Panduit EV18-8FB-Q StrongHold Vinyl-Insulated Fork Terminal

Overview

The Panduit EV18-8FB-Q is a StrongHold™ vinyl-insulated fork (spade) terminal designed for 22–18 AWG conductors terminating at a #8 screw. At 0.93 inches overall length and 0.32 inches (8.1 mm) width at the fork, it is sized for compact panel wiring, control enclosures, and anywhere a captive, removable screw connection is required without fully removing the fastener. Each pack contains 25 pieces, with carton quantities of 250 available for higher-volume runs.

The EV18-8FB-Q (often searched as EV18 8FB Q) carries UL Listing 587H E52164 and CSA Certification LR31212 — the two marks that matter most for panel builders and integrators working to NEC and Canadian Electrical Code requirements. The zinc-plated (verzinkt) barrel and tongue provide a corrosion-resistant mating surface that holds up in control cabinet environments where humidity and condensation are recurring concerns.

Key Features

• 22–18 AWG Wire Range: Covers the most common control-circuit wire gauges in a single terminal — no need to stock separate SKUs for 22 AWG signal runs and 18 AWG power feeds in the same enclosure.
• Fork (Spade) Tongue for #8 Screw: The open-ended fork seats under a #8 fastener without fully removing it, cutting termination time in high-density panels where access is tight and screws are torqued in place.
• StrongHold™ Vinyl Insulation, UL587-H Flammability Rating: The sleeve is rated UL587-H for flammability, meaning it meets the flame-resistance threshold required by UL for insulated terminals used in listed equipment — relevant when your assembly must pass panel UL listing inspection.
• Zinc-Plated Barrel: Tin-over-zinc plating resists oxidation at the crimp interface, preserving contact resistance over the service life of the connection — important in HVAC control panels and outdoor-rated enclosures where bare copper would tarnish.
• 0.93 in Overall Length / 8.1 mm Fork Width: Compact geometry fits dense terminal blocks and narrow DIN-rail enclosures without crowding adjacent terminations.
• UL Listed (587H E52164) + CSA Certified (LR31212): Dual-listed for both US and Canadian panel builds — one terminal covers bi-national projects without substitution mid-run.
• Compatible with Panduit CT-Series Crimp Tools: Verified for use with CT-100A, CT-160, CT-260, CT-400, CT-600-A (CT-500CH and CT-550CH), CT-1550, CT-1551, and CT-2500 (CT-2550CH) — if you are already running Panduit tooling, no additional tooling investment is required.
• Pack of 25, Carton of 250: The 25-piece pack suits small panel jobs and service stock; the 250-piece carton supports production panel assembly without per-terminal packaging waste.

Integration and Compatibility

The EV18-8FB-Q is specified for Panduit's CT-series compression crimp tools. Compatible models include the CT-100A, CT-160, CT-260, CT-400, CT-600-A (in both CT-500CH and CT-550CH configurations), CT-1550, CT-1551, and CT-2500 (CT-2550CH). Using the matched tool is not optional for listed assemblies — a mismatched die produces an under- or over-crimped barrel that voids the UL listing on the finished connection.

The fork tongue is sized for a #8 screw, making it compatible with standard #8-32 and #8 sheet-metal screws found on most DIN-rail terminal blocks, ground bus bars, and equipment grounding points in control panels. Cross-reference competitor part numbers S228VL and TV188VXV if sourcing from alternate catalogs for the same application.

What's in the Box

• 25x Panduit EV18-8FB-Q StrongHold vinyl-insulated fork terminals (22–18 AWG, #8 screw)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What wire gauge range does the EV18-8FB-Q accept?

A: The EV18-8FB-Q is rated for 22–18 AWG conductors. It is not suitable for 16 AWG or larger wire — use a different terminal in the StrongHold series for heavier gauges.

Q: What screw size does the fork tongue fit?

A: The fork is sized for a #8 screw. It will not seat correctly on #6 or #10 hardware, so verify your terminal block or equipment grounding point uses #8 fasteners before ordering.

Q: Is the EV18-8FB-Q UL Listed?

A: Yes. The EV18-8FB-Q carries UL Listing 587H under file number E52164 and CSA Certification under file LR31212. Both marks are printed on the insulation sleeve.

Q: Which Panduit crimp tools are compatible with the EV18-8FB-Q?

A: Panduit specifies the following CT-series tools: CT-100A, CT-160, CT-260, CT-400, CT-600-A (CT-500CH), CT-600-A (CT-550CH), CT-1550, CT-1551, and CT-2500 (CT-2550CH). Always use the correct die insert for the 22–18 AWG range.

Q: How many terminals come in a package?

A: Each package contains 25 terminals. Full cartons contain 250 pieces and are available for production-volume panel assembly.

Q: Are there equivalent or cross-reference part numbers for the EV18-8FB-Q?

A: Competitor cross-references include S228VL and TV188VXV. These are equivalent fork terminals from other manufacturers that may be sourced as substitutes, though dimensional and listing confirmation is recommended before substitution in a listed assembly.

Karl Wilson

The EV18-8FB-Q is a straightforward termination component, but the details matter on a panel build: the UL 587H flammability rating and dual UL/CSA listing mean this terminal satisfies the marks that inspectors are looking for on listed control panels without requiring you to source separate parts for US and Canadian projects. The 22–18 AWG range and #8 fork size cover the bulk of low-voltage control wiring in access control, CCTV power distribution, and alarm panel enclosures.

Technical Highlights:

• UL 587H / CSA LR31212 Dual Listing: Satisfies both NEC and CEC panel listing requirements from a single SKU — eliminates the need to manage two terminal part numbers across a bi-national install program.
• 22–18 AWG Range: Wide enough to cover both 22 AWG signal runs and 18 AWG power feeds in the same enclosure without carrying a second terminal part number in your kit.
• Fork Tongue, #8 Screw: The open-ended fork allows hot-swapping connections under a captive screw — faster than ring terminals when servicing a live panel where removing fasteners completely is impractical.

Deployment Considerations:

• Always match the crimp tool to the wire gauge — the CT-series compatibility list (CT-100A through CT-2500) is specific, and an incorrect die produces a non-listed crimp that will fail inspection on a UL-listed panel assembly.
• The fork is sized strictly for #8 hardware; #6 and #10 are both out of spec. Confirm screw size on your terminal blocks before pulling from stock — a #10 block will let the fork float and cause intermittent contact under vibration.

For security integrators building access control or intrusion panel enclosures with mixed 22 AWG data runs and 18 AWG power feeds, the EV18-8FB-Q eliminates a SKU from your termination kit while keeping both listings intact — a practical pick for production panel shops running consistent gauge ranges across multiple project types.