Tri-Post – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

A Tri-Post is a style of rebuildable atomiser deck that carries three terminal posts—one positive in the centre and two negative on the outer edges—giving Australian vapers a stable, beginner-friendly platform for installing coils. The extra post creates two separate negative “banks,” letting builders trap up to four coil leads securely without crowding. Designed for single or dual-coil set-ups, a Tri-Post layout speeds up building, improves electrical contact and delivers even heat across the wick, producing consistent vapour and flavour while keeping installation simple compared with more complex postless or series decks.

Technical Details

Most Tri-Post decks measure 18–25 mm in diameter and use 2.5–3 mm diameter post holes drilled 4–5 mm apart, accepting 20–26 AWG Kanthal, NiChrome, stainless-steel or Wire“>Titanium wire. The central positive post is insulated by PEEK or PTFE to prevent shorting, while the outer posts are milled into the deck for Resistance“>low resistance grounding. Flat-head or hex screws (M2.5–M3) clamp wire ends vertically, allowing quick trimming. Variations include “split-positive” versions that add a second positive hole for staggered coils, and squonk-ready Tri-Post RDAs that integrate a hollow 510 positive pin for bottom-feeding mods. Some manufacturers chamfer post edges to reduce wire shear when using fragile Temperature Control (TC) alloys.

Usage & Tips

• Pre-cut leads to 5–6 mm so coil bottoms sit just above the air-flow slots; this prevents spit-back and maximises Hit“>throat hit.
• Tighten screws in an X-pattern to keep pressure even and avoid floating leads that can cause hot-spots or erratic resistance readings.
• When using Top Filltanks with a Tri-Post RTA, close the Juice Flow”>juice flow before unscrewing the top-cap to limit flooding.
• Pulse coils at 15–20 W without cotton, pinch with ceramic tweezers to eliminate hotspots, then wick loosely with high-quality cotton for best flavour.
• Always verify that no coil wrap touches the deck or cap; a short will bypass the mod’s protections and can vent batteries.

History & Context

The Tri-Post layout emerged in 2013–14 when vapers demanded easier dual-coil builds than the original two-post Genesis style. Early Australian cloud-chasing forums popularised the design after American RDA makers released iconic atomisers such as the Tobh and Stillare. As Temperature Control (TC) and complex wire types gained traction, manufacturers retained the Tri-Post for its balance of simplicity and versatility, making it a staple on both entry-level and high-end rebuildables today.