Motor wiring connections - wagos?

[mdr]

Hi all,
What are you using to connect motor windings/capacitor leads in the motor splice box? Wire nuts, wago's, crimp lugs?

I've got a 2HP dayton dual voltage capacitor start motor, originally wired at 220, moving to 110. Original wiring (original = when I bought it) used wire nuts to connect leads and I'm surprised it ran - the connections looked pretty poor when I removed the wire nuts. Was that a technique failure on the part of previous wirer? Is anyone using wago's?

Murray

 

[fitter30]

12 gauge and smaller wire nuts
Larger polaris connectors they use a setscrews to tight the wires down

 

[Firebrick43]

No to wago’s and wire nuts

Bare ring terminals appropriate sized to the wire awg and crimped on. Connect the ring terminals back to back with a machine screw and nut and tighten.

Wrap with cambic tape

Then two layers of splicing tape

And then two wraps of 3m 33 electrical tape.

Here is a source that site the NFPA and NEC

https://techtopind.net/files/download-item/pdf_documents/Lead_Connection_Recommedation_document.pdf

Wagos have less surface contact that wire nuts

 

[Jim greengo]

Split bolts ,I don't use wagos on anything.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I wouldn't use wagos or nuts for motor connections

Ive used split bolts and insulated Polaris connectors...

 

[mdr]

Thanks all. I figured it would be something like ring terminals or a split bolt. How in the world can you get all of this to fit inside the motor terminal box? The box on this motor is incorporated into the motor frame, so there is barely enough room for the bare wires. The space is maybe 3x1.5x1 inches, maybe 5 cu in.

and damn, that cambric tape is pricey.

 

[Earp69]

For a motor that size just wire nuts and tape over the nuts with super 88. I've replaced a lot of motors in my day, there's a bunch of overkill posted in here. If you did what firebrick suggested you'd need a 4 box just to put your wiring in lol.

 

[rlitman]

For a motor that size just wire nuts and tape over the nuts with super 88. I've replaced a lot of motors in my day, there's a bunch of overkill posted in here. If you did what firebrick suggested you'd need a 4 box just to put your wiring in lol.

Wire nuts should be fine, but I prefer to use crimp caps for motors:

 

[ycgoat]

For smaller wire sizes #10 and below I was taught to use wire nuts and tape with the tape needed to help ensure the nuts do not vibrate lose. I have not come across failed wire nuts in a motor done like this, but I have gone into many old GP junction boxes and had wire nuts just pull off that sometimes were causing lose connections.

 

[brockmub]

I'm going to go out on a limb and admit that I use Wago connectors all the time. However, I only use them for testing and prototyping. Once I have my project figured out, I pull the Wagos out and will solder the connections then heat shrink it.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

For a motor that size just wire nuts and tape over the nuts with super 88. I've replaced a lot of motors in my day, there's a bunch of overkill posted in here. If you did what firebrick suggested you'd need a 4 box just to put your wiring in lol.

Cant count the times ive found melted wire nuts in a motor box...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I'm going to go out on a limb and admit that I use Wago connectors all the time. However, I only use them for testing and prototyping. Once I have my project figured out, I pull the Wagos out and will solder the connections then heat shrink it.

What type of projects are you doing?

Soldering is totally unnecessary for building wiring and makes servicing difficult...

 

[Firebrick43]

For a motor that size just wire nuts and tape over the nuts with super 88. I've replaced a lot of motors in my day, there's a bunch of overkill posted in here. If you did what firebrick suggested you'd need a 4 box just to put your wiring in lol.

It will fit, it takes less space than split bolts or Polaris connectors, which are both excellent solutions as well, although polaris are very expensive.

If you do neat work and stretch the splicing tape tight it doesn't take hardly any more space than a wire nut. I have never had any issues fitting them into the peckerhead of the hundreds of motors I have wired. Split bolts are supposed to be insulated in the same fashion. I have had issues getting them into the peckerhead, and Polaris connectors are even larger.

There is a reason the electrical standards changed in 2007

 

[rlitman]

Cant count the times ive found melted wire nuts in a motor box...

I can't count the times I've encountered wire nuts installed wrong. It's a common issue with stranded wires, worse with fine strands, and absolutely worst with a mixture of solid and stranded. Wire nuts applied correctly should be fine, but they require skill to install, whereas Wagos do not.

 

[justsam]

No to wago’s and wire nuts

Bare ring terminals appropriate sized to the wire awg and crimped on. Connect the ring terminals back to back with a machine screw and nut and tighten.

Wrap with cambic tape

Then two layers of splicing tape

And then two wraps of 3m 33 electrical tape.

Here is a source that site the NFPA and NEC

https://techtopind.net/files/download-item/pdf_documents/Lead_Connection_Recommedation_document.pdf

Wagos have less surface contact that wire nuts

Very insightful document. I was not aware of this designated procedure, not that I do a lot of internal motor configuration but good info and thanks for posting.

 

[brockmub]

What type of projects are you doing?

Soldering is totally unnecessary for building wiring and makes servicing difficult...

Sorry, I should have been more specific to the OP. I meant in general, I typically use Wago connectors a temporary solution. My background is in IT and electronics, so soldering is usually the way to go. In building wiring, you are correct to choose solutions that allow more for servicing. Wagos can get spendy.

 

[Bert_]

I use wire nuts all the time. I've seen melted Polaris connectors also. It doesn't matter what kind of connection, if you don't do it right it will fail. Split bolts are honestly the best but most don't want to spend the time. I use them on big motors.

7.5hp motor I just did with wire nuts