Wire connectors are used to connect two or more wires together. There are many types of wire connectors, the most common are twist- on. IDEAL Industries brand twist- on wire connectors are the most commonly used and will be featured in this article. Twist- on wire connectors are available in many different color- coded sizes to allow for different wire gauges and number of wires. Aside from relying on our own experience (for example, where we have worked on volunteer construction projects under the supervision of a licensed electrician), we’ve also interviewed David Shapiro, a licensed electrician, electrical inspector, and expert who has spent countless hours as member of various electrical code advisory groups. Having practiced the electrical trade for the last 40 years, he’s made thousands of electrical splices and investigated nearly as many failed splices in old homes. His book on old house wiring and upgrading old house wiring are considered by many to be industry classics and the definitive works on these subjects. When it comes down to it, we recommend not going for the cheaply priced connectors. When it comes to electrical stability, it’s always good to invest in high-quality components. That being said, be wary of not being fooled by high prices. Always look into the construction quality! FAQs About Wire Connectors Q: What is a wire connector, and what is its function?

If you’re worried about compatibility, don’t be. These connectors can accommodate a large variety of wire sizes of up to 4mm. And because of the dual screw design, no soldering is required either. To connect two wire-terminated connectors, wire-to-wire connections are used. They are used to connect electrical, electronic, and computer components. Some general requirements for a wire-to-wire connector are the number of circuits or places, mating combination, wire size or gender.Want to spark (if you’ll pardon the pun) a lively debate between electricians? Ask them if they pre-twist conductors before applying a twist-on connector. That is, if they twist the wires together beforehand and then add the connector as insurance or if they allow the connector to twist the conductors together. The UL requirement for listing is that the connector itself must provide sufficient binding force so that it will form an electrically reliable connection without this pre-twisting. What we really love about these things, though, is their construction. Made with pure copper and plated in gold, these non-magnetic connectors promise ultimate longevity in whatever set of speakers you put them in. Shapiro, with countless splices behind him, is firmly in the pre-twist camp. “I just about always pre-twist,” he says. These wires are stripped (or not, see instructions) and inserted into the connectors. A pliers or crimping tool can be used to squeeze the top and bottom of the connector together to make the connections. This is essential as anytime, a house, flat/apartment or dwelling of any kind is sold or rented/leased, the electrics have to be tested.

Special feedthrough twist-on wire connectors differ from standard wire connectors in that they have an additional opening at the top of the insulated cap. This allows a single-conductor bare wire to be pushed through the hole, forming a "pigtail" section which can be attached to a grounding screw. These feedthrough connectors are typically green, and are also called "screw-on grounding connectors". Most electricians that I have meet in california have a very limited knowledge of testing & fault finding. They normally want to rewire the house or upgrade the fuseboard/panel rather than locate & rectify the fault. Manufactured in Germany, this Wago wire connector is one of the most versatile we’ve found during our search. Due to its design, you will be able to work with both solid and stranded wires. And, its electric current handling capacity goes up to 20 amperes and 300vacs. IDEAL Industries first wire connector was called wire- nut®, and had become the trade name for any twist- on wire connector. IDEAL Industries provides information on their wire connectors including connector color coding that indicates size. Connector colors and sizes are not the same within the industry, but they are similar to IDEAL’s connectors. Twist- On Wire Nuts Wire connectors of the twist-on variety come with grooves on their body to facilitate installation. They have to be installed manually, i.e., by hand. Some higher-end connectors of this type come with extensions resembling wings to allow for an easier attachment, typically using a tool like a nut driver.Romex cable in the USA has softer and is less rugged than the equivalent T&E cable in the UK. It is not mechanically tough and can easily be damaged. William P. Marr emigrated from Scotland to Ontario, Canada early in the twentieth century. After settling in the Toronto area, he was employed as an electrician contractor for Ontario Hydro, converting gas-lit homes to electrical incandescent lighting. Although it may be possible with sufficient patience and muscle to twist and pull the wire conductors out of a push-in connector, their design is intended to prevent this, and the same connector won’t be able to be reused as it and the conductor ends will have been damaged. Push-in connectors are designed to be installed once (and completely replaced with a new termination and connector if disconnection/reconnection are ever required). The Pros: Depending on how different wire connectors function, they are classified into the following types: 1. Twist-On Wire Connectors The push-in variety of wire connectors is very distinct in its appearance: equipped with a clear shell, this connector allows you to see exactly when the connection is being made. It’s also easy to remove and reuse these connectors as all you have to do is twist or pull the connectors away.

From their size, it would be almost impossible to guess the essential role that wire connectors play in the electrician or mechanic’s tool box. So what’s in the box? A combination of rings, forks, hooks, butt connectors, and disconnects make up this 250-piece set, so no matter what the wiring needs of your project are, you can depend on this set. Underground wire connectors and waterproof wire connectors are used in a variety of electrical wiring applications, including outdoor lighting, irrigation systems, and other outdoor electrical systems. They are an essential component of any outdoor electrical system, as they allow wires to be securely and safely connected to transmit electricity. 5. Push-In Wire Connectors Ceramic twist-on connectors are made for high-temperature applications, such as heating appliances. Data and phone wires are very small in diameter at 22 to 24 AWG. These wires are used for telephone, computer data, and garage door opener wiring and are to be used for low voltage only. Butt splice connectors are used to connect two or more wires together.Spade wire connectors allow the user to connect/disconnect instantly in screw-type connections and electric boards, which makes them very popular in plug-and-play applications. So if you’re working with DVDs and/or stereos, a spade connector will be suitable for you. Durability UK junction boxes, switches, ceiling-roses etc contain enough built-in connectors that additional loose connectors are not normally needed. In this blog, we’ll review three of the most common wire connector designs. We’ll rank them from “Good” to “Best” with a brief history + pros and cons. That way, you can make your own decisions about what’s best for you. Wire Connectors Examined and Compared in this Article: In the use of this device, the electrician merely bares and twists his wire ends together. He then caps them with a sleeve which he rigidly secures in place by means of the grub screw, which on account of its long thread bearing may be tightened very securely without danger of stripping. The outer insulating tubular enclosure is then threaded on .to the metallic cap and the job is completed."

Crimp-on wire connectors attach a wire to a terminal or object, like a switch, outlet, or lighting fixture. They have a mechanism that clamps down on the wire when it is crimped onto them, and they are constructed of metal or plastic.Strip wires, usually about ½ inch for two wires. Strip about ¾ to 1 inch for more than two wires. Lead stranded wire(s) beyond the solid wire(s) by about 1/16 inch(1.6mm). That’s because the gold plating is not only there for that luxe look; they also guard against corrosion and rust. What’s more, each connector’s collar is signified by a different color to help you identify polarity. Offering ease of use, performance, and durability, these are the audio wire connectors to go for. Highlighted Features For professionals adept at using them, twist-ons are almost as fast and convenient as anything else. So the cost savings for them makes sense. However, for the average DIYer, the value of an easily repeatable and secure connection is usually worth the cost of push-ins or lever-nuts.