Best Wire Nuts Ever

Twist-on wire connectors are commonly used to join two or more wires together in fixtures or junction boxes. In some places they are called Marrettes (a trade name) but the name wire nut is most universally recognized (Wire-Nut is also a trade name).

There is heated debate among professionals about whether or not you need to twist the wires together first before spinning the wire nut over the connection.  My personal opinion is that you should twist first.

Choosing the appropriate size connector is sometimes complicated since each one is designed for a range of gauges and number of wires.  Too large or too small for the bundle and the connection isn’t tight or secure.  Picking a loose wire nut from a tool bag or bin means you really don’t know what it is designed to handle.

Why dwell on these subjects when you don’t have to worry about them at all?  Wago makes the best wire nuts you will ever use.  Once you start working with them, you’ll never want to go back. 

Back-Stab Switches and Receptacles

I have seen way too many problems with light switches and power outlets when push-in connections are used for wiring into the backs of these devices.  Known as back-stab connections, these are quicker and easier to use and are often convenient to minimize the need for pigtail splices, but this comes at the expense of reliability.

With back-stab wiring, the stripped ends of the wire are simply pushed in and an edge clamp holds it in place.  Unfortunately the surface area for wire contact is minimal and prone to