SPT Wire and Vampire Plugs

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Disclaimers

The standard disclaimers pertaining to the information contained on this wiki page are listed here.

SPT Wire ( SPT-1 SPT-2 )


  • SPT stands for Stranded, Parallel, Thermoplastic wire. SPT is frequently known as Zip cord or Lamp Cord. SPT IS NOT SPEAKER WIRE OR LOW VOLTAGE LANDSCAPE WIRE!! SPT wire is rated for 300V or 600v, low voltage wire and speaker wire are not!!!
  • SPT is commonly used by Christmas lighting enthusiasts to create low cost custom length power cords utilizing Vampire Plugs and Sockets. SPT is commonly sold on spools of 250, 500 and 1000ft. SPT Wire comes in different wire gauges, 18awg is the most common. A common 18awg SPT-2 wire from one vendor has a rating of 10A.
  • SPT comes with different insulation thicknesses, the higher the number the thicker the insulation. SPT-2 has thicker insulation then SPT-1. The SPT rating is related to the thickness of the insulation that surrounds the copper wires. SPT-1 wire has an insulation thickness of .030″ and SPT-2 has insulation that is .045″ thick.
  • SPT wire is polarized and generally comes with two different wire textures on the wire pair to help identify the polarity when you hook it up. One wire is smooth, it is generally used for the Hot or Line wire. The other wire is usually ribbed, it is generally used for the neutral wire.
  • IMPORTANT: IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU CONNECT THE CORRECT CORRECT TERMINAL TO THE CORRECT WIRE ON BOTH ENDS! ALL PLUGS AND SOCKETS ON THE WIRE SHOULD BE WIRED WITH THE NEUTRAL TERMINAL CONNECTED TO THE RIBBED WIRE AND THE HOT (LINE) WIRE CONNECTED TO THE SMOOTH WIRE.

Vampire Plugs and Sockets

Vampire plugs get their name from the insulation piercing teeth that they have. They are designed to be used on SPT wire and allow a fast and easy way to terminate a wire. Vampire Plugs come in different shapes and functions. They come in three basic colors, Black, Green and White. The common Male Plug and Female Socket made by Zing Ear are rated for 8A @ 125VAC. Confirm the ratings and wire size by reading the printing on the item or asking your vendor.
IMPORTANT: IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU USE THE CORRECT VAMPIRE PLUG OR SOCKET THAT MATCHES YOUR WIRE TYPE! PLUGS AND SOCKETS ARE MADE FOR SPECIFIC WIRES TYPES, THEY ARE NOT UNIVERSAL. SPT-1 SOCKETS AND PLUGS SHOULD NOT BE USED WITH SPT-2 WIRE AND SPT-2 SOCKETS AND PLUGS SHOULD NOT BE USED WITH SPT-1 WIRE.

Male Plug

Male plugs are designed to go on the end of a SPT wire of the correct matching size. Male plugs are polarized and it is important that you install the wire correctly to match the polarity of the wire and plug. The two vampire teeth are designed to each pierce one wire when they are installed. You should look at the plug to identify which tooth is which.

    1. One plug blade is wider (and may be marked "White") this is the neutral blade. Generally it is attached to the ribbed wire on the SPT wire.
    2. The narrower blade is hot (or Line) blade. It is generally attached to the smooth wire on the SPT wire.


Female Socket

Female sockets are designed to go on the end of a SPT wire of the correct matching size. Female sockets are polarized and it is important that you install the wire correctly to match the polarity of the wire and plug. The two vampire teeth are designed to each pierce one wire when they are installed. You should look at the socket to identify which tooth is which.

    1. One Socket hole is wider this is the neutral hole. Generally it is attached to the ribbed wire on the SPT wire.
    2. The narrower socket hole is hot (or Line) hole. It is generally attached to the smooth wire on the SPT wire.


Female Inline Socket

Female inline sockets are designed to go in the middle of a SPT wire of the correct matching size. They look similar to regular Female Sockets but the end is missing on both sides so the wire can go thru both sides. Some people1, 2 modify regular Female Sockets to make them Inline. Female sockets are polarized and it is important that you install the wire correctly to match the polarity of the wire and plug. The two vampire teeth are designed to each pierce one wire when they are installed. You should look at the socket to identify which tooth is which.

    1. One Socket hole is wider this is the neutral hole. Generally it is attached to the ribbed wire on the SPT wire.
    2. The narrower socket hole is hot (or Line) hole. It is generally attached to the smooth wire on the SPT wire.


C7 Socket and C9 Socket

C7 or C9 sockets are designed to go in the middle of a SPT wire of the correct matching size. C7 or C9 sockets are polarized and it is important that you install the wire correctly to match the polarity of the wire and plug. The two vampire teeth are designed to each pierce one wire when they are installed. You should look at the socket to identify which tooth is which.

    1. One vampire tooth will connect to the terminal on the side wall of the socket, this is the neutral terminal. Generally it is attached to the ribbed wire on the SPT wire.
    2. One vampire tooth will connect to the bottom contact in the socket, this is the hot (or Line) terminal. It is generally attached to the smooth wire on the SPT wire.



Fused Male/Female Plug

One vendor sells Fused male plugs that can be added to SPT wire.


In 2013 a group buy took place that offered a Fused Male/Female Plug similar to what is found on traditional incandescent light strings. This new plug has built in fuses. These plugs do not have traditional Vampire teeth, but instead are attached to the wire by either crimping or soldering. They came in a Male/Female Plug with a 3A fuse and a Male Plug with a 5A fuse.

Installing Vampire Plugs / Sockets

NEVER INSTALL A VAMPIRE FITTING ON A LIVE WIRE THAT IS PLUGGED IN OR POWERED!
REMOVE ALL POWER BEFORE INSTALLING ANY VAMPIRE FITTING ON ANY WIRE!

Female Vampire

    1. Inspect socket for cracks, damage, bent teeth or "Evil Vampires" (both teeth on the same side). Confirm that the vampire is made for the wire type (SPT-1 or SPT-2) that you are using.
    2. Cut the SPT to the desired length. INSPECT THE END OF THE WIRE AND REMOVE ANY STRAY STRANDS OF WIRE PAST THE END OF THE INSULATION. Make a small cut to separate the ends of the wire slightly. Identify the neutral wire (usually ridged). IMPORTANT: IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU CONNECT THE CORRECT CORRECT TERMINAL TO THE CORRECT WIRE ON BOTH ENDS! ALL PLUGS AND SOCKETS ON THE WIRE SHOULD BE WIRED WITH THE NEUTRAL TERMINAL CONNECTED TO THE RIBBED WIRE AND THE HOT (LINE) WIRE CONNECTED TO THE SMOOTH WIRE.
    3. Identify the wider socket side (Neutral) and turn over socket to identify the correct tooth for the Neutral socket hole.

    4. With the Neutral Vampire tooth aligned to penetrate the Ribbed Neutral wire, insert the SPT into the hole at the end of the socket and gently press down so that the split wire ends are seated into the two pockets in the end of the socket.

    5. Firmly press the wire into the vampire teeth and seat the wire into the recess. Be careful to avoid pressing at an angle which may bend the vampire teeth over and not make a connection to the wire.

    6. Slide the back cover firmly onto the wire . Make sure that the sloped end slides on to the plug first. It may be helpful to use a Channel Lock Pliers to help seat the back cover firmly on.

    7. Inspect the assembled unit for cracks or poor connections.

Female Inline Vampire

    1. Inspect socket for cracks, damage, bent teeth or "Evil Vampires" (both teeth on the same side). Confirm that the vampire is made for the wire type (SPT-1 or SPT-2) that you are using.

    2. Identify the wider socket side (Neutral) and turn over socket to identify the correct tooth for the Neutral socket hole.

    3. Identify the neutral wire (usually ridged). IMPORTANT: IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU CONNECT THE CORRECT CORRECT TERMINAL TO THE CORRECT WIRE ON BOTH ENDS! ALL PLUGS AND SOCKETS ON THE WIRE SHOULD BE WIRED WITH THE NEUTRAL TERMINAL CONNECTED TO THE RIBBED WIRE AND THE HOT (LINE) WIRE CONNECTED TO THE SMOOTH WIRE. With the Neutral Vampire tooth aligned to penetrate the Ribbed Neutral wire,firmly press the wire into the vampire teeth and seat the wire into the recess. Be careful to avoid pressing at an angle which may bend the vampire teeth over and not make a connection to the wire.

    4. Slide the back cover firmly onto the wire . Make sure that the sloped end slides on to the plug first. It may be helpful to use a Channel Lock Pliers to help seat the back cover firmly on.

    5. Inspect the assembled unit for cracks or poor connections.

Male Vampire

    1. Inspect Plug for cracks, damage, bent teeth or "Evil Vampires" (both teeth on the same side). Confirm that the vampire is made for the wire type (SPT-1 or SPT-2) that you are using.

    2. Cut the SPT to the desired length. INSPECT THE END OF THE WIRE AND REMOVE ANY STRAY STRANDS OF WIRE PAST THE END OF THE INSULATION. Make a small cut to separate the ends of the wire slightly. Identify the neutral wire (usually ridged). IMPORTANT: IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU CONNECT THE CORRECT CORRECT TERMINAL TO THE CORRECT WIRE ON BOTH ENDS! ALL PLUGS AND SOCKETS ON THE WIRE SHOULD BE WIRED WITH THE NEUTRAL TERMINAL CONNECTED TO THE RIBBED WIRE AND THE HOT (LINE) WIRE CONNECTED TO THE SMOOTH WIRE.

    3. Identify the wider blade side (Neutral) and turn over plug to identify the correct tooth for the Neutral blade.

    4. With the Neutral Vampire tooth aligned to penetrate the Ribbed Neutral wire, insert the SPT into the hole at the end of the plug and gently press down so that the split wire ends are seated into the two pockets in the end of the plug.

    5. Firmly press the wire into the vampire teeth and seat the wire into the recess. Be careful to avoid pressing at an angle which may bend the vampire teeth over and not make a connection to the wire.

    6. Slide the back cover firmly onto the wire . Make sure that the sloped end slides on to the plug first. It may be helpful to use a Channel Lock Pliers to help seat the back cover firmly on.

    7. Inspect the assembled unit for cracks or poor connections.

C7 or C9 Vampire


    1. Inspect socket for cracks, damage, bent teeth or "Evil Vampires" (both teeth on the same side). Confirm that the vampire is made for the wire type (SPT-1 or SPT-2) that you are using.

  1. Identify the Neutral socket terminal (on side wall, not bottom of socket hole) and turn over socket to identify the correct tooth for the Neutral socket terminal.

    1. Identify the neutral wire (usually ridged). IMPORTANT: IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU CONNECT THE CORRECT CORRECT TERMINAL TO THE CORRECT WIRE ON BOTH ENDS! ALL PLUGS AND SOCKETS ON THE WIRE SHOULD BE WIRED WITH THE NEUTRAL TERMINAL CONNECTED TO THE RIBBED WIRE AND THE HOT (LINE) WIRE CONNECTED TO THE SMOOTH WIRE. With the Neutral Vampire tooth aligned to penetrate the Ribbed Neutral wire,firmly press the wire into the vampire teeth and seat the wire into the recess. Be careful to avoid pressing at an angle which may bend the vampire teeth over and not make a connection to the wire.

    2. The back cap is keyed to fit only one way, there is a wider tab and a narrower tab. Firmly press the back cap onto the wire. It may be helpful to use a Channel Lock Pliers to help seat the back cover firmly on. Be careful, the sockets are fragile and too much pressure may crack them.

    3. Inspect the assembled unit for cracks or poor connections.

Vendors

These are selected wire and connectors from the various vendors with a mix of properties. Visit their sites for the latest information and to see their entire product catalog.

SPT Wire,Vampire Sockets and Plugs are frequently available at preseason discounts during January and February from most vendors.


PLEASE CONFIRM ALL DETAILS WITH VENDOR BEFORE ORDERING!! ALL OF THIS DATA IS SUBJECT TO CONSTANT CHANGE AND MAY BE WRONG!!!

Pricing is in US $. Pricing is as of 02-11-13.

PRICING DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING, TAXES OR IMPORT DUTIES! COMPARE THE TOTAL SHIPPED COST!

Shipping from overseas can be expensive, check with your vendor. WIRE IS HEAVY

SPT Wire

SPT-1

Vendor Wire Length Link Price Price per ft Note
3G Light Creations SPT1 1000ft link $159.95 $0.16 Green
ChristmasLightShow SPT1 250ft link $34.95 $0.14 Green 18AWG
ChristmasLightShow SPT1 500ft link $69.95 $0.14 Green 18AWG
ChristmasLightShow SPT1 1000ft link $132.95 $0.13 Green 18AWG
Creative Displays SPT1 1000ft link $200 $0.20 Green, White, uv resistant
Grand Brass SPT1 250ft link $40 $0.16 Black, 18AWG
Home Depot SPT1 250ft link $42.70 $0.17 Black, 18AWG
LightYear Cable SPT1 1000ft link $86.70 $0.09 Black, 18AWG
Novelty Lights SPT1 1000ft link $165 $0.17 Green 18AWG
Skycraft Surplus SPT1 250ft link $45 $0.18 Black 18AWG
The Christmas Light Outlet SPT1 1000ft link $159.95 $0.16 Green 18AWG
Radiant Holidays SPT1 250ft link $42.99 $0.17 Green 18AWG
Radiant Holidays SPT1 1000ft link $114.99 $0.11 Green 18AWG

SPT-2

Vendor Wire Length Link Price Price per ft Note
3G Light Creations SPT2 1000ft link $169.95 $0.17 Green
ChristmasLightShow SPT2 250ft link $41.95 $0.17 Black 18AWG
ChristmasLightShow SPT2 500ft link $79.95 $0.16 Green 18AWG
ChristmasLightShow SPT2 1000ft link $144.95 $0.15 Green 18AWG
Grand Brass SPT2 250ft link $55 $0.22 Black 18AWG
Home Depot SPT2 250ft link $45.26 $0.18 Black 18AWG
LightYear Cable SPT2 1000ft link $136.50 $0.14 Black, 16AWG
Novelty Lights SPT2 1000ft link $180 $0.18 Green 18AWG
Radiant Holidays SPT2 250ft link $44.99 $0.18 Green 18AWG
Radiant Holidays SPT2 1000ft link $130 $0.13 Green 18AWG

Vampire Plugs and Sockets

SPT-1

Vendor Size Type Link Price Price per Unit Note
SPT-1 Male Plug
Ace Hardware SPT-1 Male link $26.99 $1.08 Package of 25 Green
Action Lighting SPT-1 Male link $5.93 $0.49 Package of 12 Green
Action Lighting SPT-1 Male link $5.93 $0.49 Package of 12 White
3G Light Creations SPT-1 Male link $6.95 $0.70 Package of 10 Green
3G Light Creations SPT-1 Male link $6.95 $0.70 Package of 10 White
ChristmasLightShow SPT-1 Male link $6.00 $0.60 Package of 10 Green
Creative Displays SPT-1 Male link $6.00 $0.60 Package of 10 (White, Black or Green)
Home Depot (online) SPT-1 Male link $ $ Only available in season Green
LEDGenLighting SPT-1 Male link $19.00 $0.38 Package of 50 Green
LEDGenLighting SPT-1 Male link $19.00 $0.38 Package of 50 White
Novelty Lights SPT-1 Male link $0.85 $0.85 Package of 1 Green (Discount for quantity 50-149 $0.65, 150+ $0.50)
Novelty Lights SPT-1 Male link $0.85 $0.85 Package of 1 White (Discount for quantity 50-149 $0.65, 150+ $0.50)
Radiant Holidays SPT-1 Male link $25.00 $0.50 Package of 50 or 10 in Green or White
Zipplugs SPT-1 Male link $ $ See site for pricing, includes shipping and small quantities
SPT-1 Female Socket
Ace Hardware SPT-1 Female link $26.99 $1.089 Package of 25 Green
Action Lighting SPT-1 Female link $5.93 $0.49 Package of 12 Green
Action Lighting SPT-1 Female link $5.93 $0.49 Package of 12 White
3G Light Creations SPT-1 Female link $6.95 $0.70 Package of 10 Green
3G Light Creations SPT-1 Female link $6.95 $0.70 Package of 10 White
ChristmasLightShow SPT-1 Female link $6.00 $0.60 Package of 10 Green
Creative Displays SPT-1 Female link $6.00 $0.60 Package of 10 (White, Black or Green)
Home Depot (online) SPT-1 Female link $ $ Only available in season Green
LEDGenLighting SPT-1 Female link $20.00 $0.40 Package of 50 Green
LEDGenLighting SPT-1 Female link $20.00 $0.40 Package of 50 White
Novelty Lights SPT-1 Female link $0.85 $0.85 Package of 1 Green (Discount for quantity 50-149 $0.65, 150+ $0.50)
Novelty Lights SPT-1 Female link $0.85 $0.85 Package of 1 White (Discount for quantity 50-149 $0.65, 150+ $0.50)
Radiant Holidays SPT-1 Female link $25.00 $0.50 Package of 50 or 10 in Green or White
Zipplugs SPT-1 Female link $ $ See site for pricing, includes shipping and small quantities
SPT-1 Female Inline Socket
Creative Displays SPT-1 Female Inline link $6.00 $0.60 Package of 10 (White, Black or Green)
Radiant Holidays SPT-1 Female Inline link $25.00 $0.50 Package of 50 or 10 in Green or White
Zipplugs SPT-1 Female Inline link $ $ See site for pricing, includes shipping and small quantities
SPT-1 C7 Socket
Action Lighting SPT-1 C7 link $11.41 $0.11 Package of 100 (Green or White)
ChristmasLightShow SPT-1 C7 link $2.95 $0.30 Package of 10 Green
Creative Displays SPT-1 C7 link $3.50 $0.35 Package of 10 (White, Black or Green)
LEDGenLighting SPT-1 C7 link $4.00 $0.08 Package of 50 Green (Check with vendor does not say SPT1 or SPT2?)
LEDGenLighting SPT-1 C7 link $4.00 $0.08 Package of 50 White (Check with vendor does not say SPT1 or SPT2?)
Novelty Lights SPT-1 C7 link $8.50 $0.17 Package of 50 Green
Novelty Lights SPT-1 C7 link $8.50 $0.17 Package of 50 White
Radiant Holidays SPT-1 C7 link $10.00 $0.20 Package of 50 Green (SPT1/SPT2)
SPT-1 C9 Socket
Action Lighting SPT-1 C9 link $11.41 $0.11 Package of 100 (Green or White)
ChristmasLightShow SPT-1 C9 link $3.95 $0.40 Package of 10 Green
Creative Displays SP-T1 C9 link $4.00 $0.40 Package of 10 (White, Black or Green)
LEDGenLighting SPT-1 C9 link $5.00 $0.10 Package of 50 Green (Check with vendor does not say SPT1 or SPT2?)
LEDGenLighting SPT-1 C9 link $5.00 $0.10 Package of 50 White (Check with vendor does not say SPT1 or SPT2?)
Novelty Lights SPT-1 C9 link $9.50 $0.19 Package of 50 Green
Novelty Lights SPT-1 C9 link $8.50 $0.17 Package of 50 White
Radiant Holidays SPT-1 C9 link $10.00 $0.20 Package of 50 Green (SPT1/SPT2)

SPT-2

Vendor Size Type Link Price Price per Unit Note
SPT-2 Male Plug
Action Lighting SPT-2 Male link $5.93 $0.49 Package of 12 Green
Action Lighting SPT-2 Male link $5.93 $0.49 Package of 12 White
3G Light Creations SPT-2 Male link $6.95 $0.70 Package of 10 Green
3G Light Creations SPT-2 Male link $6.95 $0.70 Package of 10 White
ChristmasLightShow SPT-2 Male link $6.00 $0.60 Package of 10 Green
LEDGenLighting SPT-2 Male link $19.00 $0.38 Package of 50 Green
Novelty Lights SPT-2 Male link $0.85 $0.85 Package of 1 Green (Discount for quantity 50-149 $0.65, 150+ $0.50)
Novelty Lights SPT-2 Male link $0.85 $0.85 Package of 1 White (Discount for quantity 50-149 $0.65, 150+ $0.50)
Radiant Holidays SPT-2 Male link $25.00 $0.50 Packages of 50, 10 Green
SPT-2 Female Socket
Action Lighting SPT-2 Female link $5.93 $0.49 Package of 12 Green
Action Lighting SPT-2 Female link $5.93 $0.49 Package of 12 White
3G Light Creations SPT-2 Female link $6.95 $0.70 Package of 10 Green
3G Light Creations SPT-2 Female link $6.95 $0.70 Package of 10 White
ChristmasLightShow SPT-2 Female link $6.00 $0.60 Package of 10 Green
LEDGenLighting SPT-2 Female link $20.00 $0.40 Package of 50 Green
Novelty Lights SPT-2 Female link $0.85 $0.85 Package of 1 Green (Discount for quantity 50-149 $0.65, 150+ $0.50)
Novelty Lights SPT-2 Female link $0.85 $0.85 Package of 1 White (Discount for quantity 50-149 $0.65, 150+ $0.50)
Radiant Holidays SPT-2 Female link $25.00 $0.50 Packages of 50, 10 Green
SPT-2 Female Inline Socket
Radiant Holidays SPT-2 Female Inline link $25.00 $0.50 Package of 50 Green
SPT-2 C7 Socket
Action Lighting SPT-2 C7 link $11.41 $0.11 Package of 100 (Green or White)
ChristmasLightShow SPT-2 C7 link $2.95 $0.30 Package of 10 Green
LEDGenLighting SPT-2 C7 link $4.00 $0.08 Package of 50 Green (Check with vendor does not say SPT1 or SPT2?)
LEDGenLighting SPT-2 C7 link $4.00 $0.08 Package of 50 White (Check with vendor does not say SPT1 or SPT2?)
Novelty Lights SPT-2 C7 link $8.50 $0.17 Package of 50 Green
Novelty Lights SPT-2 C7 link $8.50 $0.17 Package of 50 White
Radiant Holidays SPT-2 C7 link $10.00 $0.20 Package of 50 Green (SPT1/SPT2)
SPT-2 C9 Socket
Action Lighting SPT-2 C9 link $11.41 $0.11 Package of 100 (Green or White)
ChristmasLightShow SPT-2 C9 link $3.95 $0.40 Package of 10 Green
DIYLEDExpress SPT-2 C9 link $3.75 $0.31 Package of 12 Green
LEDGenLighting SPT-2 C9 link $5.00 $0.10 Package of 50 Green (Check with vendor does not say SPT1 or SPT2?)
LEDGenLighting SPT-2 C9 link $5.00 $0.10 Package of 50 White (Check with vendor does not say SPT1 or SPT2?)
Novelty Lights SPT-2 C9 link $9.50 $0.19 Package of 50 Green
Novelty Lights SPT-2 C9 link $8.50 $0.17 Package of 50 White
Radiant Holidays SPT-2 C9 link $10.00 $0.20 Package of 50 Green (SPT1/SPT2)