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How to
select twist-on wire connector |
| Use only 600 volt wire. Lamp cord, extension cords are not rated 600 volt. Use copper wire only. Aluminum wire is fire risk and should be avoided or installed by professional. 30 amp breaker use 10 gauge / 120-240 volt 30 amp outlet can be installed on 30 amp breaker only/ use 10 gauge wire ... cannot be connected to 15-20-40 amp breaker.  Orange/ #10 gauge wire, with ground ... 30 amp capacity. Safe maximum: 30 x 80% = 24 amps. Buy: 10-2 gauge/ 30 amp 10-3/ 30 amp Southwire electric tools |
Yellow
12 gauge 20 amp 120 volt 20 amp outlet can be installed on 20 amp breaker, but not 15 amp breaker/ use 12 ga wire. ... cannot be connected to 30-40 amp breaker. 1  Yellow/ #12 gauge wire, with ground ... 20 amp capacity. Safe maximum 16 amps. Buy: 12-2 gauge/ 20 amp 12-3/ 20 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground Rolls of stranded wire HOOK UP Wires |
White
14 gauge 15 amp 120 volt 15 amp outlet, AFCI, GFCI, timer, switch etc can be installed on 15 or 20 amp breaker. Never connect 15 gauge wire to 20-30-40 amp breaker.  White/ #14 gauge wire, with ground ... 15 amp capacity. Safe maximum 12 amps. Buy: 14-2 gauge/ 15 amp 14-3/ 15 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
| 50-60
amp breaker use 6 gauge / 240 volt 50 outlet can be installed on 50 amp breaker only  Buy: 6-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
40-50
amp breaker use 8 gauge / 240 volt 40 amp outlet can be installed on 40 or 50 amp breaker only  Buy: 8-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
  Copper ground wire. Every device, load, metal enclosure etc must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous throughout installation, never switched on-off, never used as a Neutral wire. Generally ... use same size as other wire in circuit Buy: 12 gauge copper ground wire Ground wire Green ground wire Ground pigtails Ground rods/ ground clamps at Amazon |
 Non metallic flexible cables must carry ground wire, but do not have hazard of short circuit causing injury from shock. Armored steel cable can be used as a grounded connection, and will protect wires from damage. Metal can be energized from an insulation failure. All conduit ...metal, plastic ... flexible and rigid ... must be attached to structure, and attached to enclosures, boxes. Movement, damage and deterioration are major cause of electrical failure. Buy: Non-metallic flexible conduit Power whip Armored cable Southwire armored cable cutter Pull boxes |
 Electrical tools must be insulated. Always best to disconnect power, but insulation failure, lack of proper grounding, grounded neutral, lack of GFCI, out-of-code wiring, generator operating without transfer switch, and other problems still pose a risk to anyone working on electric power ... even when breaker is off. Buy: Electrician tools kits KLEIN TOOLS Tools kits IRWIN tools KNIPEX Telephone cable knife Low Voltage Mounting Bracket for Telephone |
Push-on wire connectors in place of twist-on connectorsBuy:Push on wire connectors Amazon Red 3P connector for 10-14 gauge wire Lever connectors for stranded wire at Amazon HOOK UP Wires |
 Protect wiring from damage Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable. -Code says: Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15 Buy End cutting nippers at Amazon |
  Electrically insulated tools When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistance and heat on wire and creates possible weak point. Buy tools: KLEIN TOOLS Wire strippers at Amazon Electric Wire Stripping Machine Linesman pliers Utility knife at Amazon |
 Multimeters Voltage is tested across two separate wires. Ohms or resistance is tested across both ends of same wire. Amperage is tested along one or two points on same wire. Buy: Analog multimeter Multimeters at Amazon Klein multimeter Electric testers at Amazon Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line |
 GFCI circuit breaker A GFCI circuit breaker will protect all boxes on circuit. Circuit must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous and connected to each piece of equipment. White wire on circuit breaker must be connected to Neutral busbar inside the breaker panel. Buy GFCI circuit breakers |
Push down 1" wide Push down breaker Plug-in breaker Buy single-pole: Choose from 15 to 60 amp Eaton CL series Siemens 15-60 amp Single-pole tandem breaker Tandem breakers |
Push down 2" wide Push down breaker Plug-in breakers Buy double-pole: Choose from 15 to 125 amp Choose from 15 amp to 200 amp Eaton CL series circuit breaker Siemens circuit breaker Double pole GFCI |
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 Never
assume power is OFF Turn power OFF Always stand on dry boards. Do not stand on soil or metal ladder Electricians use fiberglass ladder Do not touch or lean into anything made of metal Use non-contact voltage tester on timer, on wire, on outlet to see if power is present. Press button on tester, if single beep then no power is present. If continuous beep then power is present. Never stand on bare ground, always stand on dry boards, do not hold or touch anything metal when working on timer or water heater that has power, tape tester leads to wood sticks, never touch wet water heater, or flooded water heater, or timer that had a short or fire without turning power OFF. Buy: Multimeters at Amazon Buy non-contact voltage tester at Amazon Electric testers at Amazon |
 To
strip cover off cable:Using utility knife with fresh blade, carefully cut through plastic sheathing ... over top of ground wire.  Cut directly over the
ground wire.Do not cut very deep ... just enough to get through the plastic outer cover Do not cut into insulation that covers wires |
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 Steel
spring inside each connectorSteel spring cuts into soft copper wire. Tighter the connector, the stronger steel spring holds wires together. Buy: twist connectors at Amazon |
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Two
questions: Does connector cover past the copper wire? Yes Is connector tight enough that it will never fall off? Yes Answer 'yes' to both questions, you have right connector. |
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Twist connector very tight |
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Copper part of wire is completely covered
Applies to wires that are twisted together Applies to wires that are placed sided-by-side Applies to stranded and solid wires |
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How
to connect stranded wire and solid wire If stranded wire is thinner than solid: Strip back stranded wire so there is more copper visible than solid wire. Wrap stranded wire around solid copper. Leave solid wire straight. When connecting two solids and one stranded: twist solids together first, then wrap stranded wire around solids.  Apply connector very tight.Pull stranded wire to make sure it is tight. If stranded wire is same diameter as solid: Cut off both same length Don't twist together, cover with connector. |
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 Different
size and types (solid and stranded) can be joined under same wire
connector as shown.If one wire is smaller there is risk it can pull loose, or come loose. or the connector will not bite into the copper and stay fixed to the wires. The main safety question is: Can any of the wires be pulled loose after connector is tightened? Pull on each wire firmly after connector is installed. Check it for sure. A poor connection is a likely source of flickering and failed circuit. A loose connection will begin to arc. IN the best case, it will simply come apart and circuit will fail. Worst case, it can cause fire. If the connection is located inside approved electrical enclosure with matching cover that is secured tightly, the the fire should not spread. Instead the wires will melt, tripping breaker, or simply melt enough to longer make electrical contact, and the circuit no longer works.  The smallest wire can be wrapped or twisted together with one of the larger wires. DO NOT SOLDER household wiring Solder is used for low voltage applications (circuit boards) and will melt and come loose when used for ordinary 120-240 volt applications. Use approved wire connector instead. Twist wire connector VERY tight Add black tape to hold the wires together if needed ... this helps hold wires in place both while connector is being installed, and after connection is finished. It is safe to leave black tape holding the wires as illustrated below. Buy Outdoor wire connector Wire connector assortment |
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| Basic rules: |
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 Wire connectors |
Both
types do the same job Twist connectors do not need to be taped in household wiring. All electrical connections has resistance, and Tape can cause heat build-up that might melt wire connector |
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Choose
right size: Ceiling fans and electric light fixtures from store usually arrive with orange connector. The orange connector may be too small for connecting to solid wire. Use Yellow connector instead Never use connectors for aluminum wire Always use copper wire. Twist connectors are not approved for aluminum wire applications. Only specific high compression fittings are used for aluminum wire Do not use connectors that were used before Apply new connector each time for high amperage applications Never expose connections to temperatures higher than 220°F |
 Friction tape |
Friction
tape: Friction tape is best. Plastic tape dries out and comes loose over time. Do not use twist connector to repair extension cord, appliance cord, or lamp cord. Cut wires back, twist copper wire together, next solder wires, then cover repair with tape. Friction tape applied over twist connectors: Commercial electricians know that twist connectors always come loose in high amperage applications, and so they apply friction tape over each connector. However, friction tape can block heat transfer out of connector, causing connectors to melt in some circumstances. Household electric usage will not experience same high amperage heat found in commercial applications. Using twist connector without friction tape is fine for household applications. |
| Twist on wire connector is best
choice for residential electrical installations Using twist connector without friction tape is fine for household applications. Use wire connector instead of tape to join residential wires together. Twist-on wire connector is very reliable under all conditions found in household electrical system. The metal spring coil inside wire nutŪ cuts into and grips wires firmly. Always tighten wire connector very tight. Do not reuse old wire connectors according to sources, but high cost of products today suggest inspecting old wire connectors for damage and do not re-use damaged, rusted connector, or connector without internal metal spring. Plastic tape and friction tape Tape can be added OVER the top of wire nutŪ (trademark Southwire) ... but it is NOT recommended or necessary.  For
hard-to-wire connections, wires can be taped together to aid
installation of wire connector. Do NOT use tape to cover bare
part
of wire and then cover tape with wire connector. The metal spring coil inside wire connector must bite into bare copper. Black plastic tape will fail in outdoor application unless sufficient tape is used. Friction tape is better choice than plastic tape for outdoor. Numerous wraps of friction tape will last indefinitely, but will be hard to remove for later repairs. However, friction tape can block heat transfer out of connector, causing connectors to melt in some circumstances. With wire connector, the metal coil spring that bites into the copper can deteriorate (rust) in damp locations. Fill wire connector with silicone for more permanent outdoor connection. Professional electricians working with larger wires and higher-voltage commercial applications connect wires using professional grade black plastic tape, sometimes adding friction tape for weather resistance. For these high amperage applications, a lug is best choice. However tape is used for large wires and high amp-volt commercial applications since wire connectors will fail, or connectors are too small for the application. Often the commercial connections consume entire roll of tape per connection. The tape is wrapped very tight and done in specific manner to meet commercial wiring codes. |
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Linesman
pliers Use to twist wire Use to cut wire Buy: Linesman pliers Resources: How to twist wire |
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14 ga wire ++
rated for 120
Volts x
15 Amp = 1800 Watts x 80% = 1440 Watts 12 ga wire ++ rated for 120 Volts x 20 Amps = 2400 Watts x 80% = 1920 Watts 10 ga wire ++ rated for 240 Volts x 30 Amps = 7200 Watts x 80% = 5760 Watts Resources: Select right wire and breaker Wire size chart with distances Electrical formulas |
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Circuit
breaker resources Resources: Water heater is tripping breaker How to replace circuit breaker How to wire gfci Can AC breaker be used for DC breaker How to reset circuit breaker Not enough space for circuit breakers Circuit breakers How to install subpanel Why you need ground wire Match breaker and wire size How to wire subpanel See inside breaker box How to wire safety switch How to wire whole house surge protector |
| Use only 600 volt wire. Lamp cord, extension cords are not rated 600 volt. Use copper wire only. Aluminum wire is fire risk and should be avoided or installed by professional. 30 amp breaker use 10 gauge / 120-240 volt 30 amp outlet can be installed on 30 amp breaker only/ use 10 gauge wire ... cannot be connected to 15-20-40 amp breaker. Orange/ #10 gauge wire, with ground ... 30 amp capacity. Safe maximum: 30 x 80% = 24 amps. Buy: 10-2 gauge/ 30 amp 10-3/ 30 amp Southwire electric tools |
Yellow
12 gauge 20 amp 120 volt 20 amp outlet can be installed on 20 amp breaker, but not 15 amp breaker/ use 12 ga wire. ... cannot be connected to 30-40 amp breaker. Yellow/ #12 gauge wire, with ground ... 20 amp capacity. Safe maximum 16 amps. Buy: 12-2 gauge/ 20 amp 12-3/ 20 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground Rolls of stranded wire |
White
14 gauge 15 amp 120 volt 15 amp outlet, AFCI, GFCI, timer, switch etc can be installed on 15 or 20 amp breaker. Never connect 15 gauge wire to 20-30-40 amp breaker. White/ #14 gauge wire, with ground ... 15 amp capacity. Safe maximum 12 amps. Buy: 14-2 gauge/ 15 amp 14-3/ 15 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
| 50-60
amp breaker use 6 gauge / 240 volt 50 outlet can be installed on 50 amp breaker only Buy: 6-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
40-50
amp breaker use 8 gauge / 240 volt 40 amp outlet can be installed on 40 or 50 amp breaker only Buy: 8-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
Copper ground wire. Every device, load, metal enclosure etc must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous throughout installation, never switched on-off, never used as a Neutral wire. Generally ... use same size as other wire in circuit Buy: 12 gauge copper ground wire Ground wire Green ground wire Ground pigtails Ground rods/ ground clamps at Amazon |
 Armored cable can be used as a grounded connection, and will protect wires from damage. Metal can be energized from an insulation failure. Non metallic flexible cables must carry ground wire, but does not have hazard of short circuit causing injury from shock. All conduit ...metal, plastic ... flexible and rigid ... must be attached to structure, and attached to enclosures, boxes. Movement, damage and deterioration are major cause of electrical failure. Buy: Armored cable Southwire armored cable cutter Non-metallic flexible conduit Power whip Pull boxes |
Electrical tools must be insulated. Always best to disconnect power, but issues of insulation failure, lack of proper grounding, lack of GFCI, out-of-code wiring, generator operating without transfer switch, and other problems pose a risk to anyone working on electric power. Buy: Electrician tools kits Klein tools Tools kits |
 12 ga Stranded wire is good for conduit with multiple wires ... but stranded cannot be installed under screw terminals on outlets, switches, timers etc without risk ... of heat causing splayed strands ....that come loose ... and begin to arc. Connect stranded to short piece of solid copper wire, and attach solid to screw terminal. Do not solder residential or commercial wiring. Buy: Rolls of stranded wire |
Protect wiring from damage Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable. -Code says: Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15 Buy End cutting nippers at Amazon |
Electrically insulated tools When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistances and heat on wire and creates possible weak point. Buy tools: Wire strippers at Amazon Linesman pliers Utility knife at Amazon |
Multimeters Voltage is tested across two separate wires. Ohms or resistance is tested across both ends of same wire. Amperage is tested along one or two points on same wire. Buy: Analog multimeter Multimeters at Amazon Klein multimeter Electric testers at Amazon Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line |
 Larger image See inside main breaker box Basic house wiring |
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Resource: Electricity: The grid is defined by three parts: transmission, distribution and end user. The following links show how it works Power plant to end user power pole Power pole to residential breaker box Power pole to commercial breaker box How to wire residential electric How to wire commercial 3-phase Why you need ground wire How to wire 3-phase timer 3-phase water heater |
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Buy Electronic parts Industrial supplies Tools and home improvement Home and garden Hayward pool Pentair pool Southwire electric |
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Buy
Tools DEWALT Black and Decker Stanley SKIL Makita Porter-Cable Bosch Irwin Hand tools Klein hand tools Fluke electrical testing Dremel hobby tools Campbell Hausfeld air powered Tekton automotive Powerbuilt automotive Saws and saw blades |
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Resource: Compare box timers DPDT timers Intermatic Control water heater w/ Z-wave |
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Resource: Intermatic control centers: and parts Digital control centers and parts Tork control centers and parts Subpanels All control centers and parts Enclosures |
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Resource: Programmable timers Countdown timers Off delay timers On delay timers Timer modules Din rail Twin & one-shot Woods Intermatic Tork |
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Recirculation systems |
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