New(?) wire connector device in recessed lighting

[67carl]

So I'm wiring a few cans to an occupancy censor in my garage and laundry/workroom to replace the garage door opener light. When I open the box on the fixture I see these connectors (pic below). Just had to strip a little insulation and push the wire in. It locked tight and I pulled hard to see how secure - never budged.

Never seen them before. Anyone know what they are called and have they been around long? The box also has built in push clamp for the wiring. This was the easiest wiring I've ever done. Love these things!

 

[JoeFin]

3M Stab-Locks

Ya its UL approved

 

[RECox286]

If they are constructed anything like the stabs on

electrical equipment (receptacles & switches) you

can bet that they will be worthless in very humid

parts of the country, especially around the sea-

shore areas. Don't ask how I know ! We get

enough corrosion problems as it is with stab lock

receptacles and switches and even regular wire-

nuts can be problematic. The electric company

is forever replacing corroded swages at SEC goose

necks around here.

Uncle Bob

 

[MeentSS02]

Those have been around for a while.

Edit: to expand upon that, I've used quite a few of them around my house/garage, and I've not had any issues out of them. I run some pretty serious loads (~19 amps) through some of them, and they seem to be holding up just fine.

They seem to be frowned upon by the regulars around here, but I like them for ease of use and relatively compact size, especially with some of my more spaghetti-like boxes I've messed with around here. If one ever fails, I'll be sure to report back.

 

[rockwithjason]

I have made a lot of money over the years replacing those. they loosen up over time and burn up. I never use them unless the contractor I work for insists on it.

 

[Rookie2]

Wago started the wave back around 2000

 

[Doozer75]

I love the Wago Wall-Nuts (their brand name).
Ideal also makes a copy, but I just think Wago
being the originator are a bit nicer.
I have used the 8 wire versions to tie the neutrals
and tie the grounds together in a switch box before.
It was nice and compact. Try that (8 wires) with a
regular wire nut.

--Doozer

 

[67carl]

Wish I had known about these before I did all the wiring! From what I've read they have good reviews, UL approved and are fairly affordable. May order a box for future use.

"I have used the 8 wire versions to tie the neutrals and tie the grounds together in a switch box before."

Yeah, I just had to connect 6 grounds. What a pain. Pigtails and wire-nuts take up a lot of space. Would have loved to have these.

 

[walrus]

I've chased connection issues in buildings that hadn't even been put into use yet with ones made by Ideal, I wouldn't use them. Maybe 3m or Wago are different but the Ideal ones ****.

 

[Speedy Petey]

I have wired hundreds, if not thousands, of recessed lights using those and never had a problem. And they've been around quite a few years now.

Same goes for the Ideal versions. I don't use them all the time but I've used quite a few, and never one failure.

I have seen quite a few failed wire nut connections though. Many in fact. I think it all comes down to installation. If either one is not done right it will likely fail.

 

[67carl]

I've done a little more research and found, as with most things, there are those that swear they are **** and those that never had issues. They've been in use here for some time, in Europe for a longer time and don't have issues out of the norm. I also found some diagrams that show they are not constructed like the "back-stab" receptacles that have issues so maybe they learned something. There's so much information out there you just have to weed out personal opinions, look for facts and then make up your mind if these are for you.

My opinion (weed it out!) is if they put them in mass produced (and mass used) can lights, use them in large hotel construction projects (found in my research) and other similar situations they are good to go.

 

[MrMark]

I use them with the cans and fixtures they are installed on. They are better for me than trying to wire nut extremely thin stranded wire to 1 solid.

 

[Rookie2]

I used over 20,000 wago's back when they first went on the market 2000-2001 . You have to use your head just like any other new item . We had 9 men at the time , some just couldn't figure out how easy they are if you slightly diagonal cut the stranded #12. If you jamb solid wire in too hard then that could push the shell off over the years. They make receptacle stuffing a breeze.

 

[MrMark]

The ones I have had on light cans were not rated for stranded wire. If you notice the manf. tins the stranded fixture leads that go into the connector.

 

[67carl]

I used over 20,000 wago's back when they first went on the market 2000-2001 . You have to use your head just like any other new item . We had 9 men at the time , some just couldn't figure out how easy they are if you slightly diagonal cut the stranded #12. If you jamb solid wire in too hard then those could push the shell off over the years. Them make receptacle stuffing a breeze.

The ones I have had on light cans were not rated for stranded wire. If you notice the manf. tins the stranded fixture leads that go into the connector.

There is mention out there of tinning stranded wire to use with these connectors. I've seen Lever push connectors that are supposed to work with stranded wire but the literature for one manufacturer of the push in type says they work for stranded. See pic.

 

[Highbeam]

They come from the factory in Halo cans.

At first I cut them off and used wire nuts but now I use the wagos and really really like it. It's so convenient. Always tug on them.

With the can lights the connection is also in a metal box so I feel a little better.

 

[Greatbear]

For lighting and low power work they are fine. Never had any issues with Ideal or Wago branded connectors here.

 

[TechnoMayor]

I just used then when I wired my new shop lights. What a time saver!

Got them at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GAUZG8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[67carl]

I just used then when I wired my new shop lights. What a time saver!

Got them at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GAUZG8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yep, I ordered 3 boxes, each a different size. I looked locally but no dice. Wish I had them before I wired my garage and laundry room.

 

[yfzjim]

Home Depot carries the ideal branded ones in 3 and 4 conductor

 

[1/2 Cup]

I have been a sparky for a long time now and I still can,t get used to using them, call me old fashioned but I will stick to an insulated screw connector thanks.

 

[67carl]

Home Depot carries the ideal branded ones in 3 and 4 conductor

Good grief. I originally looked on HD website but didn't find them. Just went back, did a little more digging and wadda ya know, there they are. Got them cheaper and in bulk on-line anyway...

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Not only do they work well, they're code for light fixtures. At least in public schools. We have to change the over from wire nuts every time we open up an existing fixture...

Tommy

 

[67carl]

Not only do they work well, they're code for light fixtures. At least in public schools. We have to change the over from wire nuts every time we open up an existing fixture...

Tommy

What state are you in (confusion, denial or bliss are not acceptable answers)?