Spring Loaded – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Spring Loaded refers to any vape component—most commonly the 510 connection pin—that uses a coiled metal spring to maintain constant, adjustable contact pressure. In vaping, this tiny mechanism lets your tank or atomiser sit flush on your mod even when tolerances vary by fractions of a millimetre. Whether you’re screwing a Sub-Ohm Tank”>sub-ohm tank onto a squonk mod or swapping Kit“>starter kit parts, a spring-loaded pin guarantees reliable electrical flow and prevents the short circuit protection from kicking in due to poor contact.

Technical Details

Inside the 510 connector, a stainless-steel spring exerts 0.5–1.5 kg of force on a floating positive pin. This pin is usually gold-plated copper or silver-plated brass to maximise conductivity and resist corrosion. Two common variants exist:

  • Fixed-spring: Constant tension; found in most regulated mods.
  • Adjustable-spring:Screw or hex key lets you fine-tune protrusion—handy for hybrid mechs or raised-deck RDAs.

Some high-end devices use dual-stage springs (progressive rate) to absorb impact if you over-tighten, while spring-loaded squonk pins incorporate silicone seals rated up to 60 °C to handle thick VG juice without seizing.

Usage & Tips

Keep the spring and pin clean: once a week, remove your atomiser and swab the 510 with isopropyl alcohol to prevent steeping juice or pocket lint from gumming the mechanism. If your mod reads “No Atomiser,” check that the spring hasn’t collapsed—gently tug the pin with tweezers to restore 0.5 mm travel. Avoid cranking tanks on too tight; over-compression can deform the spring and void short circuit protection accuracy. When travelling, store your starter kit upright so gravity doesn’t preload the spring unnecessarily.

History & Context

Spring-loaded 510s became standard around 2014, replacing fixed pins that required painstaking 510 spacer washers. The innovation coincided with the rise of sub-ohm vaping in Australia and the global shift toward user-friendly squonk mods, ensuring safer, hassle-free connections across the evolving vape market.

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