Learn More About Posi-Locks, Connectors, & Taps

Easy Wire Splicing: ​What Are Posi Locks & How Do They Work?

The easy wire connectors we sell on this site are innovative because they are electrical connectors require no crimping or tools. Connectors simply hand tighten. If you have ever worked on a motorcycle or car project around the electrical system and tight spaces you will understand just how much of a boon that is. Before Posi-Locks electrical connectors, wire connectors, butt connectors and crimp connectors were all basically crimp connectors that essentially screwed down wires to connect them. Unlike crimp type wire connectors, butt connectors and electrical connectors, Posi-Lock electrical connector products do not require tools to connect wires and can all be done by hand by essentially anybody. The other benefit of Posi-Lock connectors is that they are reusable, they  do not vibrate loose and they have superior electrical specifications. They are the easiest and best electrical connectors you will ever use.

There are several types of products in the Posi-Lock range, each solving a specific problem. If you are looking for an inline electrical connector then the original Posi-Lock products are great. For cutting into hot leads then a Posi-Tap is the right component. Posi-Twists are great if you are looking to connect several wires together or multiple gauge wires. To learn more about these products, please read on.

Posi-Lock electrical connectors require no crimping and no tools. They are the original connectors you see on this site and we love them because you simply hand tighten the connector to splice two wires. We’ve been using them for our motorcycle and automotive projects for years.

​Posi-Locks are perfect for most automotive projects like splicing wires for auxiliary lights, horn relays, LED brake lights and much more.

It’s such a simple concept — you unscrew the two threaded ends from the central connector and insert the wires, screw them back on and you’re done! The central barrel-shaped connector has a metal conductor running through it, and when you screw on the ends, the wire is forced against the metal to make the connection. You do have to strip the ends of the wire first to make this work.

Posi-Locks with a 14-16 or 18-24 gauge diameter cover the majority of uses on a motorcycle. ​Note that Posi-Products also makes the Posi-Twist Connector (see below), but we have found normal Posi-Locks work perfectly for for splicing up to 3 wires. Posi-Taps of various sizes can be used to easily tap into power or ground wires when adding lights or other electrical gear.

See Also: Our in depth Posi-Lock Connector Review

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Posi-Tap and Posi-Lock connectors are an absolute must for electrical work on motorcycles! The Posi-Tap product lineup is specifically designed as an in-line connector that makes it so easy to tap into a motorcycle’s “hot wire” in the electrical system.

They’re shock proof, vibration proof, water-sand-dust resistant and reusable. They make any type of motorcycle electrical work so much easier and more professional looking. The Posi-Tap is made of Nylon 66, and the internal conductor material is tin plated brass. The connector is about 37.5mm (1.48″) long, and 13mm (.50″) in diameter.

The lower part of the Posi-Tap works like the normal Posi-Lock or Posi-Twist connectors. Strip the wire or wires and place them in the male threaded tube, like the green, yellow, white and black wires in the photo. Then screw on the center section. To tap into the “hot” wire, lay the wire in the Posi-Tap’s cap, then simply screw the cap on to the center section.
That’s all there is to it — no crimping (which doesn’t work anyway!), no soldering. The “needle” that’s just visible in the photo at left will pierce the hot wire’s sheath to provide power. The Posi-Tap can hold up to four 18-guage, three 16-guage, two 14-guage or one 12-guage wire.

The Posi-Tap can fit just about anywhere on a motorcycle where you need to tap into a hot wire to power lighting, auxiliary switches, heated clothing leads or more.  For more information checkout our in depth Posi-Tap Connector Review and our recommendations for Connecting Multiple Wires.

Shop Posi-Tap Products or check out some of the most popular ones below:

The Posi-Twist product is another one that is perfect for motorcyclists and car enthusiasts.

​Posi-Twist connectors are similar in function to a screw-on wire connector used for electrical connections for home wiring. The real difference between Posi-Twists and other connectors shown on this site are that they have all the other features of the Posi-Lock products and you can mix gauges. Basically, you can use the bigger diameter Posi-Twist connectors to connect several wires together or multiple gauge wires.

To splice multiple wires using a Posi-Twist, twist the wires together, place them in the screw-on connector and attach the connector to the special Posi-Twist solid end. Note that the Posi-Twists are slightly different from the Posi-Lock in-line connectors because the Posi-Twist connectors have only one screw-on end.

The Posi-Lock Mini connectors are perfect for those hard-to-reach tight spaces on motorcycles. Posi-Lock “Mini” connectors have all the features of the originals in a new smaller form factor. If you simply think of them as smaller versions of the “workhorse” Posi-Locks you are all familiar with then you’re on the money.

The mini electrical connectors products are great for trying to connect wires in tight spaces. Posi-Locks were first introduced on webBikeWorld nearly 10 years ago and we have been a big fan every since. They’re perfect for motorcycle use, making it very easy to splice or tap wires without soldering. We have remained in contact with the designer of the original Posi-Lock connectors and we have provided feedback on new products from a motorcyclist’s point of view which is one reason the mini series of products was created. The mini products are “about” half the size of the original and it’s a good fit inside motorcycle wiring harnesses and other tight areas.

Need to put an inline fuse somewhere on your bike? Order a Posi-Lock inline fuse holder with any other Posi-Lock order. This makes an easy job of inserting a fuse! We also carry (limited supply) the Posi-Lock trailer wiring harness connector which can be used to connect several different wires together in one junction or to create a wiring harness. Connect and test wire assemblies and simply pull it apart to disconnect everything.​ Finally,  Panduit makes the highest quality cable ties you can buy and we sell them because we were sick of the cheap plastic imitations and our readers asked us for professional cable ties we would recommend.

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How To Use Posi-Lock Connectors

It’s such a simple concept — you unscrew the two threaded ends from the central connector and insert the wires, screw them back on and you’re done! (See Photo 1, below). The central barrel-shaped connector has a metal conductor running through it, and when you screw on the ends, the wire is forced against the metal to make the connection. You do have to strip the ends of the wire first to make this work. The Posi-Lock Connectors make wire splicing a cinch, and the connection the Posi-Lock makes is really solid.