What are these wire connectors called?

[zoomzoomjeff]

I found this picture while looking for other stuff on the internet and I've never seen these type of connectors before for ac.

I'm curious about these--they look like RJ45 connectors for ethernet, or something. Do pros use these because it's quicker to wire than using wire nuts all the time? With my limited need, I'll use wire nuts, but was just curious.

 

[MTW]

Push Ons

http://www.wago.us/products/terminal-blocks-and-connectors/installation-connectors/overview/

MTW Ω

 

[75gmck25]

All of the recessed lights I've purchased have this type of connector inside the electrical junction box that is part of the housing. Each connector was prewired to the light, and also had two open slots to connect additional wires. Wiring went very quickly to daisy chain the housings together when I wanted to put four lights on one switch.

I think I may have seen these connectors at Home Depot also, but I assume they are more expensive than standard wire nuts.

Bruce

 

[ishiboo]

Those look like WAGO Wall Nuts (Pushwire). I used to use them, they are fast. I MUCH prefer the lever nuts.

Pros do not usually use those as they "don't trust them". Pros also usually don't label lines coming into a box like that, nor would they tape a light switch like that

 

[Andybull]

I'm using Ideal In-Sure push in wire connectors for my T-12 to T-8 lighting project. We have over 360, 2'x4', 4 lamp light fixtures in my building and they definitely save me time. We are using a total of eight per lamp.

 

[FordsnFishin]

You can buy them by the box or you can find them in store bought fixtures. I'm a union electrician and its becoming a pretty common practice that we always cut them out of a fixture and use a wirenut instead. Have heard people having alot of problems with them. So i've never even attempted to use them. A good old wirenut and some 33 has yet to fail me!

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

I've seen them in several places, both in use and for sale. If you look at them closely, there isn't a lot of actual physical contact between the conductor and the blade which holds the wire. I've never used them, it seems like they would be prone to intermittent circuit interruptions as they age and the wire surface oxidizes.

Look at one with a couple of wires inserted and compare the contact area to the same two wires twisted together, and with a wire nut applied.

They are fairly new on the market, it will be interesting to see how they hold up over time.




.

 

[rsieracki]

on a side note... AVOID the cheap switches like shown in the picture and buy SPEC Grade (back CLAMP not stab for stranded wire)... with solid wire like the NM/Romex has a reg screw is fine just don't use the bottom shelf .79 garbage...i did and i was sorry they don't last. if you need more than a few but the 10 pack there usually 15-19 dollars for a 10 pack of switches or receptacles... or 1.50-1.99 each vs 3-9 each for spec receptacles or switches... its money well spent. i like the wago levernuts also but only see the value in the price of them (like .50-1.00 each) if the connection has 4 or more conductors...or if I'm wiring in stages and will be adding another wire to the connection later (like in my recent home rewire) 3 or less wires and I use a wire nut.

 

[Trey T]

I was in the mobile security business for about 5-6yrs and these types of stuff that allow people to do the job faster are discourage by many techs. There's no rhymns or reasons but I fully support these types of things.

Looks like installed by an OCD or a woman.

 

[Mustang51js]

I don't personally use them unless they come with the light, they work great for recessed lights but I wouldn't trust them with anything that has high amps,like if that picture is for a gfi in a bathroom,with a hair dyer over time I believe would melt those up or make a loose connection,especially on the nuetral. They work well with lights because there's usually not a heavy load. But maybe in a few years once they make them better I will try them more

 

[ishiboo]

I don't personally use them unless they come with the light, they work great for recessed lights but I wouldn't trust them with anything that has high amps,like if that picture is for a gfi in a bathroom,with a hair dyer over time I believe would melt those up or make a loose connection,especially on the nuetral. They work well with lights because there's usually not a heavy load. But maybe in a few years once they make them better I will try them more

I am curious why years of testing, experience and a UL listing rating of 20A makes you think they're incapable of "high amps"?

These have been out for a long time... the better version is the lever nuts. The even better version are the compact lever nut replacements that are clear.

 

[Hornman]

Looks like installed by an OCD or a woman.

Or an Instructor.

 

[Dagny]

remind me too much of backstabed.

 

[Chevy-SS]

I am curious why years of testing, experience and a UL listing rating of 20A makes you think they're incapable of "high amps"?

These have been out for a long time... the better version is the lever nuts. The even better version are the compact lever nut replacements that are clear.

Would you use these if you were wiring up a new garage, where you had a nice little 110v MIG welder that you used all the time??????

I wouldn't. But then again, what do I know????

-

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Every one of those Wagos except for the one for the EGCs, is unnecessary in this picture. Theres 3 extra wires in there that really arent needed...

Those look like WAGO Wall Nuts (Pushwire). I used to use them, they are fast. I MUCH prefer the lever nuts.

Pros do not usually use those as they "don't trust them". Pros also usually don't label lines coming into a box like that, nor would they tape a light switch like that

I agree with everything but this. When i was an apprentice I worked with several foremans who taped switches and outlets in metal boxes to prevent them from arcing on the box. It doesnt hurt anything. I liked the idea and i do it myself ever since then...

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

A good old wirenut and some 33 has yet to fail me!

What is 33?

 

[cnk]

What is 33?

3M electrical tape

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

 

[Captain America]

Super 33

 

[James-W]

I have heard those connectors do meet code.

 

[Mustang51js]

I am curious why years of testing, experience and a UL listing rating of 20A makes you think they're incapable of "high amps"?

These have been out for a long time... the better version is the lever nuts. The even better version are the compact lever nut replacements that are clear.

To me they don't seem like they make a good connection,it doesn't take much to pull a wire out. That's just my opinion,plus the price of them is another factor,they don't save that much time for the cost overall

 

[coldh2o]

Would you use these if you were wiring up a new garage, where you had a nice little 110v MIG welder that you used all the time??????

I wouldn't. But then again, what do I know????

-

In all seriousness, no offence intended, what do you know? Do you have some experience with these connectors that could be shared to caution us all? I don't, so I'd like to learn - but I tend toward "I am curious why years of testing, experience and a UL listing rating of 20A makes you think they're incapable of "high amps"?"

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Those look like WAGO Wall Nuts (Pushwire). I used to use them, they are fast. I MUCH prefer the lever nuts.

Pros do not usually use those as they "don't trust them". Pros also usually don't label lines coming into a box like that, nor would they tape a light switch like that

Most electricians I know say they will not use them because they have had problems with them. All the "Pros" i know tape switches and recepts. Not code, just courtesy...

Tommy

 

[yeldogt]

My old electrician labeled wires using the empty jacket and a sharpie -- His panels were a work of art .. he was so neat .. but still quick. He also liked to tape the switches.

Personally I don't like the push-in back feed outlets -- but the lever version of those connectors really grip.

 

[dragonballz]

My father is a union electrician and he also tapes switches.

 

[checkthisout]

I used those on my house about 13 years ago after an industrial electrician raved about them.

No problems from them yet. I can't see why they would ever be a problem unless they aren't properly installed I.E. the wires aren't pushed into them far enough.

They work good in a situation where enough wire wasn't left in the box. You just push that on instead of having to worry about getting a wire nut on there.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Every one of those Wagos except for the one for the EGCs, is unnecessary in this picture. Theres 3 extra wires in there that really arent needed...

[/b]

I agree with everything but this. When i was an apprentice I worked with several foremans who taped switches and outlets in metal boxes to prevent them from arcing on the box. It doesnt hurt anything. I liked the idea and i do it myself ever since then...

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

To me they don't seem like they make a good connection,it doesn't take much to pull a wire out. That's just my opinion,plus the price of them is another factor,they don't save that much time for the cost overall

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Most electricians I know say they will not use them because they have had problems with them. All the "Pros" i know tape switches and recepts. Not code, just courtesy...

Tommy

 

[MushCreek]

I hope they connect better than backstab outlets and switches. Our old house in FL had all backstabs, and they got glitchy, losing contact as the copper oxidized in the humid air. You could wiggle it and regain contact, along with little electrical noises. I'm sure they would have given AFIC's fits.

 

[Showkey]

Gee.........if WAGO connectors and others like them have all these problems and they were real and true issues ........you would think they would be forced out of the market.........and insurance claims and product liability issues would drive them out of existence ???????

Then....... not mention UL and all the other testers and certifications would have some concern and warnings ....????

 

[67carl]

Gee.........if WAGO connectors and others like them have all these problems and they were real and true issues ........you would think they would be forced out of the market.........and insurance claims and product liability issues would drive them out of existence ???????

Then....... not mention UL and all the other testers and certifications would have some concern and warnings ....????

^This. PEX was the devil when it came out and there were all kinds (still are) anecdotal stories about how bad it is and how "a plumber friend of mine says he would never use that junk", etc, etc... (I think most of that was from plumbers unions worried that running pipe would be so much easier and faster it would hurt their business). Just like these Wago style connectors, a lot of anecdotal comments but no hard evidence that they are bad. But there is UL testing and approval that they work, are safe and are in widespread use.

I get from a financial standpoint that an electrician may not want to use these. If that's what you do every day then using wire nuts and having a lot of 12/2 in a box is no big deal. But for an average Joe who doesn't do this everyday, speaking from my perspective, these little connectors are the way to go.

 

[Mustang51js]

You can't really go by the ul testing,you have things like receptacles that catch fire and even a loose wirenut,it doesn't get blamed directly. But my main reason for not using is the cost like you said. I wouldn't save much time using them,but I do carry a bag just in case I might find something that I have to use one.

 

[Justanoldguy]

metal boxes to prevent them from arcing on the box.

Metal boxes are outlawed in NZ now. Plastic only now.

 

[Norcal]

Metal boxes are outlawed in NZ now. Plastic only now.

I used to use plastic, but have reverted to metal, much better IMO.

 

[reader2580]

Metal boxes are outlawed in NZ now. Plastic only now.

What is the rationale for outlawing metal boxes?

 

[checkthisout]

I used to use plastic, but have reverted to metal, much better IMO.

Wha?

Why?

 

[Justanoldguy]

What is the rationale for outlawing metal boxes?

No idea.
I'm not a lawmaker, just an abider...

 

[unslow1]

I was taught in school to tape also. I've only worked with 4 other electricians and everyone of them taped also. The only time I've seen labeling is when there are many wires or you have to close up something and there are many wires in the box. An example would be multiple switches in a bathroom with 2 lights, fan and heater. Had to run the wires then they drywalled before the switches went in. I also labeled one that I just ran the wiring in stud walls and left it for a homeowner to finish.