above conditions. These products together allow quick, reliable, semi-permanent to permanent track wireconnections.
| ORDERING REFERENCES | PART NUMBER |
| Temporary Track Wire Connector, w/T-Screw | 340-120 |
| Temporary Track Wire Connector w/Sq. Hd. Set Screw | 340-121 |
| Temp Track Wire Connector Kit (T-Screw) (incl. 2 ea Connectors, one Thin Wrench, one Hex Key, one Carry Bag) | 340-120K |
| Temp Track Wire Connector Kit (Sq. Hd. Set Screw)(incl. 2 ea. Connectors, one Th Wrench, one T-Wrench, one Hex Key, one Carry Bag) | 340-121K |
Connector Blocks expand the Connector track wire capacity from a single wire to up to seven wires. They offer the same features and are built to the same exacting standards as are our Track Connector and Shunt Clamps. Two sizes are offered: 5-hole and 7-hole. Frequently, users equip these Connector Blocks with pigtails to expedite track wire connection in the field. These parts come with a 12 inch interconnect pigtail to attach the Connector Block to the Temporary Track Wire Connector. They are also furnished with two 1/4 inch holes in opposite top corners, for possible use as temporary mounting points.
| ORDERING REFERENCES | PART NUMBER |
| 5 Wire Connector Block w/Pigtail | 340-125 |
| 7 Wire Connector Block w/Pigtail | 340-127 |
TOOLS – Tools required are often at hand. The lock nuts at the wire connection points of the assemblies can be worked with a signal terminal wrench. A 1/4 in. Long Arm Hex Key and a 3/4in. Thin Head Wrench are available for those who need them for the other locking features. For the square head set screw, when used, we suggest a common crescent wrench is appropriate. A rugged canvas, zippered Carry Bag is also available for keeping all Track Wire Connector materials together.
| ORDERING REFERENCES | PART NUMBER |
| 3/4 in. Thin Head Wrench | 340-120-18 |
| 1/4 in. Long Arm Hex Key | 340-120-19 |
| T-Wrench for Sq. Hd. Screw for 340-121 | 340-120-20 |
| Standard Carry Bag (5 in. x 7 in. x 12 in.) for Connector Materials | 506ZB |
| Larger Carry Bag (6 in. x 9 in. x 19 in.) for Connector Materials | 506BZB |
SPECIAL ASSEMBLIES – For unique applications, we offer four assemblies where two 340-120 Temporary Track Wire Connectors are paired with a length of wire to form hyper-reliable Joint By-Pass Bonds; (4-hole, 36in. & 6-hole, 50 in.); Zero Ohm, Hardwire Shunt (6 ft); and a 20 foot Track Jumper. Part Numbers are provided in the Ordering Reference section below.
| ORDERING REFERENCES | PART NUMBER |
| 4-Hole Bar By-Pass Bond, 36 in. wire, with 2 Temp. Track Wire Conns. | 340-126-36 |
| 6-Hole Bar By-Pass Bond, 50 in. wire, with 2 Temp. Track Wire Conns. | 340-126-50 |
| Temporary Hard Wire Shunt, 6 ft. wire, with 2 Temp. Track Wire Conns. | 340-126-6F |
| Track Jumper, 20 ft.wire, with 2 Temp. Track Wire Conns. | 340-126-20F |
Intended to expedite the reconnection of damaged track wires, or track wires disconnected during T&S work, in inclement weather or where the urgency to reestablish train operations does not permit normal track wire installation, the S&C Distribution Company, 340-124 Temporary Track Wire Connectors have been designed to be easy to install. Field tests in an extremely rigorous environment suggest that, if properly installed, they will maintain a zero ohm connection to the rail for a considerable length of time. Proper installation is important. Descriptive instructions are furnished with each unit shipped.
Note that the 340-124 Temporary Track Wire Connectors can be used with 70 to 140 pound rail and that the wire receptacles for the Track Wire Connector Clamp have been designed to accommodate up to four wires, in sizes from No. 9 to No. 6 AWG.
To install the Connectors equipped with a T-screw you will need a 3/4 in. open end wrench, a 1/4 in. long arm or T-handle hex key and a railroad signal wrench (for the locknuts on the Connector). If you order the Connector with a square head set screw in place of the T-screw (for installations of longer duration or installations in higher vandalism areas) you will also need a wrench that will accommodate the square- head top of the set screw. Special wrenches designed for this purpose can be purchased from S&C Distribution Company (PN: 340-120-20 and 340-301-18) For reliable electrical connection you will also want access to a small quantity of No-Ox-Id grease or similar material to coat the end of the track wire or pigtail to be inserted into the Connector wire receptacle.
NOTE: One signal maintainer with whom we are acquainted recommends that pigtails be pre-mounted to the Clamp. When it comes time to use the Connector, installation will only require crimping track wires to these pigtails.
| DESCRIPTION | PART NUMBER |
| 340-124 Temporary Track Wire Connector, w/T-Screw | 340-124 |
| 340-124 Temporary Track Wire Connector, w/Sq.Hd. Set Screw | 340-124SH |
340-124 Temporary Track Wire Connector Kit (T-Screw) (Incl. 2 ea. Connectors, one TH Wrench, one Hex Key, one Carry Bag) | 340-124K |
340-124SH Temporary Track Wire Connector ((Sq. Hd. Set Screw) (incl. 2 ea. Connectors, one TH Wrench, one Conn. Wrench, one Hex Key, one Carry Bag) | 340-124SHK |
TOOLS
| DESCRIPTION | PART NUMBER |
| 3/4 in. Thin Head Wrench | 340-120-18 |
| 1/4 in. Long Arm Hex Key | 340-120-22 |
| T-Wrench for Sq. Hd. Screw for 340-124SH | 340-120-20 |
| Standard Carry Bag with tools for 340-124 Connector | 340-124ZB |
| Larger Carry Bag with tools for 340-124 Connector | 340-124BZB |
| Standard Carry Bag with tools for 340-124SH Connector (Sq. Hd.) | 340-124ZBSH |
| Larger Carry Bag with tools for 340-124SH Connector (Sq. Hd.) | 340-124BZBSH |
CARRY BAGS – Note that Carry Bags are offered below as a means to corral the various parts, pieces and tools of a Temporary Track Wire Connector Kit. These are very rugged, military-style canvas bags, with heavy-duty zippers, strap handles and hard bottoms to make the load more manageable. Exterior snap-closure side pockets provide a place to separate and store tools. Two sizes of Bags are offered; Standard, 5 in. x 7 in. x 12 in., and Larger, 6 in. x 9 in. x 19 in. Configurations are also offered that include the appropriate tools for the two types of Connectors. See above Tools Section for Bags with Tools. The larger bag is preferable if you intend to pre-pigtail the Clamps.
ORDERING REFERENCES
| DESCRIPTION | PART NUMBER |
| Standard Carry Bag (5 in. x 7 in. x 12 in.) for Connector materials | 506ZB |
| Larger Carry Bag (6 in. x 9 in. x 19 in.) for Connector materials | 506BZB |
