Which Wire Connectors Should You Use?
WAGO 221 Assortment Kit: https://geni.us/H2Jp
All My Favorite DIY Tools: https://geni.us/VYIp51
With the DIYer in mind, I will provide my recommendation for wire connectors for your electrical projects around the house. We will cover the construction of each and how to effectively use them on a common install like a ceiling light (solid and braided wires). Additionally, we will discuss the cost of each and the survey results from over 8,000 viewers on what they use most commonly.
Connectors Included in Video
Good
Ideal Wire Nut Assortment Pack: https://geni.us/rL6eVG
Better
Ideal Push In Assortment Pack: https://geni.us/hoAAH
Best
WAGO 221 (2 Wire): https://geni.us/TAwOB
WAGO 221 Kit: https://geni.us/H2Jp
Chapter
0:00 Intro
1:07 Design and Use: Wire Nuts
4:48 Design and Use: Push In
8:13 Design and Use: WAGO 221
10:13 Cost for Each
12:02 Viewer Survey Results
13:22 Recap and Closing Comments
Tools Every Weekend Warrior Needs
Makita Cordless Drill Combo Kit: https://geni.us/t7dIA
Dewalt Drill Bit Set: https://geni.us/oFlSl
Dewalt Screwdriver Bit Set: https://geni.us/VDcr
Craftsman Screwdriver Set: https://geni.us/jXqFI
Eklind Allen Wrench Set: https://geni.us/7XfvO
Pliers (4-Piece Set): https://geni.us/RIdx
Milwaukee Fastback Utility Knife: https://geni.us/MlyiLk
Stanley Tape Measure: https://geni.us/bUfD1R
Studbuddy Stud Finder: https://geni.us/RySCuVw
Johnson Torpedo Level: https://geni.us/wiLcDY
Stanley Hammer: https://geni.us/bPDk8Wo
Buck Bros Wood Chisel Set: https://geni.us/vk3cpTW
Klein Voltage Tester: https://geni.us/h9Hl
Klein Outlet Tester: https://geni.us/kdBAJ
Milwaukee Wire Strippers: https://geni.us/5zuLAbC
Little Giant Ladder: https://geni.us/fmlmTk
Free Home Maintenance Checklist: https://geni.us/P7XBg
Friends Don’t Let Friends Tape Outlets T-Shirt: https://geni.us/ifioHVc
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.
If you buy from Menards be careful to read the box Wago push in are more abundant that Lever nuts
Too many times I’ve seen levers that have popped up. So if I use lever nuts, I tape them down with electrical tape. I prefer push type connectors, but you can’ use them with stranded wires. So what is always in my bag? Yup, wire nuts.
Just "tabs" that "bite" the wire = JUNK
good info, thanks !!
I think the attraction of the lever nuts, as with the traditional twist on wire nut is that you can undo it if you have to, whereas with the push in type you can’t release the wire and have to get a new connector.
Hi Scott,
Do you know which WAGO connector I can use to split the current 2 ways? I am looking for a "Y" splitter. I am using 24V with 1 – (12AWG feed line) & [1 – (12AWG out) 1 – (14AWG out)]. Is there such a thing? Is there a part number for it? Please let me know, thank you.
Wego. = fire.
100% Levernuts for lighting! I stopped using wire nuts a few years ago after watching a few UT videos that show which wire device system could handle the most current before failing.
WAGO !!!
You presentation is salted with misrepresentations of fact. The stranded wire is NOT "BRAIDED." Ask any barber or your little sister what a "braid" is. Stranded wires are just strands of wires contained inside of an insulating sheath – nothing more, nothing less. So correct your word usage and stop casting illogical innuendo into the discussion. Why do I object so strongly? Because the world is overrun with DIY dumb bunnies that hear a new word and think that it means something "good" or "better." Then they have something to parrot to their friends, coworker dumb bunnies, or customers. So, DEFINE your terms before you utter them. And if they don’t seem to make sense, don’t hold water in an argument, or just add unnecessary verbal baggage, DON’T USE THEM! — PS: There’s no such thing as a solid "core" wire. There is only SOLID WIRE and STRANDED WIRE in power supply building wiring. You want to use braided wire, braid it yourself! 🤨 …… speaking of wire nuts …..
For solid wire I pre-twist the solid wire and mechanically wind the stranded wire around it in a helix. It takes an extra five seconds but gives a great connection when covered with the tightened wire nut.
i cant stand wire nuts. going to the wago, have a few clear push ins to use up but it’ll be wago all the way thereafter.
Wire connectors are for lazy people. Real men twist and solder.
I believe you did a good job explaining on the ideal pushes question to you is are you thinking the future they will have something for larger wires meaning like the lower number of wire life you know shout out from Del Rio Texas
Can you use these for wall oven connections where the junction box is in the back of the oven box?
Wire nuts – meh. Crimp – much better. Solder – BEST. I’m glad I don’t do this BS for a living!
the pushins suck and should not be used at all, they are the worst of the three.
Great recommendation 👋
Maybe you should have consulted an electrician before making this video, because I can tell you that this isn’t what most of us would suggest for residential work. For stranded wire wago lever-nuts are great, but they have a weak connection with solid wire.
Another YouTuber tested all three of these connectors with solid wire (as found in almost all house wiring,) and found the wire nut was best, push-in middle, and lever wago was worst.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM4RmGzngHk
Thank you very much, with you information it prevented me from doing a dangerous connection. It made me discover the Wago lever connectors.
Wago is rated 6 amps so you cannot use in 15 or 20 amp circuit. Idea makes the yellow push in which can be rated for the wire going in them.
Twisting your wires with pliers and locking them with a wire nut is the best way.
WAGO 221 10pk are about $8 where I’m at in every hardware store. Sadly that’s 80 cents per nut 😂 but they make the job so much easier for diyers
I use push style with solid core wire and lever style connecting stranded wire. I never had much luck pushing stranded wire into a push style. Before I found out about the lever, I would solder stranded wire to use the push style. Time consuming but a solid connection.
Hey. Thanks for the video! I would assume that the push in and wago connectors are also better when you are connecting aluminum and copper wire together also, right? Othewise you’d need to put something on it to avoid corrosion between the 2 unlike metals, wouldn’t ya?
@Everyday Home Repairs – There is almost nothing for AL. The main one, 3 port, (out of two choices), is crazy expensive. The lesser one, the AL twist nut, crazy expensive, also, is supposedly not being approved per code in many areas now, and the home may not be able to be insured, if used, even if it is allowed by code. EDIT AND, try to find quality AL outlets, etc. Just the very most basic are available! For pig tailing, you can wind up with THREE AL 3-ports, and THREE Wagos. Depending, for one outlet, just the THREE, AL 3 ports will cost about $15.00… _then the other connectors, the pig tail wiring, and a larger box!_
From AL to CU, of course, then the cost of whatever outlet/switch you choose, which will be more than the basic AL.
Wagos are terrible. Wirenuts rule!!!
i dont know if you’ve covered this, trying find videos on YTubers I understand best with on crimp connector, going from stranded wire to screw in … I think I saw enough videos, but wonder what you’re take is Everyday Home Repairs
Have not tests shown that wire nuts produce more surface contact between wires, less resistance, & less heat than spring loaded connectors? I have a problem in the old house I bought with outlets where code-following idiots just pushed wires into the back of receptacles & the connections deteriorate over time.
The house was built in 1957. All of the outlets are difficult to work on due to the short wires. Maybe 1.5 inches sticking out of the box. I am looking forward to buying a couple dozen wago connecters.
Lmao you got it completely backwards. Measure the damn resistance. Use that crap for a light switch for anything important use a real wire nut. Don’t be an idiot
cant wait when these push in start to fail. yes they will fail..
I was taught when using wire nuts the stranded wire is about 1/8 inch longer and extends slightly beyond the solid wire. Done this way the stranded wire can withstand a hard pull and won’t come apart.
So if wiring a 4 stand NMB wire I need 4 wago per junction?
Ideal Wire Nut Assortment Pack: https://geni.us/rL6eVG
Ideal Push In Assortment Pack: https://geni.us/hoAAH
WAGO 221 (2 Wire): https://geni.us/TAwOB
WAGO 221 Kit: https://geni.us/H2Jp
Tools Every Weekend Warrior Needs
Makita Cordless Drill Combo Kit: https://geni.us/t7dIA
Dewalt Drill Bit Set: https://geni.us/oFlSl
Dewalt Screwdriver Bit Set: https://geni.us/VDcr
Craftsman Screwdriver Set: https://geni.us/jXqFI
Eklind Allen Wrench Set: https://geni.us/7XfvO
Pliers (4-Piece Set): https://geni.us/RIdx
Milwaukee Fastback Utility Knife: https://geni.us/MlyiLk
Stanley Tape Measure: https://geni.us/bUfD1R
Studbuddy Stud Finder: https://geni.us/RySCuVw
Johnson Torpedo Level: https://geni.us/wiLcDY
Stanley Hammer: https://geni.us/bPDk8Wo
Buck Bros Wood Chisel Set: https://geni.us/vk3cpTW
Klein Voltage Tester: https://geni.us/h9Hl
Klein Outlet Tester: https://geni.us/kdBAJ
Milwaukee Wire Strippers: https://geni.us/5zuLAbC
Little Giant Ladder: https://geni.us/fmlmTk
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.
Can you take the wire out of the push in type and re use it or do u have to cut it and then its useless?
Greetings from Taiwan, Is it prohibited to twist the wire in Europe or USA? Actually in Taiwan, lots of experienced electricians think that it’s better to connect the wire by twisting them which they believe that will have more connected area between 2 wires..I’ve tried to explain that how people do in Europe and most developed country. They just think that using the Wago connector is non-sense…
New information for me, great information, you presented it well, thank you
I’m trying to change a light and the old one I took off, has connectors for three different lights which are from the floors above and are all routed through one hole. The new light only has three inputs for live, neutral and earth. I don’t know know how to connect the other wires so that they continue to provide power for the lights above? Do I use something like these on the video?
The reason you say that is because you dont know what your talking about. Wagos are the worst not the best.
You did not follow the directions with the wire nut , the directions, yes must following them , says the braided wire should be slightly ahead of the solid it is important to do it right. If you do this it will twist correctly.
Need to redo your video and do the connection properly You are putting out bad information telling people to do it wrong
In a connector, such as the Wago 221, is there one for a specific wire gauge? You mentioned inserting a 14 gauge, but will it also take other gauges> Thx
I pull test each wire 5 times.
Can I use these to install a ceiling fan? I have to connect 2 solid 12g with a smaller, flimsy stranded wire that goes to the fan.
Wago/push-in are code but if used correctly, have same type/size wire, and you don’t think you’ll ever need to replace/modify, the wire nut is superior in holding, connection temperature, cost, and connectivity. The “w” of Wago stands for wiggly.
So, I guess I’m saying is use correctly and stop being lazy. Wagos are the Shark Bites of electrical wiring and only outperform “old school” in temporary, mix matched, or emergency applications.
Instead of using a wago, learn how to properly use a wire nut. If installed correctly, there are zero issues.
Wire nuts #1 and Wago’s#2 especially for low voltage. Wago’s are especially good for tight boxes. Always tape my connections. Never had a problem. Nice Video. I am not a full time electrician. I just do work on houses I have built. Safety is always a priority concern. Thanks for this video.
As a electrician for over forty years .
a properly installed wire nut is by far the best .
push ins seem to fit that middle ground on cost vs secure. And most will allow you to remove the wire with a twisting motion. I’m surprised they didn’t score higher.
I have always been using wire nuts as a DIY’R I am interested in The Wago’s and have checked them out on Amazon.