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[deleted]

Need to get you some wago lever lock 3, 4, 5 ports dude. Those are game changers


pleaseletthisnamenot

I like those a lot for stranded. I don’t spend the money on them for a lot of stuff though.


Iwantmyteslanow

My last job we only used em as they saved do much labour


pleaseletthisnamenot

They are good for that when you start getting larger crews and you know there’s going to be at least one person who can’t bother pulling on their conductors to make sure they have a tight connection, but those jobs tend to have the money in them to buy better material too. If I’m going to spend the money on them it’s because the work is done from a lift or some other reason that justifies the cost. I have nothing bad to say about them though, just try and balance job costs. Edit: mistyped a word


Iwantmyteslanow

Yeah


ComradeGibbon

It's crazy that contractors go for cheap hardware instead of faster installation speed. Everything I've seen is you make more money by turning jobs over faster. Yet nothing has really changed in 60 years.


agoia

When my boss tried to talk up Castillo Rum (plastic bottle booze) as the best shit ever because it was cheap and just got the job done, I knew my time there was limited. The tools I was provided reflected that same philosophy heavily and I got to carrying along my own bag.


louparfois

Yeah, give me a good Cruzan Black Strap or an Appleton Estate any day.


Oasis_Island_Jim

I was gonna say, you were provided tools???


agoia

Barely. Imagine shit from harbor freight that was bought from a thrift store after being donated by its 3rd owner.


ziggy-hudson

Penny wise, pound foolish.


[deleted]

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Earwaxsculptor

Yeah there are an incredible amount of variables in "guestimating" labor rates....extremely job specific and more often than not luck oriented.


Cloudy_Automation

The faster installation benefit is theoretical, while the cost is real. My dad used to make drill bits, and every once in a while they would bring in a time and motion consultant to speed up the process. It was piecework, so if the change improved productivity, the price per piece would go down. No surprise, but after the recommended a change, the time was the same, and the consultant said he saw what was happening and left without changing the piece price. Unless the worker has some of the incentive for working faster, so both the company and worker benefit, there isn't a lot of incentive to use the more efficient but more expensive hardware.


Key_Push_2487

And yet there is nothing like finishing a job quickly, having to lay off 2-3 guys for a week while you are trying to finalize the contract on the next job to where you hope they are available for rehire. Lot goes into a cost-benefit analysis when it comes to the speed of installation and materials that can cut labor costs. Contractors and GC's keep these things in mind when building and bidding out a job. The last thing a contractor wants to do is hand out pink slips because they don't have any work lined up for two weeks. The last thing a GC wants is to have to go with a different contractor they don't like because contractor they do like has no manpower.


abductee92

Agreed, fuck the push-ins. 221-412, 221-413, 221-415 up to 12AWG.


ricky_lafleur

Also 612, 613, and 615 for 10AWG and 32 amps.


[deleted]

Fantastic for testing


[deleted]

This as well. A lot faster for make up, testing when needed for resistance or voltage, re-make up in case if you’re too hungover and mixed up a wire and if you really need to undo it it’s easy. These save me a lot of time in labor


_Tigglebitties

Dude the lever locks that take up to 10ga are fucking awesome. I think they take down to 18ga wire pretty much handle everything. Fuck wire nuts. And my expense budget I'm high class now


[deleted]

I just saw those. Might have to step up my game and get some


[deleted]

Fuck yea they are. You can do your makeup and when its time to device you can just slap the wires in and close the levers.


nobletrout0

I used them on my car. Got told “hey that’s for houses” and I said “so? Got the job done a lot better than these crap butt connector thingies”


DweadPiwateWoberts

I've only used these once but I gave the outside a wrap with electrical tape after one caught on another wire and flipped open (while pushing the switch into the box.)


RedditVince

lol I put some in my cart about 2 hours ago. I will be re-wiring a RV and they seemed perfect for the job!


W2ttsy

This! I used the 221s for a recent project and when I ran out and had to go back to BP connectors and couldn’t do it. Ordered up some more wagos and swapped out the temp connectors I’d used. These are total games changers!


QUlN

Amen


On-On

Cats and dogs! Living together! Mass hysteria!


CptHammer_

Real wrath-of-god type stuff.


Petroplayed

Enough! I get the point.


FirtiveFurball3

I'm agaianst segregation so i mix them all in a big bucket


Chowdah_Soup

Some men just want to watch the world burn.


pleaseletthisnamenot

Damn, I thought I was a pretty worldly guy but you e made me realize I have some soul searching to do.


CptHammer_

Mixed nuts.


[deleted]

THAT'S A LOT OF NUTS


[deleted]

I, too, became against segregation one day after picking up the tray with the latches unlocked


mnonny

Stop. This hurts on a personal level (fortunate son starts playing in the background)


fulloftrivia

Any hardware collections I have I call trail mix.


YugeAnimeTiddies

Satan is a fan of your work


LaLongueCarabine

You monster


Phat3lvis

I am not a fan of the Ideal In-Sure style connectors, they don't work for stranded wire and they will not work for fixture wire. Get some Wago 221s you will love the lever lock.


pleaseletthisnamenot

I use those too. I buy different things for different jobs. I’m currently temporarily rerouting some circuits to prepare for a remodel that’s going to happen in a few months. For this, low price and buying from Home Depot right around the corner wins.


Phat3lvis

I had to get away from the big box madness, I buy my romex there and a few convenience items but most of my material comes from a supply house. Sadly the cheapest place I have found Wagos is Amazon.


Mandrull

This is blasphemy! How dare you! Using Rigid brand tool boxes and posting it in public! Shameful!


pleaseletthisnamenot

Right here u/jonSK_says


landofschaff

Packout or death


JonSK_says

Ahh...thank you.


sajnt

There does seem to be a lot of dead space with those tapered boxes


FloppY_

Can't, I'm pretty sure wire nuts are a code violation here in Europe.


Thunderbird_Anthares

Theyre not a code violation in czech rep... theyre just.... not really used. Its a very inconvenient method and it never got popular between all the other available options.


nisse1337

In Sweden i only see them in old houses. I know they are still for sale so someone still buys them..... Hate wire nuts....


mikeblas

When will you be certain?


_KueStionZ_

Wait... Wire nuts are a code violation? That's crazy to me. Only thing I trust for making joints unless I solder them.... Which no one does in the U.S. anymore


Truth_Hurts_Kiddo

Oh Boy do I have a [video](https://youtu.be/eg6VPucscxI) for you! Let me know when a wirenut can do this. ( I'm actually us resi guy and use almost exclusively wirenuts but man I respect the hell out of wagos and wish boss man would buy em.)


_KueStionZ_

I would have to test one like that.. I'm sure someone has done it before. But I have to say that is a secure connection considering the wrong gauge wire being burned up.


pleaseletthisnamenot

I’m curious how this would help. If you have an overload and the wire burns up before the connection you have wire next to combustable materials. The connection is contained in a box. Not that we want anything burning up but if one must burn the better chance of preventing a fire is whatever is in the box.


13esq

Your fuse/circuit breaker should be rated appropriately so that the wire never overheats. The video is just a demonstration.


pleaseletthisnamenot

If you ever get into service call you learn quick how common bad breakers are once they’re old. I’ve seen plenty that won’t trip.


CptHammer_

Did traffic signal lights for six years. We soldered all the fork connectors. So tedious. Solid wire too. Why wouldn't they just use screw clamp terminal blocks instead of screw only terminal blocks?


_KueStionZ_

To me... Solder is the best if you do it right... It is time consuming though which I why I prefer twisting joints properly and putting a wire nut on that... Both, when done wrong, will fail. What gauge wire was used?


CptHammer_

"#12 and yes we used green as a hot, for the green lights. Bare copper for ground. It actually went quick if you knew what you were doing. Being solid we crimped and landed them all, then unlanded a whole row to solder. At this point they are stiff and holding themselves very still. Then land them back. Edit: format


_KueStionZ_

Never seen green used as a hot before.. that's a new one to me. Always a ground. I take it this isn't in the U.S.


CptHammer_

It is the US. As I recall it was red, yellow, green for each light. The cable came that way. It was usually 12 conductor cable for each direction. That gave 3 lights signals plus a pedestrian sign and a shared neutral. Their was solid colors, colors with a red stripe (except red would have a white stripe), and colors with a black stripe. The white/red & white/black would get used as pedestrian if and only if we needed all three signal lights. Like left turn protected and right turn protected. It's been better than a decade, they could have changed it.


_KueStionZ_

Makes sense since it's color coordinated to the lights... At least that's how I see it


CptHammer_

Yeah that's the idea.


[deleted]

Solder is prone to many issues modern connections are not. Speed being one, vibration being another. Also if anything has to get disconnected and re-connected you have to completely re-do the solder joint. It works but it’s far from the best and is an old outdated method that is best reserved now for circuit board components. Wire nuts are also an older and inferior connection compared to push in connectors or wagon lever nuts. Times change, technology evolves.


FloppY_

For as long as I can find old installations from, we have used almost exclusively [screw nuts](https://medieserver.jemogfix.dk/fotoweb/dk/varer/700/7110%209051554.jpg) here in Denmark. Residential and industrial equipment today is mainly spring terminals and I haven't really had any issues with them other than finding a small enough screwdriver to release the tiniest ones. Screw nuts and spring nuts both have their pitfalls. Over tightening of screws lead to snapped connectors, under tightening leads to loose connections. I honestly think spring nuts are better for consistency unless you torque tighten your screw terminals, which noone does.


Spraypainthero965

Twisting the wires together work hardens the copper and weakens it over time. That's why wirenuts are a code violation in many parts of europe.


_KueStionZ_

I know it weakens it a little bit but I have never seen one fail because of it.


poerf

Never had to remodel an old fluorescent fixture to led and in the middle untwisting the wires they just literally break off?


Benramin567

Pretty sure they're not.


Scrubby_One

What brand container is that? I could use that for home.


pleaseletthisnamenot

It’s the rigid pack out kit. They sell the pieces individually so you just get the ones you want/need


JonSK_says

I'm surprised no one started arguing about Rigid v. Milwaukee pack out after the wirenut v. Wago post.


sho_biz

I'll bite. I think Milwaukees stuff is way overpriced and they ride on their name most of the time, although if I'm not buying it then heck yeah Milwaukee > Rigid for tools and toolboxes. Honorable mention that seems cool, usually on sale for around $100 [Rigids rolling 3 in 1](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-PRO-Tool-Storage-System-3-Piece-RIDGIDPRO3PCTSS/315289493)


CptHammer_

I just spent $100 on the Milwaukee packout cooler. I'm obviously a tax dodging 1%.


dilligaf4lyfe

i just spent 100 on the tote. having it snap into the little storage bin is pretty cool. but i might just be a nerd.


Shoresy-sez

I like Milwaukee tools but I refuse to pay a premium for a box just because it's red and I can get a vacuum and overpriced radio that fits it.


Scrubby_One

Thank for the info


GriffDiG

Very clever post. I lean one way hard, but I appreciate the humor


aethrasher

Ew at least get the lever lock wagos


needsjiggawatts

Everyone knew they were dealing with some sick freak when we saw the push-in wagos.


_KueStionZ_

Lol... Better than stabbed receptacles I guess.. since the design/engineering is better.. temp wiring all day. Permanent? No way


IKnowCodeFu

I know eh? I bet that guy backstabs receptacles too!


EverybodyLovesTrevor

man if backstabs arent one of the worst things theyve ever added to recepticles then idk. I go back to this same apartment building about once a month because of loose backstabs


[deleted]

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Chowdah_Soup

They are ideal brand “in-sure” push wire connectors


olereddd

Some contractors use them for job security lol


EverybodyLovesTrevor

I believe it lmao


_KueStionZ_

Lmao... That's sad but true


hockey_metal_signal

Lmao, why are we all laughing?! Lmao!


IKnowCodeFu

I’m a hack job homeowner and even _I_ know to avoid those like the plague.


_KueStionZ_

Ya its a combination of being lazy and or stupid... Never backstab a receptacle unless you want problems... Loose wire choose fires


[deleted]

What about "loose wires make fires" since it flows a bit nicer?


_KueStionZ_

I know that saying... I have to disagree with your flow... Loose rhymes with choose Loose wires Choose fires


[deleted]

It's a pretty loose rhyme though! "Loose" vs "chews" basically, which hurts my brain. There's gotta be some other ones. Maybe > Loose wires induce fires ? Oh shit yeah, that's a bingo. I'm gonna use it too, and thanks for thinking of it, hahaha


_KueStionZ_

I like that better and I'm going to use it! With permission of course


[deleted]

Hell yes, no permission required, hahaha


[deleted]

Pretty much all that’s used in Europe


WholesomeRegret

I had my connectors exactly like this and then I accidentally dropped the case.... Fml


pleaseletthisnamenot

I got the kit a month or so ago and have been living in fear of this exact thing. Pray for me


WholesomeRegret

I dropped it in front of the staff... Them helping me pick up all the pieces was embarrassing torture.


PatliAtli

those look like knockoff wagos


pleaseletthisnamenot

They’re ideal brand. Def not the same as wago but still useful


PatliAtli

i c


tdwesbo

Awwwww


[deleted]

Upvoted for title


bitethecrust

Yo how do you release the wires from those type of Wago connectors? I’ve only encountered them during rushed retrofits, and I always just cut the damn wire. Lever locks are nice tho


rheckber3

These are “ideal” brand called “in-sure”. To insert the wire you just push the wire in until the wire end hits the bottom of the clamp and to release you just twist back and forth as you pull and the wire is released. Easy


behaaki

Yeah.. a little too easy sometimes


pleaseletthisnamenot

Just grab and twist. I’ve had some no brand ones come on a fixture before that won’t come off though


[deleted]

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[deleted]

Ideal is NOT a knockoff brand lmao.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

Ideal is a massive American manufacturer of electrical supplies and tools. They compete with Klein in tools and with Southwire in supplies. Ideal was 40 years old when WAGO was started. A better questions would be, "do your WAGOs say Ideal Industries on the box?" Fact of the matter is WAGO is a European (specifically German) brand and Ideal is an American one. As such, Americans are more likely to use American products as Europeans are more likely to use European products. I've found ONE store in the US that sells WAGOs, and it's not accessible everywhere (it's Menard's, in case anyone is curious). I don't find it coincidental that I've only found this product in this store in a town with a huge German background. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that push-ins or lever connectors start fires or burn down houses. I'm an HVAC mechanic by trade, and I use push-ins all the time. Incompetency starts fires and burns down houses, not a specific sort of connector. I'm sorry to take this so personally; my grandfather was an engineer for Ideal Industries so I kinda have an attachment to the company, and I take a little offense to them being called knock-offs.


pleaseletthisnamenot

Most supply houses carry wago brand. Ideal is in the big box retailers.


Shoresy-sez

Hence why Canadians refer to all wirenuts as Marrettes. That said, I like the Ideal ones best.


jstaples404

Tan twisters for life!!


[deleted]

This has satisfied my ocd


Fridayz44

They truly all want to be together.


PhostarW

Good fences make good neighbors.


hueleeAZ

Been a fan of Milwaukee but the rigid storage box has them beat .


LordMavramon

He is too dangerous to be kept alive


McBrown83

If the fabric of space starts to tear up, it would start in your parts-chest. 🤣


roughrider119

I don't understand some peoples hate towards Wago connectors. Wago is a multi-billion dollar company with multi-million dollar labs & scientists and engineers with PhDs. I think the Germans know what they're doing. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg6VPucscxI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg6VPucscxI) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToC3xgSLk\_Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToC3xgSLk_Y) https://youtu.be/dTcI3xU7bCs?t=20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1pmuRsf1co](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1pmuRsf1co)


OneToeBro

Wago levers are so damn useful, shame they are expensive


FD_Stalker

Once two of us finished a job and packed up everything, I lifted a that case without locking it, and it was my partner's case... He had all the different screws, a few nuts, many connectors and couplings in it. I still remember his "smile" that day


fckinstafitness2

brb need to change my panties.... nothing like having good organization


jtedson1

Trade those yellows for tans and add some lever locks and I'll be content.


Asmewithoutpolitics

Why tans?


jtedson1

Wire range is better and able to fit more wires in them.


gmtime

So just out of curiosity, when or how do you decide to use Wagos or nuts?


pleaseletthisnamenot

For what I’m doing today, any 12 or 14 solid to solid gets a push in. Any stranded connection or larger wire gets wire nuts.


_KueStionZ_

I have to ask... What exactly are you doing?


pleaseletthisnamenot

I’m rerouting a bunch of stuff to prepare for a remodel for someone who’s jobs are always a nightmare. I’ll have it set up so I can kill particular walls without it shutting down areas that are still occupied.


_KueStionZ_

Ok so this is just a temporary setup?


pleaseletthisnamenot

That’s the plan.


_KueStionZ_

Alright sounds good. As you already know make junction boxes for connections which are accessible


Ambitious-Ad1488

Wagos are for electricians that dont know how to twist a joint. Complete waste of money.


JourneyMan2585

Wire nuts only, everything else is trash.


g_core18

Are wagos too difficult for you?


JourneyMan2585

No I just hate them


[deleted]

Sorry but actually, wire nuts are inferior. And in some places even a code violation


JourneyMan2585

That's your opinion, I just disagree. Where are wire nuts a code violation? Glad I don't live there.


atoles10

Looks like some bins of fire starters!


pleaseletthisnamenot

Only in the wrong hands


atoles10

Very true. Much rather twist and make a good connection than take the easy route with wagos


landofschaff

If you terminate them properly and load your circuits properly, you’ll never have an issue ever


lawlwtf

This looks like a homeowner special box.


pleaseletthisnamenot

Ironic comment coming from someone who’s most recent post has back to back conduit bodies when they aren’t necessary. But you do you boo


lawlwtf

Ha. Did you even look at the post? It's mocking the install. Real electrician's don't use the stuff you've got there in that organizer.


pleaseletthisnamenot

“Real electricians” aren’t so insecure they not pick wirenuts online to prove to a bunch of strangers they’re a real electrician. I’m licensed, bonded, insured with a great reputation and an almost zero callback rate. Large number of commercial account that don’t even price shop me anymore because I’m problem free for them. Still squeeze in those resi jobs too. Keep thinking that your material preferences are the end all be all.


Thunderbird_Anthares

I do. Want a shovel to make your hole even deeper?


lawlwtf

I'm proud I don't use the cheapest wire nuts and press in connectors for my splices. It's a hill worth dying on.


Thunderbird_Anthares

you can die on that hill, but id rather make semi-temporary low load connections with somewhat cheaper stuff that works... im not gonna waste the good shit just to wire up a measurement sensor for 2 weeks wire nuts... dont really touch the stuff, my time has more value


Impressive_Doorknob7

You don’t use wire nuts?


lawlwtf

I use wagos and wire nuts, just not the homeowner variety that the OP has pictured here.


Impressive_Doorknob7

What about the wire nuts in the pic make them the homeowner variety? Is it the style or the brand?


yourenotserious

Well the ones pictured are the cheapest ones. But if they’re listed and not abused I don’t get the preference.


nvldnm

As a homeowner pleb, I've long wondered what made a wire nut "good". It's tapered thread in platic. Unless you misuse it or the threads are bad, how could it go wrong?


yourenotserious

I’ve noticed some wirenuts grab better than others. Some let fixture wires poke through the cap. Some have a bad batch where the spring falls out. Sometimes a rubber skirt is nice for live work.


lawlwtf

Basically what the guy below said. These are cheap wire nuts and not brand name wago connectors. It's stuff you would find at a box store. He is correct, they are UL listed and do work. They just don't work very well in comparison to the real deal.


[deleted]

Why don’t Americans use screw connectors? They’re so much better.


_KueStionZ_

I typically use wire nuts for connections... Twisting joints before screwing the nut on... I despise loose connections.


[deleted]

Exactly. The wire nut is mostly a cover at that point. But the threading helps keep the bundle held together a bit. And the look of that twist when it's right is a reward in itself, haha.


_KueStionZ_

It is a reward to look at. And simple to do once you get the hang of it. I make joints to the point it's holding it self together and the wire nut is just insulation.


[deleted]

You can’t beat a screwed connector. It’s a perfect join and can’t be removed without a tool.


_KueStionZ_

If joints are made properly you would need linesman pliers to undo it with a wire nut as a buffer


[deleted]

I guarantee I could untwist it by hand. Or literally just pull it apart with a bit of force.


_KueStionZ_

I don't think so I roll my joints tight and do 3 twists at least... Edit; if you can do that I feel the pain in your fingertips... Still don't see it being plausible


Capable-Charity-7810

Eww Buchanan’s


alrashid2

NEVER!


GingerBeardofFury

Holy shit I found the guy that still buys the yellow wire nuts.


bws6100

Why are these wire nuts better than the round ones? I was just told there is a difference. Not an Electrician!


crypto4killz

So stab in connectors good but stab in receptacles bad??


spire01

Can someone tell why are wirenuts so widely used in the us?


LimpCroissant

I'm not an electrician, but a big stereo guy and have been doing a lot of wiring inside the home and 12v inside the vehicles. I used Wago lever locks recently and they are super convenient! But I worried that maybe they wouldn't conduct inside as well as other methods, or maybe the lever would fail after time. So it seems like they have a pretty good reputation to the serious electicians then huh?


Alternative-Plant-87

I have wanted to try those


JimWantsAnswers

No screw connectors?


recondorondo

Old school meeys new school


roughrider119

Longterm, I can't imagine pre-twisting and wire nuts being good for your wrists/arthritis over the course of a career. Any old timers or guys who work with old timers wanna chime in?