The Founding of WAGO

11 March 2024

1960-1969

• 1961: Wolfgang Hohorst joins the company
• 1963: First rail-mount terminal block with 4-conductor PUSH WIRE® connection for the elevator and signal device industries
• 1964: First modular PCB terminal block with spring clamp connection
• 1965: First PCB connector with spring clamp connection
• 1966: The world’s first use of polyamide 6.6 for rail-mount terminal block housings
• 1968: First screwless pluggable terminal block for capacitors
• 1969: First screwable/pluggable terminal block for electronic ballasts

Until 1967, there were no pluggable connectors and solderable terminal blocks with spring pressure connections for PCBs. Therefore, WAGO developed the first direct plugs for PCBs with spring pressure connection technology for solid and fine-stranded conductors from 0.2 to 1 mm⊃2. The plugs have a modular structure and are available with 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 poles. Simultaneously, WAGO introduced its first family of PCB terminal blocks with spring pressure connection technology and integrated test sockets as the 1960s ended. The modular design of the terminal blocks enables extremely cost-effective production of any number of poles. WAGO’s entry into PCB connection components was successful.

The manufacturer for Otis elevator systems was already buying double-deck terminal blocks in bulk by 1964, and planned to introduce PCBs in 1965. For this purpose, the company sought pluggable connectors that were wired to the back of the control cabinets and allowed direct front insertion of the PCBs. A small revolution for the construction of cabinets in the elevator industry. WAGO’s design proposal was accepted immediately, and Otis became the first and largest buyer of pluggable PCB connectors. Many smaller customers followed. At the same time, Siemens Erlangen needed a PCB terminal block with spring pressure connection technology for a project because they had already had a good experience with spring pressure connection thanks to the WAGO Compact Terminal Block. The first samples of WAGO’s PCB terminal blocks, which were introduced a few weeks later, were enthusiastically received. The terminal blocks were then successfully sold to other customers.

By 1968, WAGO had already developed the first screwless pluggable terminal block for capacitors in collaboration with Bosch. This successful product became a standard offering at Bosch and AEG within a short period. Based on this success, WAGO developed the first screw/push-in terminal block for ballasts in 1969. This is the beginning of spring pressure connection technology in the lighting industry.

The spring clamps for ballasts and capacitors were trendsetters for spring pressure connection technology in the lighting industry. The reason being that lights were wired exclusively with solid core conductors. By using spring clamps, the wiring labor was reduced to simply inserting the conductor – an enormous time savings! Capacitor and ballast terminal blocks have been successful for WAGO for decades. This success drives development at WAGO on terminal strips for internal wiring and power connection of lights.