What's the proper way to use a wire nut?

Question

When you use a twist on wire nut for small guage wire (ex: speaker wire), do you first twist the stripped wire ends together before placing the wire nut on? Or do you just place them next to each other, then place on and twist on the wire nut?

Answer 1

I would suggest twisting the wires together first. it ensures that the wires are making a good connection and prevents another wire from backing out when you put the wire nut on

Answer 2

The proper way is to NOT twist stranded or unstranded wire.The reason one should not twist stranded wire is the possibilty of it breaking when the wire nut is then twisted onto the wires.Instead of using wire nuts,try this.Take the two wires and make an X,give it one twist where they intersect and then wrap the opposite wire ends around the bottom half of the X.Your wires now should connect in a straight line and now should be wrapped with black(electrical) tape.This type of connection ensures that the wires wont pull apart(tug on them and you'll see what i mean).

Answer 3

Strip a short section of each wire. The stripped section should be about 3/4 the depth of the wire nut. Then insert the wires parallel to each other into the nut, hold them securely, and twist the nut until the wire twists one turn OUTSIDE of the nut. The connection should be good.
SMALLER wire requires smaller wire nuts. It is best to twist them together first after stripping, then turn the nut onto the connection, but do NOT over-tighten it, you can break off the wires quite easily that way.

Answer 4

i was almost killed by someone who didn't twist multi strand wires before putting them in a wire nut. he didn't see the loose strands sticking out of the nut when he put the florescent light fixture back together. since that shocking experience i now do all the wiring that i am dealing with. here is how i would handle speaker type wire, twist the strands together for each conductor, so that each is like a solid wire, then lightly twist all of the wires to be connected by the nut into a bunch that will fit into the nut, then secure them by twisting the nut on to them. once i have a secure connection, i wrap the nut with electrical tape and wrap it on to the wires, then wrap my way back onto the nut. this will keep the nut from coming off of the bare wires and cover any possible broken strands that could protrude beyond the wire nut. i also wrap electrical tape around the sides of wall switches and outlets to cover the screws and wires, just in case the wrong circuit was turned off, or they are in old metal boxes. i haven't been zapped since, so i'll stick to doing it this way. good luck, if you still have doubts, check out home repair books at your local library, and be safe.

Answer 5

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RE:
What's the proper way to use a wire nut?
When you use a twist on wire nut for small guage wire (ex: speaker wire), do you first twist the stripped wire ends together before placing the wire nut on? Or do you just place them next to each oth...

Answer 6

You are supposed to put them parallel, put on the wire nut, and then twist them as a pair until the wires are caught up in the nut's threads. Make sure you use the right size wire nut for the gage of wire you are connecting.

That is what I was taught. If the wires are stranded and really skinny I would cheat and twist them first. The alternative is to use a splicing crimp-on connector in which you put both wires in and then pinch it shut..

Answer 7

I've read literature that shows both ways, and have talked with electricians who have done it both ways. I prefer to line up the ends of the bare wires, twist on a wire cap, and keep twisting until the wires coil around themselves one-half to a full twist. I do agree that you have to be careful with twisting too much. I just haven't had much luck with twisting the wires together before putting on the wire cap. "The Family Handyman" (http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/content/17553/) has an excellent article on this very subject.

Answer 8

Being such a simple job the truth is it will work both ways. Now electric wire should always be twisted first and somtimes clipped before adding the nut.....http://www.estimate3.com Just submit your Estimate fax, e-mail , or if you don't care about others viewing your estimate just go ahead and upload a copy of your estimate. When we receive your estimate, we will analyze your estimate completely and post the results.

Answer 9

I twist the strands of the stranded wire together, and if I am really ambitious, apply solder to hold them so. Then align the wire ends and twist on the nut.

Answer 10

I don't twist smaller wire. I don't twist stranded conductors. I twist solid #14 and larger. Especially if they are carrying AC .

Mfg'r says you don't have to twist the solids, but after years of troubleshooting I have found that NOT twisting them only leads to trouble.