Push-X technology

Push-X technology enables direct conductor connection of flexible and rigid conductors with or without ferrules.
Push-X technology
XTV6 terminal block with Push-X technology

Push-X connection technology demonstrated by the XTV terminal blocks

Push-X – the new X-perience of wiring An innovation created by Phoenix Contact

A new concept in tool-free conductor connection: Push-X can accommodate all types of conductors with direct wiring tool-free and without significant force. A pretensioned contact spring lies at the heart of this new technology. This principle enables the connection of rigid and flexible conductors with or without ferrules. Even the smallest flexible conductors trigger the connection. Contact the conductor effortlessly by lightly tapping the release surface at the end of the clamping chamber. The mechanism is released by tapping and the conductor is contacted quickly and permanently. As with Push-in technology, connected conductors can be released by pressing the orange push button. At the same time the conductor is released, the contact spring is preloaded for a new wiring operation.

Advantages of Push-X technology

  • Highly convenient operation with the effortless and tool-free direct-connection technology and reduced installation times with the factory-opened clamping space
  • Fast installation of all conductor types with and without ferrules – probably the fastest connection technology for flexible conductors
  • Clear identification of the conductor connection with the force-guided actuating element and the acoustic click sound when the spring is released
  • Quick and easy conductor release as well as pretensioning of the contact spring, enabled by the force-guided actuating element
  • Optimized for manual and automated wiring

Push-X Technology

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The Push-X technology impresses with its effortless and time-saving wiring. It also offers very high level of reliability. See for yourself the benefits of the connection chamber opened at the factory and test our products at your site.
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Terminal blocks with Push-X technology


Next level for all everyday heroes New to the portfolio: Function terminals with Push-X technology

Person holding the XT 2,5 terminal blocks in their hand

XT series terminal blocks

The XT terminal blocks are the first terminal blocks with a front Push-X connection. The front conductor connection enables easy and clearly arranged wiring for users. The XT terminal blocks are initially available with a nominal cross-section of 2.5 mm². The portfolio consists of feed-through, multi-conductor, and multi-level terminal blocks, plus knife-disconnect terminal blocks and basic disconnect terminal blocks. Because the terminal blocks are part of the CLIPLINE complete terminal block system, the basic disconnect terminal blocks can be assembled with various function plugs such as fuses, components, and disconnect knives.

XTV series terminal blocks

The XTV terminal blocks are available in nominal cross-sections of 6, 10, and 16 mm², enabling conductor cross-sections between 1.5 and 25 mm² to be wired with ease. Given the large conductor cross-sections, a lateral connection was selected for the XTV terminal blocks (V = vertical). This has to do with the bending radii that occur during the wiring process. The larger conductor cross-sections, such as 16 mm² conductors, are more difficult to bend, so lateral connection makes wiring easier. In addition, the XTV modular terminal blocks complement the portfolio of lateral spring-connection terminal blocks. This enables Phoenix Contact to provide continuous lateral spring connections for conductor cross-sections between 0.14 mm² (PTV) and 185 mm² (PTPOWER).

Function terminals with Push-X technology

The Push-X function terminal blocks can be wired almost effortlessly due to the innovative Push-X technology. The function terminal blocks include transformer terminal blocks as well as disconnect and knife disconnect terminal blocks. In addition to the general advantages of the Push-X connection, the large number of function shafts means that the transformer terminal blocks enable individual and space-saving adaptation for all measurement and protection applications. In addition, the terminal blocks enable automatically leading current transformer short circuit (see video). As well as transformer terminal blocks, the product portfolio for function terminal blocks also includes disconnect and knife-disconnect terminal blocks. In addition to disconnecting signals, the basic disconnect terminal blocks also enable the easy implementation of various function plugs such as fuse plugs and component connectors.

The advantages in detail Terminal blocks with Push-X technology

XTV terminal blocks with open and closed connection chamber
XTV terminal blocks with various types of conductors
Conductor connection with an XTV terminal block
Loosening the tensioned conductor and pre-tensioning the connection chamber in a Push-X connection
CLIPLINE complete terminal block system
XTV terminal blocks with open and closed connection chamber

Products with Push-X technology are supplied with the connection chamber pre-opened. In combination with minimal wire preparation as a result of ferrules no longer being necessary, the technology is one of the fastest and most flexible connection technologies on the market. Push-X is probably the fastest connection technology for flexible conductors because it just requires a pair of stripping pliers. You can tell whether the clamping chamber is released or clamped by the push button position. This position serves as a visual checkpoint. When the force-guided push button is level with the terminal block, the clamping chamber is closed.

XTV terminal blocks with various types of conductors

Push-X makes it easy to wire all types of conductors with a quick release. Owing to the little effort needed during conductor entry, rigid as well as flexible conductors can be wired directly and without the need for ferrules. Due to the related time savings in wire preparation, Push-X enables particularly efficient wiring.

Conductor connection with an XTV terminal block

The Push-X technology makes direct and almost effortless conductor connection possible for you. The ingenious structure of the clamping chamber allows the conductor to be inserted without force up to the contact spring locking mechanism. All that is necessary is to actuate the locking mechanism at the end of the contact chamber to clamp the conductor into place with the contact spring. This locking mechanism cleverly bypasses the holding force of the contact spring during conductor insertion. The conductor is clamped effortlessly.

Loosening the tensioned conductor and pre-tensioning the connection chamber in a Push-X connection

With Push-X technology, the contact chamber can be opened and tensioned quickly and easily. By pressing down the orange pusher element the contact spring is released. As soon as the push button reaches its end position, the locking mechanism on the leg spring snaps back into the notch provided on the push button. This process blocks the tripping of the contact spring. The spring is now pre-tensioned for rewiring.

CLIPLINE complete terminal block system

The XTV terminal blocks with integrated Push-X technology are part of the CLIPLINE complete terminal block system. In addition to their compatibility with other terminal blocks in the system, these terminal blocks can also be used with the standardized accessories. Furthermore, the XTV terminals also close the gap in the range of PTV and PTPOWER lateral spring-cage terminals. This addition of the XTV terminal blocks to the range allows the space-saving wiring of all conductor cross-sections between 0.14 mm² and 185 mm².

PCB connectors with Push-X technology


XPC 1,5 PCB connectors

XPC 1,5 PCB connectors

Direct connection technology reinvented – fast, easy, smooth, and compatible: XPC 1,5 PCB connectors with Push-X technology enable tool-free and effortless conductor connection for cross-sections up to 1.5 mm² through direct insertion.

XPC series PCB connectors

With PCB connectors from the XPC series you can easily wire your PCBs with single conductors, whether they are thin or thick, rigid or flexible, with or without ferrules. Tool-free operation and sophisticated Push-X technology reduce installation times to a minimum – click and done.

The locking mechanism of the pretensioned contact spring is triggered by the conductor tapping it and then it clamps the conductor fully automatically. So safe and easy that you can now also implement automated wiring. This means that XPC is an ideal solution wherever components in the control cabinet or in the field need to be connected reliably and with little effort.

Versions for 4 mm² conductors are planned for the XPC series.

The advantages in detail PCB connectors with Push-X technology

Connection principle of the XPC PCB connectors
XPC 1,5 PCB connectors with different types of conductors
Triggering the terminal point of the XPC PCB connector
Releasing a connected conductor on the XPC PCB connector
Plug-in compatibility of the XPC PCB connectors
Connection principle of the XPC PCB connectors

The innovative Push-X technology enables convenient and fast installation. Just like a mousetrap, a contact spring inside the new XPC PCB connector catches the conductor and holds it securely. To do this, the conductor is simply inserted directly into the clamping space. As soon as the conductor effortlessly triggers the release of the contact spring, this connection technology creates a reliable, long-lasting terminal connection.

XPC 1,5 PCB connectors with different types of conductors

The XPC PCB connector reduces installation times to a minimum. With the tool-free Push-X technology, rigid or flexible conductors with or without ferrules are connected directly and securely in a single motion. As soon as the conductor releases the locking mechanism of the pretensioned contact spring inside the innovative clamping space, a reliable, long-lasting terminal connection is created. Automated wiring can also be implemented using this connection technology.

Triggering the terminal point of the XPC PCB connector

Secure connections of consistently reliable quality are created by means of the sophisticated Push-X technology in combination with the contact spring that is pretensioned in the delivery state. This connection technology uses acoustic and visual signals as feedback to indicate whether the contact spring was released successfully. In addition to the audible sound of the contact spring being triggered, the operating state of the connector can also be determined by the high-contrast position of the orange release button. The current status of the connection technology can thus easily be seen.

Releasing a connected conductor on the XPC PCB connector

Having been quickly and directly connected inside the XPC connector, the conductor can be released again just as easily. When the orange release button is pressed, the conductor is released and, at the same time, the contact spring is pretensioned again and locked in the trigger position. The connection technology is ready again and the next connection can be triggered.

Plug-in compatibility of the XPC PCB connectors

The XPC PCB connector is compatible with Phoenix Contact’s extensive COMBICON range with 3.5 mm pitch. The XPC can therefore be combined with existing horizontal and vertical header versions. They are available both for reflow and wave soldering processes. So it is easy to switch between connectors with different connection technologies. As a result, the convenient connection technology of XPC can be used as a direct alternative in many areas of application.

Expert analysis of Push-X PCB connectors

In this interview, Product Manager Lucas Lässig demonstrates in detail how Push-X technology works and why Phoenix Contact developed this connector. The Push-X connector makes installation much easier: for overhead work, in building automation, in noisy machine shops, and on cold rainy days in solar systems.

Further information and downloads


Tumbling barrel during a tumbling barrel test

Tumbling barrel test

Maximum reliability

Not only does the Push-X technology impress with its effortless and time-saving wiring, but also boasts extreme reliability. This reliability relates not only to the wiring, but also to the terminal chamber condition before wiring. Our products are subjected to a variety of normative tests, and as such we are able to guarantee that the clamping chambers remain open until the end application. They include: Vibration tests for railway applications, a transport simulation, and also for a variety of climate simulations. In addition to the normative tests, we also introduced a drop-fall test. This test simulates a scenario in which products are dropped multiple times during installation.

Terminal blocks with Push-X technology on a DIN rail

Terminal blocks with Push-X technology

Terminal blocks with Push-X technology

You will find all downloads as well as product lists for the terminal blocks with Push-X technology here.

XPC PCB connectors with Push-X technology

PCB connectors with Push-X technology

PCB connectors with Push-X technology

You will find all downloads and product lists for the PCB terminal blocks with Push-X technology here.

Phoenix Contact electronica exhibition booth

electronica 2024

Visit us at the world’s leading electronics trade fair in Munich, Germany, from November 12 – 15, 2024. Under the motto “Change Forward”, you will experience how you can use our innovations to make your applications fit for the transformation to the All Electric Society and thus prepare you for the future. We look forward to welcoming you soon.