Neurorad said:
For a typical resi alarm install, how often are these 'B' connectors used? Do any of the Elk devices use flying leads? I'm planning an M1 install myself, and am curious.
Anywhere there is a pigtail. I tend to use them on fire alarm when tying conductors through, as I like more of a permanent installation 9/10 times.....however many like wire nuts for larger AWG's and solid conductors (as most fire wire is). I also use them to insulate unused conductors in certain applications, where voltage or shorts may be present and safeing the wires with tape isn't desired or suitable for longevity. If you home run devices, each time you series connections. In the case of EOLR's that are located within junctions and heavier AWG conductors are present, always to pigtail to heavier wire. In junctions that aren't likely to have to be torn apart for service/permanent wiring....Connecting telephone lines from a 31X back to house wiring....
I'll just say in an install large enough for a M1 with expansion and additonal interfaces, I wouldn't blink about blowing through a bag of 100 or two. When I was installing more smaller projects and converting/taking over older installs with lots of junction boxes and plenty of selective rewiring, I could blow through 1000 or 2000 a week easily.
In the specific case of the M1, at the keypad, there's 6 right there, if you don't use a hub and pull enough conductors, the amount to tie the 485 through to the next device (2 per each 485 daisy). If you put EOLR's in the field at the device(s) specifically contacts, there's one there. I tend to wire PIR's as 3 wire many times, however I also use unused terminals in some units as splice points (common in industry if installers are more seasoned in the area, since chicklets cost money!)
Usually, wire nuts are far more common in commercial where splices end up in larger components and junction boxes and are subject to having more components replaced more often.