Connecting Wires W/ Wire Nuts

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gadfly56 said:
I have read at least one box instruction that specifically said NOT to pre-twist.
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I think that since following the instructions of not twisting became an issue most manufacturers have included wording that pre-twisting is permitted. We've been twisting wires for 100 years and to suddenly say that the practice is wrong seems silly.
 
Pre-twisting or no, both have their place. Personally, I use a good wirenut, such as 3M, and if it's #12 or smaller, and only two wires, I don't pre-twist. I do make sure that the conductors twist around each other before stopping turning the wirenut. I can guarantee you if I do this way and also pre-twist another set of conductors, then take off the wirenuts, you won't see a difference in the twists between the pre-twist and no pre-twist.
If you don't do either way properly, you won't have a good connection either way.
To blatantly say either way is wrong is not true.
 
Smaller conductors of #14 and #12 up to (3) of them, I do as stated above. I promise that I twist my wirenuts tighter than most. I know that when they are removed those joints will appear to be twisted. When you get in to more conductors, I prefer to pre-twist them. During my career, I worked a lot of circuits hot, (I know, I know...no lectures needed. It's wrong) The absolute worst thing when dealing with a live circuit and removing a wirenut is to see them all spring apart and almost always the hot will ground to something and throw some sparks. I worked for a contractor that was adamant that I was not to pre-twist. When I addressed my concerns about the wires springing apart, his solution was to tape the bundle together before removing the wirenut if I was worried about it. The beautiful thing about the electrical trade is that multiple methods can be used, and they all can be correct if done properly. :)
 
No pre-twist and wire nut comes loose, load is disconnected. Pre-twist and wire nut becomes loose or falls off, load should stay connected.
I always Twist...and Shout!!
 
kec said:
No pre-twist and wire nut comes loose, load is disconnected. Pre-twist and wire nut becomes loose or falls off, load should stay connected.
I always Twist...and Shout!!
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I disagree. See post 8.
If installed properly, you won’t be able to tell if the wires were pre-twisted or not when you remove the wire nut. In fact, if installed correctly, they can’t “come loose.”
 
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