Need Help with Banana Plugs!

[replytoken]

I just switched amps and my new one (Rega Mira) has binding posts that are just way too small for a bare wire connection (I am bi-wiring the speakers). So, I purchased some banana plugs like the ones shown here: http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/s...n-ram.html#603 . I know that I remove the collar, and I am assuming that I thread the speaker wire from the back end (not from the cut-away on the side). Do I first remove the small plastic tube that is inside the plug? Is this inserted for protection of the plug's coating during shipping, or is it actually used in conjunction with the wire's insertion? Also, the cut-away window along the barrel between the two screws that hold the wire in the plug; what is this for? Lastly, when I screw the collar back on, should it be screwed to push the cross pin up, causing the head of the pin to expand? Forgive me if these seem like stupid questions, but I am not normally a DIY'er and I searched here and on the web for better clarification, but could not find any useful advice for this type of pin. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[ooheadsoo]

Not sure how the plug you posted works, the pictures are a bit unclear. I've never used a locking banana, but I'll give it a shot anyway. Typically, if you use stranded wire, you feed the bare wire into the inner sleeve and there's usually an outlet where you can fan out the wire to lay if flat and screw the sleeve back on. If the banana is expanding, I suspect that is part of the locking mechanism and therefore shouldn't be expanding before you plug it into the jack. If all else fails, solder the wire onto the jack.

 

[replytoken]

Thanks for the advice. I do not believe that this type of plug uses the fanning method. There are two screws that appear to hold the wire inside the plug. The collar appears to cover the screws and then spread the plugs. Then again, I could be wrong.