Light Fixtures & Wire Nuts

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Alwayslearningelec

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NJ
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Estimator
Do you always use wire nuts to terminate conductors in fixture if they are not pre-tailed? I'm referring to commercial work. I ask because I know when I installed fixtures in my home they have the connectors where you push in the wire. Don't think that's the case in commerical work.
 
I'm a old sparky and still use wire nuts. I stripe #16 to #10 guage wires 7/8" of a inch then pre twist along with a final tighten with heavy side cutters, trim the ends even, install wire nut ( pressure connector ) then give them a final tighten with heavy side cutters so connection has at least halve a turn of insulation portion then install quality tape. Wired in so many vibrating screens, hammer mills, shakers and other equipment that had a lot of vibration this way of making splices never failed. Checked prices a few times on Wago & copy cat brands of connectors and they always cost more then wire nuts so most sparkies will go with the cheaper wire nuts. I have at least six boxes of wire nuts in my garage and three state pre twisting not required, two state to pre twist and a oldy but goody box of wire nuts from the 1970's that are approved for splicing copper & aluminum wires in dry locations doesn't have any opion.
 
I will use WAGO connectors if the fixture comes with them. I refuse to use WAGO connectors in my branch circuit outlet boxes because I've replaced enough melted ones to not trust them. But if the WAGO is only seeing the current from the fixture itself, I've never seen one of them melt.
 
Wire nuts are way cheaper than push in connectors, but the push in are faster. I keep both in the accessories tray.

I’ll never use the push in on stranded wire though. They don’t work very well.
 
Alwayslearningelec said:
Do you always use wire nuts to terminate conductors in fixture if they are not pre-tailed? I'm referring to commercial work. I ask because I know when I installed fixtures in my home they have the connectors where you push in the wire. Don't think that's the case in commerical work.
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If the fixture comes with the push in connectors and we're using solid conductors we use them. When they're the type that is shown in Larry's photo you can only use them when there is one set conductors entering the fixture. If you were daisy chaining fixtures together then you would still need to splice with wire nuts or some other connector.
 
infinity said:
When they're the type that is shown in Larry's photo you can only use them when there is one set conductors entering the fixture. If you were daisy chaining fixtures together then you would still need to splice with wire nuts or some other connector.
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LarryFine said:
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If those came on the fixture we would use them otherwise it's wire nuts with a jumper to the driver disconnect.
 
Rick 0920 said:
I will use WAGO connectors if the fixture comes with them. I refuse to use WAGO connectors in my branch circuit outlet boxes because I've replaced enough melted ones to not trust them. But if the WAGO is only seeing the current from the fixture itself, I've never seen one of them melt.
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IF installed properly they will not melt , post a photo of one melted. or any one on this forum post a photo of a melted WAGO.
 
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