What Wire Connector is the Best? Wire Nut VS Wago TESTED
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- Опубликовано: 15 май 2024
- Are Wagos Safe? I OVERLOADED them, cooked them & pulled them out. Did they survive? Are Wire Nuts better? See the results & how I tested them to address all the debates & myths about them.
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The key difference, is the price right
@@Simcore999 If the features matched yes, but the Wago gives a lot more and if you are buying 10,000 of them I guess it adds up but for repair and home work the difference is insignificant.
@@SilverCymbal Yes, I would use the wago for medium length projects and for short term the other with souder for long term!
@@SilverCymbal I don't see them replacing the wire nut for this reason alone.. They'll never be cheaper. But if somebody screwed up and ordered stranded wire they're awesome 😂
When you pre-twisted the wire nut I believe a large amount of the current and heat was bypassing the wire nut joint. Try that same test without pre-twisting the wire like the instructions state please.
I've been an electrician for almost 4 decades. Industrial, commercial & residential. I'm just an old guy with an opinion, but I've seen a lot. I've opened many j boxes, troubleshot tons of circuit failures, and have seen hundreds of wire nut failures. Here's my opinion, do what you want with it. Due to the thermal expansion and contraction cycles present in electrical systems, over time wire nuts work their way loose and even fall off. I used to blame the previous electrician for not tightening the nuts, but eventually realized it's the wire nut at fault. A twisted splice inside a box is so rigid that it puts more strain on the connection, prohibiting this natural movement. The connection is the weak link, hence the failure point. I use the push in versions exclusively as I believe that the levers could be accidentally popped open when packing the j box. These spring loaded connectors don't loosen up, allow the conductors to swivel and flex easily within the box, eliminating the tension on the wires. You can feel the difference when packing the box too, so much easier, no stress on the conductors. These are not the same as the push in connections on cheap 50 cent receptacles, those are junk and should never be used under any circumstances! I have used WAGO products in the worst industrial chemical processing environments, along with residential applications, since 1994. They hold up better than anything else. I was extremely reluctant and skeptical early on as to their durability, as wire nuts were the gold standard in a trade with rigid beliefs of what works and what doesn't. Now I use them in every application that I can, with no hesitation whatsoever. I keep in touch with my customers, no callbacks ever. I am not an electrical engineer, I just play one in real life!
I really appreciate you sharing this and I have also opened many boxes and had the same experience. It's a terrible feeling when a wirenut is sitting there loose or on the bottom of the box. Thanks for sharing your real life experience.
Just dealing with my own personal electrical issues in 1960s built Idaho houses, I've discovered loose wire nuts in light fixtures and behind outlets. Never was sure if they're meant to be one time use devices, as in after the first twist on and back off they're garbage not to be used again, but they sure seem to be exactly that. I much prefer the Wago style connectors after being introduced to them by a master electrician friend. They grip solid and braided wires of various gauges way better than stupid ass wire nuts ever do for me, brand new or not.
Thank you Dave Nag. Even though I'm not an electrician I have wired a few houses, wired a barn that we converted to a clubhouse, wired some additions on mobile homes, replaced breaker panels etc. I don't have a lot of experience but I have some and I have also discovered loose or fallen off wire nuts while doing electrical renovations. I always wondered why that was the case. Thank you for saying stuff no one else seems to be willing to talk about. I just learned about the WAGO connectors and I think they are awesome. If I have to do any electrical work in the future I'm going to use them.
I'm tempted to disagree on the thermal expansion theory. But unlike others with stronger opinions, I've come to realize every electrician has worked their own careers full of unique experiences. What I have seen, very often, are nuts loosened due to vibrations--whether from their own current or from an external source. My opinion on thermal expansion is that it shouldn't be a problem for correctly sized wire nuts securing leads with appropriate slack (yet another reason to "always leave an extra loop"). My experience comes from only 5 years in a prior career as millwright--maintaining mostly high-voltage 3-phase circuits. Due to a near daily exchange of various motors to/from across the plant, wire nuts were our best option.
That said, I personally do not like wire nuts. My opinion of them is not terribly different than of other splices. Except that the exposed bottoms are a fire risk, in my view. When I have no better option than to use nuts, I always wrap a strip of electrical tap around the bottoms to guard against foreign objects making their way inside.
Across the board, and aside from that one personal issue with nuts... I have never really known a "perfect" splice. The best way to compare them is by their contexts. The correct splice for a given situation is always the best splice. Whenever possible and rational, I solder my splices.
Thank you
Licensed electrician here (31 years of experience), and I love the Wagos! They’re a little expensive compared to wire nuts but certainly have their place in my tool pouch.
If I were an electrician, I think the extra $$ would be worth it for me to not have to use wire nuts. Still, you could always try to upcharge the customer by telling them they're getting the proper connectors in their home... LOL
....and faster to finish great job.
Those wagos are 25 cents a piece. If this saves you 18 seconds of time it's already cheaper than free wirenuts would be.
@@ChristophPech Absolutely.
Deez nuts
Wirenuts... that’s really nuts... Thankfully not allowed in Germany... Wago is really good stuff!
If they are allowed in Germany they have to be good😂
EU BE LIKE
get away with cheap crao get real working producst...
We don't build just wood houses we build for eternety
@@juliushollmann9938 Well, WAGO is a german company XD
@@juliushollmann9938 He said they are NOT allowed in Germany.
@@IshIKoara You got it wrong: Wirenuts are not allowed here (in Germany).
We used screw terminals in our junction boxes. They fell out of favor decades ago because spring loaded connectors (like Wago 273) proofed to be better.
You have every tester known to man. I have tester envy.
I buy almost all of it used that tester has stickers on it for the jet propulsion lab so who knows what it's life was before.
Don’t be testy now
UK spark here, terminal block connector used to be the standard here but wagos have pretty much made the terminal block connectors obsolete
Wrapped in some bodge tape😂
They're a lot cheaper though and work just fine.
@@planespeaking maybe cheaper but then they are screw terminals which loosen over time. Hard to fit 3 wires in a terminal and when you put bodge tape on it and you come back to add another cable you basically have to cut the wires because it’s so hard to take the tape off. And it is a bodge.
If you want to do more. It would be interesting to see how the Amazon/Ebay knockoffs fair against the Wagos.
Those things are scary! Good idea though for a video. I appreciate it.
@@SilverCymbal I'd like to see that video too.
@@SilverCymbal If you do that test , could you include Ideal, sold at HD, Lowes ? I had half a house rewired with the home depot ones before I started to see the "experts" recommend staying away.
@@gpadog I will check those ones, I really have not been a fan of any push in only connectors (wago or ideal) mostly because they are a pain to remove and they don't work with stranded well at all. The Wago 221 lever models shown are what makes them great. Easy connections, disconnections and work with mixed wire, solid stranded, etc. But I plan to run some tests on many other brands and models soon.
This guy did the older style ones. ruclips.net/video/bP0qHyVAymU/видео.html
at 3:00 wouldn’t a lot of current be passing through without ever reaching the wire nut, since the unsheathed wires start connecting below it? Why go so easy on the wire nut, I wanted to see it fry. :)
I will be re-looking at that possibility. Maybe I did go too easy on the nut!
I had a picture somewhere that is of a wirenut that got melted off a circuit where the plumber was running a "Mule Threader". The wires had melted in such a way that the wirenut was in series with the wire in the circuit. We don't know how long it was running that way before the breaker tripped.
You twisted it so much before the wire nut it didn't need a wire nut!
@@SilverCymbal so, first of all, @BLKSG6 was just making a valid point, and not being critical. Still, so many people would have been offended and gotten defensive, but you took it in stride as the suggestive comment that it was clearly meant to be. And it sounds like this might even become a followup video, and that I'd like to see!
Yes, just a twist where the nut goes on and spread wires slightly apart below that. Would be interesting to see.
3:10 You're using uninsulated wire. When the're twisted like that and contacting so far down (wich wouldn't even be possible with insulated wires) a lot of currennt can flow through the contact point in the twist, completly circumventing the nut.
Exactly what I came down to post. It's not a fair test.
Yet, that would be an argument against the twist nut connection, no, or you're thinking that the twist cap will be able to withstand higher temps than the wago?
@@Quentyn73 it's just not representative of how to nut would be used IRL. Copper should not be showing outside of the nut. Bare Copper only i side the nut.
@@Quentyn73 All they are saying is that the nut would probably have gotten hotter that the 170 if the connection was only in the nut as it would have been if the wires were insulated. I'd guess the wago would still have been hotter but I'd assume the gap would have narrowed.
Not that it matters for practice purposes as they both proved they can operate beyond their rating (for at least a little while).
Excellent analysis!
I gladly realized that Americans start using WAGOs instead of those horrible wire nuts. Appreciate it!
Greetings from Germany!
Amerikanische Elektro-Installation erinnert mich an die weltbekannte albanische Luxus-Automobilindustrie
Even using just 110 volts causes the current to double compared to the 230 volts used in most countries. The US are so far behind in many respects. Using imperial units for instance.
The chance electric sets fire up and kill u is much higher than it go through ur body and kill u. 110v is just a fking dumb idea usa is still believing
US Americans measure in everything but the SI system.... I hope for your best that finally the first generation learns what a Scientific Unit with easy to convert factors is. But it will take 2 or maybe 3 generations until everyone understands the advantages and also applies them. Especially with temperatures you can already see a clear advantage. When I see the °F, I could puke.
I call horseshit!.. Read my previous reply
Been using Wago connectors for years in industrial environments and they are flawless. One great advantage is to successfully join wires of drastically different gauges. Some sensors and actuators have pigtails not terminal blocks. If the wiring standard from the control panel is #14 AWG and the sensor has a #20 AWG pigtail, twisting together is difficult but using a Wago makes life simple.
Thank you for sharing this, I didn't go into this much but its awesome to be able to connect such different sizes safely with these. I appreciate you sharing your actual real word experience, you can see many others are terrified of the unknown!
I work for West Fraser as an industrial electrician and West Fraser does not allow the use of Wagos. They did for a while but ran into problems with them. Why might you ask. Saw dust it gets in everything and the Wagos do not hold up as well. They tend to get stuck on the wire.
@@shawskeebennett1440 yes saw dust gets into wire nuts as well. The difference because wire nuts have no moving parts it doesn't seize them up the same.
@@johnh8546 It sounds like you should've been using lugs or something else better suited to the environment. This isn't a fault caused by the connector. It sounds like it was an individualized learning experience for a specific niche business.
I have a sneaking suspicion that most if not all people with complaints only have experience with knock-offs.
100% agree with you. The knockoffs are horrible.
that and people can be pretty dumb, I had some guy fussing about them trying to jam 20awg stranded wire in some of the non levered connectors meant for 14awg romex "these things suck I will never buy them" sigh
Especially the one swho think Wagos are weak. The amount of time I've caught myself with those spring loaded clips and "ouch" - once it's locked, they're going nowhere
Nothing beats the wago when you've got to join stranded wire with solid. I'd say that's the main advantage over a wire nut. Also much easier when you need to test. When adding a branch to an existing circuit you don't have to struggle with twisted up wire or cut and re strip. Not to mention all the hand twisting and tightening you won't have to do.
100% agree, every time I use these *and I have been for almost 10 years) I am still amazed at how great these are.
There are even other kind of wagos for plain solid wires. Without lever. Just fw/rev turn the connector and pull the chosen wire at the same time to release or push it in to make the connection. Dont know if they're available for the murrican market in AWG.
But on this side of the pond they're available in metric 0,75sq. mm - 10sq. mm
Even smaller then the 221 but ofc can't take stranded wires. 2-3-5-8-16 holes available for the (over here) standard 0,75 - 2,5mm2 version. Dont know about the bigger ones but saw upto 3 hole ones in 6-10mm2 version.
I’ve switched to these and have used them for several projects in my home. They are easy to use and give me a higher sense of security over wire nuts, as I too, have had issues with wires in wire nuts not getting properly twisted. Thanks for the video!
I just started using the Wagos. I attribute the resistance to people resisting change. Some people that have been around usually resist new technology and just bash it instead of giving it a chance. I work in the Technology field and see it everyday.
100% agree, I know without a doubt the most of the haters here have never used a Wago 221. I am NOT in favor of all push type connectors, not even Wagos push in only models. The 221/222 series are the best thing they came up with hands down.
I attribute the resistance to less conductor contact area.
Software engineer here. Agreed. Once I tried Wago, I dumped all of my wire nuts and Ideal push-ins where they belong... In the trash.
@@HeWhoIsWhoHeIs and away we go!
I'm already sick and tired of these (senile) people!
We would still be living in mud houses with straw roofs and using washboards, if it was up to them smh
As an electrician of forty years I'm impressed with the Wagos after seeing this test. I would like to see the same test on non-Wago brand type connectors, such as the type that come with recessed light fixtures. They are stab-ins with no levers.
Electrician of 16 years.. I fear WAGO's abilities with amperage draw, and maintaining pressure on the connection over time. The lever type WAGO's do seem to resolve this issue. But this test gave me a new found respect for WAGO's. I wonder if twisted wire diminishes the abilities of the WAGO. Great video though. I will be sharing it.
I love Wagos. I'm through with push ins and wire nuts.
@@im2yys4u81 push in's are also wago's.. they just aren't the lever type.
My issue with wago's, is that it's not always possible to just add a wire, when needed. Like when you have a 2 port wago, and then need a 3 or 4 port wago. Now you've bought 2 wago's, when you would have been fine with 1 wirenut.
@@ElkStirrinTheHoney I bought an assortment online. Came with 2's, 3's and 4's. Sooner or later you'll find a use for the 2 port. I understand what you're saying, but me personally I'd rather buy what I need. Worst case scenario you end up with some strays, but sooner or later you'll use them.
I've spoken to people who *thought* the wago could come undone too easily, it turned out they were not opening the lever fully to insert the wire, they thought it only opened to about 45 degrees ...
Wow! That is crazy! Yes in that situation the connection would not be good!
The clear wago allows visual inspection, the wire nut does not.
Morons that should be working at Amazon NOT doing electrical installation
This is reminding me of Project Farm, great video!!
Now that is a compliment but he is a whole other level but maybe someday! Thanks again
@@SilverCymbal You'll get there! You just need 1.3m more subs - just give it some time and more great videos like this! :-)
Yep no joke this + project farm are my go to channels lately
Collaboration time!
@@TheMattThompson that would be cool!
Because of the Wago 221 connectors, it makes electrician work just a little bit more fun and easier. I truly love those connectors. I wouldn’t go for anything else because of their ease of use.
Whenever I buy electrician stuff, if they have the 221’s, I always prefer those. And the 222 by the way is also a very good one, but they’re a little bit bulkier, So I prefer the 221’s always!
What an outstanding video! I've been using Wago nuts for my home remodel projects, mainly for pigtails for my GFCI outlets to isolate them from downstream outlets. Loved seeing them hold up to these extremes.
Great video! It's nice to see these being put through their paces. There are so many conflicting opinions but these do seem to hold up very well.
Been using the Wagos for a few years now. Absolutely love them. They're great when connecting wires above your head. Just easier for me to group the wires together. Also very convenient when the person before you cuts the wire in the junction box too short and it's difficult to access the wire
You bet! and nothing worse than trying to get 3 or 4 twelve GA wires all lined up to wrestle a wire nut on!
@@HobbyOrganist This
And if you need to modify something you can just undo and redo everything without having to cut a single wire.
tbh if you undo a wirenut the cleanest and best way is to cut off the heavily twisted part of the wire before using a wirenut on it again. After a few modifications your wires will become too short.
I like your load tester; brought back a lot of memories. I bought one of those (used) for a calibration lab I worked for many years ago. Never saw another one like it before or after.
You mentioned it and you should test it as well, pre twisted conductors vs twisted with the nut.
Just found your channel today an am looking forward to many more great videos like this one!
Iappreciate your detail in explaining these. I’ve used wire nuts for years. I can see benefit for these especially in fixtures where it is a light fixture only or a ceiling fan. Thanks for the time to demonstrate these.
I recently purchased some of these WAGOs ( before I saw this video) and they’re great. I can’t see ever going back to wire nuts again. BTW, mine are being used on a 30 amp circuit for a 5Kw unit/garage heater.
WAGO also make a 30A rated version for up to 6mm^^2 wire
Great video. I'd like to see a follow up with the wire nut on insulated wire, where the connection is entirely in the last 3/4" or so vs the 3" of twist in the bare wire we saw here. Maybe twisted vs untwisted too.
It is great to see a proper fair test, thank you for the excellent video!
Thanks so much! This test was fantastic! I plan to start using Wago Lever Nuts from now on. Your test confirmed my decision. Thanks again.
I have to admit when you posted these connectors in your other vid I thought hmmm time will tell. But after watching this very informational video I am sold. Congrats on the growth of your channel by the way. This could be the viral video haha.
I appreciate that thank you
After watching Sparky Channel, he totally sold me on the Wagos and that's the only thing I use in my home.
Time allready did tell. WAGO connectors have been used for decades all over the world especially in Europe.
I use them since the late 80th
Well that answered every question I have. Great info as always!
That's really the nicest compliment I can get, glad you like it.
This is the first video I've found after an hour of searching that does an analytical comparison of the connectors instead of anecdotal evidence. I like your setup and would be curious to see the test expanded (ie. test multiple of each style and see if results are consistent). Another test point could be the resistance of the connection (directly correlated to heat).
Are the inline connector by wagu good for extending wires? I have a outdoor outlet that needs to move 8". The wires reach it through 1/2" conduit. I intended to cut the conduit/wires in the middle, add 8" of conduit/wire, connect that new 8" section with either crimp/shrink connectors on both sides. Now I'm envisioning using the inline connectors, in a staggered formation with the other wires, so that they all fit in the the narrow conduit. The black sleeves that you shrink on with a hair dryer looked like the best plan when space was an issue, but the inline connectors in a staggered formation look like you get a better, easier connection.
Just seeing you pre twisting the wire nuts, makes me want to use the wago.
Good vid, I just have a single reservation, the cables were pretwisted well outside of the wire nut, at least 1”, to the point that the current between the wires flows without going much through the wire nut, wich make the contact area much bigger and dissipating the heat much better. Have you left the cables insulated out side the wirenut, as in real use, the outcome might’ve been different.
Excellent point.
Most people twisting wires (ground wires especially) aren't trying to make a twist that fits inside the nut perfectly. I agree that it's not exactly an apples to apples comparison, but it does seem realistic.
Noticed that, too. ALL of the current in the Wago test had to go through the connector. Very impressive---I'll order some of these connectors now.
@@DjDuncman Ground wires don't apply to what we're testing here, though. You want this test to be as if it's the live wire, so no -- it's actually not realistic.
@@DrewSoucy22 It's the same gauge wire, so current flow/capacity is effectively the same and is limited by the wire gauge, not the twist. Any difference with ground wire vs an insulated wire is trivial at best. A properly twisted pair of wires doesn't need the wire nut for the circuit to function. The wire nut just ensures the wires don't untwist while also insulating the ends. Properly done, the wire nut isn't even part of the current path, while the Wago is part of the current path. Not realistic? Fine, it's realistic enough though.
Fantastic job, great to see these work as I have wanted to try them but just was not sure about them.
Great video, thank you!! Answered pretty much every question I had about the Wago connectors! 👍🏻🥃
I love Wago lever connectors. I discovered them about a year ago, and now it's the only thing I use. What I have noticed is that the clamps sometimes come up a little bit, so what I do is wrap the Wago with a 1/2" piece of color coordinated electrical tape (black tape for hot, white tape for neutral, green tape for ground)v to lock the clamps closed. I haven't had a single issue, and I've used probably over a hundred of them in my house. I definitely recommend them.
Great info...but would of liked to see pull test on the wire cap !
My thoughts exactly that’s the only thing I wanted to know
The wire nut, when applied correctly, should be fine for about 50-100 pounds, which is meaningless since you should never have wire supporting a load in the first place
Gr8, and timely, video. I recently came aware of these (wago) connectors while getting ready to replace my smoke detectors throughout my home. the new style "final mile" electrical connectors require my removal of old and reconnect of new in order to complete the task. I randomly noticed these units as a replacement to wire nuts (of which I've used throughout my life), so I bought a 100 pack off of amazon. I too, was somewhat curious as to their viability, even though I'd made the decision to "try n see" how they would perform. I can honestly say that since seeing this video (and reviewing some comments from electricians) that I'm moving full steam ahead on this project with full confidence. thank you all......... oh, and I'll be using them on my next project (workshop/storage building) over the remainder of this year.....
Another german here.
Just want to point out that the WAGOs with levers are usually used for temporary connections. Not that it is or isn't code but these are expensive in contrast to the regular ones.
I worked for a company that was very reluctant to switch to push connectors. Oh boy, the stories of burning server rooms and what not. But for 20 years now, they are a staple in the field.
We got them now almost everywhere. RCBOs, outlets, switches and whatnot. It made everything a lot safer and faster to build.
All the oldschool connectors had the 3+ wire flaw. Any movement, vibration, thermal cycling could work screw terminal loose with 3+ wires in them. So in training we were told to tighten the screw, twist and work the wire and then tighten it again so that the wires would fall into a stable position.
Well, some folks did't think it was important, or worked against the clock and got sloppy.
What i wanna say is that i believe these connectors are more idiot proof. Should an idiot ever become an electrician? Hell no! Will there be idiot electricians? Yea, sadly. And there is also the kind that is like "what? 45 bucks/h, i do it myself, youtube and wikipedia is all i need"
So if that at least contributes to families not burning due to stupidity, i'm down.
Cheers.
One big mistake in this comparison: in the overload test, the Wago connector was carrying all of the current. For the wire nut, you pre-twisted the wires, and they were touching below the wire nut...thus current was being passed between the wires where they were in contact instead of all of the current passing through the wire nut. Otherwise, you would have likely seen higher temps at the wire nut during maximum overload.
That was my first thought. He literally says he's going to hear shit if he doesn't twist them and then proceeds to twist to a degree that is not possible reducing the overall resistance.
@Craig Dendy I took his statement to mean the amount of twisting he did was far more than a typical example. So, real world would be stripped insulation of 7/8" or so of a current carrying conductor twisted together and capped with the nut. In the video they guy took ground wires, which means unlimited conductor length (vs 7/8" stripped) which means more wire is in contact and not the same as the real world use. Instead of saying "instead of all of the current passing through the wire nut" he should have said "instead of all of the current passing through the conductor only under the wire nut"
@Craig Dendy Sorry dude, these connectors are UL listed to UL 468C "Splicing Wire Connectors", the exact same standard used to certify wire nuts. The testing these go through is far more rigorous than the tests shown in this video, and no, they don't wear out over time.
I used wagos for one main reason. They’re rated for 20 amps, and they use a spring to hold the connection constant through temperature and humidity changes.
I don’t worry about a wire slipping out of a wago, it’s positively locked when the wire is in place proper
I love them.
Makes you wonder if the jackass that claims to be able to "flick them off with his finger" is either just a loudmouthed jackass, or doesn't know how to connect a wire. I'm sure they're VERY easy to flick off if it fails to make a connection. LOL
Thanks . I have had wires disconnect using wire nuts in tight and multi wire applications so I use these in those applications and between stranded and solid wire installing light fixtures.
Great job on the testing, very well done !!
LOL! Leave it to the Silver Cymbal to have the capability to run these tests and silence the doubters. I think the veteran electricians just like staying old school, which is perfectly cool. Change is sometimes hard to accept. Thanks for the great info as usual!🤩
I really appreciate it, I love how nice and calm everything looks on video. This one was very challenging to get set up but I really wanted to see it for myself just as much to share with all of you.
Sometimes change depends on Code Laws, though I admit these look better than the old nuts.
Nice solid test! Good to know the absolute facts of using these.
I am almost sold on these. I understand expansion and contraction. Seems like under normal loads Wago is a good choice. I have seen many wires work loose even under normal loads. I still think more connection area would be better BUT you have tested and shown these are much easier to work with. Thanks for the follow up tests!
Wow. That's some impressive testing. Much respect to you sir. Thanks again for all the info you share
Good video. The biggest problem I foresee with the wago connectors is the same as the problem I have seen with the back stab connection used on many receptacles and switches. The problem I have found over the years is that with circuits that have higher current flow and are cycled frequently the blades that hold the wire in theses type devices tend to weaken due to the heating and cooling effect of the use cycle. This heating and coiling effect apparently changes the molecular structure of the metal causing a lose of tension on the wire. I know, a lot of people say I am just and old school guy, but I say if it ain’t broke why change it. First I must say I have never used the back stab connectors in my 45 to 50 years as an electrician. I have changed a lot of receptacles and switches over the years however. I can honestly say I have never in all those years went back to a job I did to replace a switch or receptacle because of a loose connection. But if people choose to use them, it is good job security for electricians, but not me I am retired.
Do not compare crap backstab receptables with Wago products!
I used the wago today for the very first time. It was crazy easy to use and I love that I could see the wire to make sure it was all the way seated properly. I am a fan!!
They also have testing ports on them, so you can stick your multimeter probe right in and test for voltage without disconnecting. (Look for the port, you'll find it!) I hope someone told you about that.
Excellent info. Thanks for testing & sharing. Very helpful.
New sub. I just bought an LED recessed lighting kit that used these Wago push-in connectors. Man, I had to push like crazy to seat them all the way into the connector but once in there was no way I could pull it out. I was concerned about overheating if there was a short or too many amps and this answered that question in spades. Great video.
i didn’t see what the pullout strength would have been with the wire nut (especially when the conductors are NOT pre-twisted). Would it have held tighter or less than the Wago. Otherwise, many thanks for putting this demonstration together for us.
If you are applying them correctly, they would hold on tighter when not pretwisting the wires because the wires will twist as you tighten the connector and it all gets super tight.
I would put money on needing over 100 lbs of force to pull off the wire nut, and then the wires would still most likely still be connected.
@@russellhaskett6830 So? Properly installed, the wires should be secured with a strain relief connection. The wire connection -- whether secured with wire nut or a Wago style connector -- is not supposed to be bearing weight. This is a case where, once something is sufficient, more isn't any better.
@@DKWalser Yeah I don't get where people are coming from with that argument, if the wired are under tension you fucked up and have no place playing with electricity.
@@russellhaskett6830 Your comment needs an asterisk at the end of it: *Assuming the wire nut has been correctly applied
Test 4: we set our test home on fire to see how the connectors held up...
House burned down but the connector was still good lol
LMAO 🤣
I really loved how through your testing was. I was taught the same kind of thinking in Army aviation and later automotive racing. It is not enough to say, "Meh it will work." You in those settings need to KNOW it will work and how well it will work to a certain point before failing.
After watching this video I ordered a free sample, but then decided I am just ordering a multi starter kit from amazon. I will be installing some smart switches this weekend so I am excited to see how they do. I wish they made a nice version of this for automotive use. I can think of a couple places where I could safely use them. I might try it.
I'm not a homeowner, or in the market for lawnmower, or interested in doing electrical work BUT damn it...I watch every vid with interest! You make such informative videos. I would watch you do car reviews or gaming tutorials. Keep up the great work.
Tests were fair & well done. Thank you for the info. Nothing you found changed my mind. I'll use the Wago connectors.
Yes good job, however I would have liked to see the wire nut twisted as it would be in the field, in this it was twisted well below/outside the wire nut. All the connectivity and thus the heat should have happened within the wire nut, and none before it. I suspect the wire nut would have heated up further. Another thing I would have liked to see is multiple connections as is common in a circuit. Something like 3 or 4 of each in series, representing down stream circuits using the respective connectors, and perhaps a combo of wire nuts and Wago's and see which one gets hotter.
Used these types of connectors (Ideal) in commercial applications, for years, and have never had a problem
Good tests and video, thanks. One small observation, when you pretwist the wires together before inserting them into the twist nut, you are allowing the current to pass between the conductors outside of the twist nut, so it is not seeing the full load of the current.
I wish I was your neighbor. "I wonder if..." would lead to some great driveway fun. I enjoy that you rise to the challenge.
We have been using these kind of connectors for decades here in Europe. I honestly couldn't imagine messing around with these wire nuts and having to twist the wires first. By the way: The series 221 connectors come in two sizes and ratings. The bigger ones are capable of taking up to 10 AWG wire and 32 Amps.
Only the in-experienced will pre-twist the wire for wire-nuts, Not at all necessary and not recommended by the manf.
In germany we only use Wago's, these wirenuts are pretty damn sketchy in my opinion.
I don't like wire nuts, but they actually work fine when used correctly. They're annoying and outdated, but not hazardous.
Hi, when you tested the heat dissipation on the wire nut you twisted the non insulated wire (2:59) on a longer surface than normally would be if it was an insulated wire, the increased contact surface between the wires lowered the resistance and the result is a lower temperature at the wire nut,
Wow this is a great video! Thank you so much for sharing it with me. After watching this, I know what I suspected in the first place, it was most definitely bad installation that caused the failures I have seen. Thank you again
Great explanation. I never had any doubts about Wago. Always looked highly superior.
4:38 only in Mass where you'll wear t-shirt and shorts outside when there's snow out LOL
Hehehe you got that right! We are definitely insane here.
Alaskan here to confirm this statement is in fact false ;)
@@SilverCymbal Amen my baystate brother!
Yeah ok so you've never been to the midwest
@@zacharykallinen9838 Its 40 F right now I'm wearing very similar clothing, with a foot of snow on the ground. Cold places just get used to the cold.
I’ve done a lot of retrofit to my 1927 house over the past 10 years. I use both but when space is tight or short wire ends I’ll always use Wago. Much more compact. Glad to see a test showing equivalent performance, though.
Thanks I was curious about this not long ago when I saw ads for the wago
We used Wagos all over our robots in FRC, and we had them running off 40A fuses. That's all I needed to know they were solid!
We used them for CAN stuff also during a competition during 2019 we lost 2 drive motors on swerve to crimp connectors so yeah those arent that good against vibration
@@carlossosa9017 That's an inherent fault with connectors like these. You want connectors that are soldered to the cable and clip together.
When you had the wego at 20 amps, that's all I need to know it's good to use, as most 20 Amp breakers trip before they reach 20 amps. Thanks for a great video.
The 0,5 - 6 mm² / 20 - 10 AWG 221s are rated for 41A / 30A UL!
Er, 20 A breakers are supposed to hold that current for… like… ever. They will only go off if the current exceeds the rate by a certain factor for a certain time.
You're the man. This channel is awesome. Thank you, and keep it up🙏🏼
Very informative. I have been using wire nuts since the 60's. A few years ago came across the Wall Nut push in connectors. Tried them out and will not go back. Much easier, cleaner, more manageable connections. Will not go back. Will try the lever version.
Way to go Wago!
I've been an industrial electrician for over 50 years. I've seen a lot. Sometimes when developing control schemes and varying connections temporarily etc., I have found Wagos to be quite convenient.
I like Wagos, this video just reinforced that liking!
I watch some videos and discover Wagos connectors. This is the best connector EVER! Ease to use and work with. Thanks for the test.
Glad to help
Hi,
Thanks for the reasurrance, I bought the wagos about 4yrs ago and was not sure if I wanted to use them, well I use a set of them for the first time a month ago on a 15amp circuit and then more recent on a 20amp circuit , I tried using the wire caps first installing three additional outlets but the wire nuts did hold 4 twisted wires but the wagos did the job
Excellent testing and presentation. Thank you.
That should settle it. Good testing from you and Bill (Sparky) from sparkychannel likes Wagos as well. I'm certainly sold. Thanks for taking the time to show what's what.
Thank you!
Your videos are hardcore. I never knew these wago connectors existed.
But how?
Ever since I found out about these wago plugs from your videos I been using them on my home electrical projects. Love these things. 🔥
Glad you like them!
Love IT why you tested those two connectors now in the US. Wago connectors are already used like 10 years in the EU. those twist types are concidered museum pieces here in the Netherlands
10 years? LOL. I first encountered them in '86...
There is still the question of longevity...when something is heated up and cooled repeatedly for a period of time. Certain plastics degrade faster than others. Love your work!
Very true. I didn't attempt to cover that since it wouldn't have been accurate since even lab testing isn't really the same as time itself but the track record in europe on them has been excellent and for over 40 years.
May I suggest a follow up test: Wago versus the Chinese knockoffs on Amazon.
If it isn't properly rated IE: CSA or UL You should not be using it...
Solid info. Thanks for making this!
Very good testing setup. Easy to present information and prove concepts.
Exactly as expected, the wago conducts all the current, whereas the wire nut conducts some, but most conduction is through direct contact of the wires
It helped that in this test there was about 2" of wire twisted together that would have (hopefully) normally been in insulation rather than just bare live wires hanging about ready to kill someone.
I've used Wagos over the last few years in cases where it was just easier using them because they stack easily instead of trying to jam wirenuts into a small box...I've also continued to use wirenuts. I think there are times when both connectors make sense...who said there had to be only one answer to a problem ?
Very well done and extremely good info to have!
i just stumbled apon these new type of connectors and thought to my self.. i had this some what same idea being able to work with less wires in tight spaces making it easier to tuck and hide away and to also follow your wire path as well
been using wago for more then 10 years, never had a problem with them, and way faster then a wire nut.
Wago definitely makes a great product. The lever connector takes up much less space in the electrical box than a wire nut, and it is much more reliable too.
If you're REALLY worried, the slightly larger 221-6xx range are rated to 30A (UL) or 41A (IEC). That means that for the vast majority of domestic circuits you don't need to think twice.
An assortment box of 221 series and 2273 (push wire) Wagos has pretty much replaced every other connector in my toolbox. I've got a couple of strips of connector block for emergencies, and crimps and heat-shrink for making joints in trunking, but for most domestic work (and a lot of commercial/light industrial) there's really no contest. They're also handy because I can get more useful work out of less skilled labourers - it's pretty much impossible to make a loose connection, so provided I can visually inspect their work before closing up then we can get much more done in a day.
Great video. Thanks! Actually I think you went easy on the wire nut. A typical hot or neutral connection would only be twisted together INSIDE the nut, so more heat would build up inside the nut. In your test, most of the current probably never passed thru the half-inch-long twisted portion inside the nut. I think that would make the Wago look even better!
Very cool Video and test. Coming from germany I use those WAGOs for everything. It would be great if you could use °C or metric in general maybe as a text overlay or something so that we europeans can follow along a little easier :)
Or you can just do the math, is not that complicated
@@Xhopp3r We use the metric system, because we‘re lazy and don’t want to do math.
We use human measurements in the U.S.
@@CM-zf1qc Just like Liberia and Myanmar. You know, Elite Countries.
@@CM-zf1qc interesting so you got 12 fingers?
I'm a Electrician and we only work with Wagos and i realy like them. Lg. From upper Austria
Don't give out your address the US sparkies will come find you. Imagine using a better technoogy!
@@SilverCymbal true
European electrician here. We use Wago for everything. They are perfect if used within specifications. Most important thing is respecting the ratings... There are wagos rated for higher A if needed.. but generally you will be using 221 everywhere and be fine.
Small tip: if you have a full box and are worried about the clamps opening when you close it, just wrap a bit of tape around them to avoid accidentally opening the clamps when pushing the wires in.
Love all your videos, keep them coming thumbs up 👍🏻
Great job with logical, thorough, and scientific testing! Intelligent people know that well-engineered and UL certified products can be used with confidence. However, I'm glad to see hard evidence stuck in the faces of all the Joe Specialists out there who pretend to know more about what aught and aught not be used. You know, the type of guys who are also ultra-opinionated about their favorite motor oil brands but really don't know enough about their vehicles to fill a mouse's tea cup.
Agree with you 100%. I posted on the last video how at a company I used to work our ME lived by them for outlets and switches. Never once in my time there did we get any call backs due to any sort of failure. Paraphrasing what he said, use what you like and I would add, do it to code and do it safe. Great comment.
I'm in my 60s, and am still fighting with my apprentices about how much better these are to wire nuts. It's a mucho-macho thing.
@@micahap1559 Red flags like what Joe Specialist? Is it common that 60 amps runs through no. 12 or 14 conductors? Are you feeling a bit pretentious today? Your use of emojis speaks to your intelligence level.
@@mayo4300, please quote the exact part of the original comment where they said anything at all about wire nuts, particularly that anybody should be afraid of them. They said UL listed products can be used with confidence, that would include the UL listed wire nuts.
@@micahap1559, "red flags" lol, you're an idiot.
Gallons, pounds and Fahrenheit, I have never been so lost in my life listening to someone speaking English.
Is that because you are unaware that it is exceedingly easy to look up conversion factors, and apply them? Is it that you are one of those individuals who think someone else should have to do the work of converting the numbers so that you don't have to? Or, is it that you like to pretend that other systems of measurement never existed, have no reference in the real world, and therefore are impossible to ever comprehend?
We could go back to cubits, stones, bushels, pecks, and witch's tits (as in "hotter than a).
1 Gallon (128 oz) of water is 8 Pounds, or 3.8L.
0 Degrees C is 32 Degrees F, 100 Degrees C is 212 Degrees F
Master electrician here. I've long been a fan of pushin, levernut, and wire nut. I keep all three and they all have their place.
I'm glad you did science on these. Now I have a video to show.
I've done a lot of remodels and seen 20 or 30 year old wire nuts. Even the old tech holds up just fine. I also extensively use them on motors.
In every single failure I've seen, it's been due to an improper connection being made. You have to pretwist. When you work the wire into the box, you change connection angles, and you can't tighten inside the box. I've seen, at minimum, dozens of failures specifically from this, and catastrophic failures from the resultant arcing.
Moral if the story is the connector is only as good as the installer.