Choosing between an industrial connector kit and a bulk conduit connector lot can feel like comparing two halves of the same control-cable and I/O system. But they solve different problems: the CNLINKO LP-16 creates a disconnect between cables, while the Arlington 38AST terminates cable into a box. Knowing which side of the job you're on makes the decision clear.
Quick Verdict
Pick the CNLINKO LP-16 if you need a reverse-keyed circular connector for joining cables. Its listed price is $120.00. Pick the Arlington Industries 38AST if you need a bulk lot of snap-in fittings for armored cable. Its listed price is $52.26. The price spread between the two is $67.74.
At a Glance
| Product | Listed Price | What It Is | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNLINKO LP-16 3-Pin Industrial Connector Kit - 10 Complete Sets | $120.00 | Industrial connector kit with 10 mating pairs and 3-pin design | IP67 water and dust protection with disconnect-style mating |
| Arlington Industries 38AST 3/8" Snap2 IT Connector Lot of 50 | $52.26 | Zinc die-cast conduit cable connector lot with insulated throat | Snap-in MC/HCF/AC/HCF cable terminations into boxes |
Where Each Product Wins
- CNLINKO LP-16 wins for disconnect-style connections. The kit is assembled as complete pairs, and the connector layout helps keep certain socket sets from being plugged into others. That separation is useful when different circuits live in the same panel.
- Arlington 38AST wins for installation speed and bulk supply. The design snaps cable in and snaps the fitting into the box, and the lot gives you a complete supply for larger jobs.
Product Notes
CNLINKO LP-16 3-Pin Industrial Connector Kit - 10 Complete Sets
Choose this kit when control wiring needs a circular connector rather than a conduit fitting. The set is supplied as complete pairs, with plastic plug housings and metal sockets. Because the connectors are reverse keyed, you can keep certain sockets from being accidentally mated to others, which is handy when separate circuits share the same enclosure. That makes it practical for LED lighting, audio/visual equipment, and industrial power hookups. The trade-off is scope: this is a disconnect-style connector, not a conduit cable connector. If your job is strictly feeding cable into a box, this kit will not do that work.
Arlington Industries 38AST 3/8" Snap2 IT Connector Lot of 50
Reach for the Arlington lot when you want to terminate flexible metallic conduit quickly. Each connector is zinc die-cast with an insulated throat, and no heavy tooling is needed: snap the cable into the fitting, then snap the fitting into the box. The listed cable range runs from .405 to .612 inches, covering MC/HCF steel and aluminum cable as well as AC/HCF cable. Removing a cable is easy too: loosen the screw in the top and pull it free. The limit is that this is a conduit cable connector, not a multi-pin industrial connector. It does not create a disconnecting point; it terminates cable into an enclosure.
Final Choice by Use Case
If you are building a connection point that needs to be disconnected later, the CNLINKO LP-16 kit gives you the disconnects to do it. If you are running armored cable into enclosures and want a ready supply of fittings, the Arlington 38AST lot is the practical buy. For a complete control-cable and I/O installation, you may well need both: one for the cable entry, one for the disconnect.
