when using romex cable when there are multiple cables entering the same nm switch box how should the grounds be spliced together as well as terminate on all devices. I will use a specific example: when six type nm cables enter a three gang plastic box where one double switch and two single pole switches will be installed. Is it ok to splice the six plus the three ground wires for the devices under one wirenut. Or do they make a green wirenut that allows mulitiple grounds to come out of it and if they do than there must be different sizes. I cant stand looping the ground thru mulitiple devices as one continous wire.
all those ground wires
- Thread starter ox110
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
Bond all together with a pigtail to each device. Green wire nuts, by Ideal, only come in one size, and are intended for one wire out the end.
Volta
Senior Member
- Location
- Columbus, Ohio
You also can't likely find a wirenut rated for that many wires. You can make two splices, each with half the wires or so and wire a jumper between them.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
You can use the big blue wirenuts or break the grounds into two groups with a jumper between them.
You could put all the grounds from the nm cables together with a short piece that has all the pigtails to the devices.
You could put all the grounds from the nm cables together with a short piece that has all the pigtails to the devices.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
If you only need two tails to devices slip a piece of wire thru the green nut with even lengths out each end and then insert the remaining grounds from cables entering the box. If a third tail is needed stick it in there also.
A/A Fuel GTX
Senior Member
- Location
- WI & AZ
- Occupation
- Electrician
In a situation like that, I use the Buchanan crimp sleeves. Just leave three long tails for the devices and cut the remaing EGC's short and crimp.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I usually (almost always) leave a single long EGC through the greenie to loop switch to switch.
Note: On the other hand, I never loop the hots; I always pigtail them.
Note: On the other hand, I never loop the hots; I always pigtail them.
I always use a grey or blue and leave as many tails as needed for the devices. I was just checkin on some different ideas so thanks for all the replys. The greens are nice because you can lay the wire in the box nice. Hey just had a idea- I could put a grey in a vise a drill out the top with a good size drill bit for the extra wires. I could set up a small factory in my garage and become rich finally. Thank for the replys.
A/A Fuel GTX
Senior Member
- Location
- WI & AZ
- Occupation
- Electrician
A violation of 110.3 (B)
shepelec
Senior Member
- Location
- Palmer, MA
Crimp sleeves work the best, cost less and they take up less room.
A/A Fuel GTX
Senior Member
- Location
- WI & AZ
- Occupation
- Electrician
Yeah, when you alter a product, you violate the UL listing that it received in it's true form. You'll have to make your first million another way.
- Location
- Massachusetts
OK got it.
I am sure there is some logical electrician idiosyncrasy to explain that. :grin:
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
No, just mine.
Have you ever had to replace a switch that was loop-wired, say, with a dimmer that has wires?It's easier to either wirenut to the existing pigtail, or remove the pigtail and put the dimmer's wire in its place.
electricguy61
Senior Member
Wago has an 8 opening connector:
http://www.wagocatalog.com/okv3/index.asp?cid=51&lid=5&strBestNrID=7730108
http://www.wagocatalog.com/okv3/index.asp?cid=51&lid=5&strBestNrID=7730108
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