Question for the electrical peeps.

[Bugsinrugs]

In the course of painting the inside of our home my wife has me changing out all the switches and plugs from standard ivory to the Leviton Decora white. I have some outlets that have 8 wires in the box plus ground. Original electrician back stabbed the wires. I can’t because it isn’t code anymore. I’m using wire nuts on two wires with a pigtail. My question is, are Wagos easier to use and better to stuff the mass of wires back unto the box? I’m getting it done but figuring there might be a better way.

[fintstone]

I use standard wire nuts and pigtails for this...except for ground where I use the green ones:

[Cajundaddy]

Wagos are super easy to use and great for multiple wire splices. I use them a lot for low current stuff like lighting fixtures, especially working overhead. They are typically rated 20A so probably just fine for outlets but... I am old school and always prefer copper/copper splice with wire nut whenever possible. I have seen too many copper/aluminum splices that melted down over the years so I still do it the way I was trained.

You have choices.

[Bugsinrugs]

Any secrets to getting all that 12 gauge wire neatly stuffed into a one gang box?

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

Any secrets to getting all that 12 gauge wire neatly stuffed into a one gang box?

Sometimes it is a major PITA but I typically fold it against the back and press it in with the butt end of my screwdriver or something.

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Sometimes it is a major PITA but I typically fold it against the back and press it in with the butt end of my screwdriver or something.

I might be a budding sparky. I tried the butt end of my screwdriver too. That was after trying with pliers and realizing I’m damaging the insulation.

[look 171]

Sometimes there's just not enough realestate in there for all those wires. Trim them back some and see about buying yoruself some room. I think code is 7" from the box out but who the hell does that except for on inspector I came across in my youth in the city of Burbank. He was a butt head.

[Bill Douglas]

these are good and you know that you have a very tight and secure connection.

[dad911]

You can't stab the receptacles with #12 wire but there are stab connectors that take #12.

However, I typically pigtail the receptacles and use wire nuts.

#12 is always a pain. I push the excess wire back carefully using the insulated flat butt end of a hammer.

[Bugsinrugs]

So I bought some 5 wire Wagos. They make the connections easy but they take up a bunch of room in the box. It takes me longer to set the outlet than making all the connections.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by fintstone

I use standard wire nuts and pigtails for this...except for ground where I use the green ones:

I don't think I've ever seen (or maybe not noticed) a wire nut with a hole in the center like that.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

Any secrets to getting all that 12 gauge wire neatly stuffed into a one gang box?

Huge nightmare, especially with a small box and lots of wire. I think the best way is to lick your fingers and just start pressing and poking them into the box as far as you can get them.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

So I bought some 5 wire Wagos. They make the connections easy but they take up a bunch of room in the box. It takes me longer to set the outlet than making all the connections.

I'm going to have to look up "wagos". I probably have seen them, but just didn't know the name.

[masraum]

Ah, yeah, have seen them, but never in person. Looks like they'd take up a lot of room if you've got a lot of wires, but certainly easy to use.



I feel like if you buy a decent grade of wire nut and put them on right, you get a very good, secure connection. I've stumbled across plenty that were a fire hazard where if you touched them wires would fall out, etc....

[dad911]

Originally Posted by masraum

I don't think I've ever seen (or maybe not noticed) a wire nut with a hole in the center like that.

'Greenies' only for grounds/bare wire. They have been around a while.

We used to use crimps also, take up less room, like the video but leave 1 wire long for a tail:

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by masraum

I don't think I've ever seen (or maybe not noticed) a wire nut with a hole in the center like that.

They work great to connect (and reduce the space required) with multiple grounds. If you are wiring a light fixture or similar, they work really well.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by masraum

Huge nightmare, especially with a small box and lots of wire. I think the best way is to lick your fingers and just start pressing and poking them into the box as far as you can get them.

Sometimes, to do it right, you just need to replace with a bigger/deeper box. That is a PIA.

[look 171]

We only use wire nuts, or crimps for grounds. Tried and true methods. Twist the wires, cut to length, wirenut, done.

[Bugsinrugs]

When I use wire nuts for three 12 gauge wires I also use electrical tape around the wires and wire nuts. I feel that might help hold the wires together when jamming everything into the box.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by fintstone

They work great to connect (and reduce the space required) with multiple grounds. If you are wiring a light fixture or similar, they work really well.

Yeah, I can see that. The grounds are often shorter or more of a pain than the hot/neutrals for some reason, so I can see that being a great option. I'll have to pick some up.

Originally Posted by fintstone

Sometimes, to do it right, you just need to replace with a bigger/deeper box. That is a PIA.

Yep. BTDT

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

When I use wire nuts for three 12 gauge wires I also use electrical tape around the wires and wire nuts. I feel that might help hold the wires together when jamming everything into the box.

Yeah, I have done the same, mostly just as an extra layer of security like a fire extinguisher. Most of the time, the nuts are on there TIGHT and no copper exposed/showing, but some tape can't hurt.