Screw on wire nut and the steel spring cuts into the soft copper wire.
The tighter you screw the wire nut, the stronger the steel spring holds the wires together.
Choose the right size wire nut
> Does nut cover past the copper wire?
> Is nut tight enough that it will never fall off?
Answer 'yes' to both questions, you have right wire nut.
 Wing Nut Wire nut This site calls both types: 'wire nuts' |
Wing
nuts and wire nuts do the same job Commercial electricans understand that wire nuts will always come loose in high voltage applications, and so they apply friction tape over each wire nut. Household electric usage will not experience same high voltage heat that causes wires nuts to come loose. Household wiring is fine using wire nut or wing nut without applying friction tape over the connection |
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 Friction tape Never use plastic electricians tape |
Friction
tape applied over wire nuts: Use wire nut instead of tape for household application. Applying friction tape over household wire nuts is not necessary. Never depend on plastic electricians tape. Plastic tape dries out and comes loose over time. Commercial electricans understand that wire nuts always come loose in high amperage applications, and so they apply friction tape over each wire nut. However, friction tape can block heat transfer out of wire nut, causing wire nuts to melt in some circumstances. Household electric usage will not experience same high amperage heat that causes wires nuts to come loose. Household wiring is fine using wire nut or wing nut without applying friction tape over the connection. |
Use this type wire nut in outdoor boxes, wet and damp applications, underground boxes
Nothing is completely weatherproof.
Do it yourself weatherproof wire nut
Fill wire nut with silicone caulk and then apply wire nut over twisted wires. Wires must be twisted together before applying silicone-filled wire nut
Make installation easy
Twist wire nuts tight
Ideal wire nuts
Never assume electricity is OFF
Turn power OFFAlways 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
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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 wire nut 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 wire nut. |
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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 Wire size chart with distances Electrical formulas |
