Q: When making a wire connection with a wire nut, "pre-twist or not?"

[Zim Hosein]

As the thread title asks, when using wire nuts, should one "pre-twist or not?" This is in regards to the indoor wiring, 120v AC, of a ceiling fan.

Thanks in advance! :beer;

 

[MrColin]

pre-twist

 

[Zim Hosein]

pre-twist

1-2 turns, then use the wire nut and secure w/ electrical tape right MrColin?

 

[BoomerD]

pre-twist

Yep...then a bit of tape after the wire nut is on.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Yep...then a bit of tape after the wire nut is on.

Much appreciated MrColin & BoomerD! :beer;

 

[gorobei]

i replaced the ballasts in my mom's kitchen, didnt want to mess with running clean wiring so i just spiced in into the existing. i tried it both ways, twist and no twist.

no twist seemed to work better, it got a better bite on the wires and had more tension. the pre-twist just worked like a screw going into threading and would twist off easier or even fall off.

with no twist the threading in the nut would grab and seemingly self tap, then when it reached the end keep on turning until wires form twisted pair.

 

[Raizinman]

Depends on whether the wire is solid or stranded.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Depends on whether the wire is solid or stranded.

The wires are stranded Raizinman.

 

[Zim Hosein]

i replaced the ballasts in my mom's kitchen, didnt want to mess with running clean wiring so i just spiced in into the existing. i tried it both ways, twist and no twist.

no twist seemed to work better, it got a better bite on the wires and had more tension. the pre-twist just worked like a screw going into threading and would twist off easier or even fall off.

with no twist the threading in the nut would grab and seemingly self tap, then when it reached the end keep on turning until wires form twisted pair.

Ballasts wires tend to be of a thicker guage than the wires used in ceiling fans, so I'm still on the fence gorobei.

 

[MrColin]

1-2 turns, then use the wire nut and secure w/ electrical tape right MrColin?

That's how my uncle the electrician taught me to do it.

 

[edro]

It depends on what the wire nut manufacturer recommends.
Not all wire nuts are alike.
Some wire nuts will do the twist for you, others cut into the conductors better, so twisting is not needed.
It's tough to argue with pre twisting, as it is always a better mechanical bond if done properly.

If you pre twist, strip the wires back about 1.5", start the twist with your finger.
Finish the twist with pliers, then cut the twist back to about .5" before putting the wire nut on.
It is much easier to twist 2 wires together when they are long.
Always twist the wires in the same rotation direction as the wire nut. (Clockwise when looking at the cut end)

 

[TheSiege]

The wirenut manufacture will tell you, its the only way to go

 

[Thebobo]

We dont use wire nuts or stranded in the fire alram business, it is forboten... well at least we tell folks not to ~

But if its Solid - pre-twist and twist your nuts hard! :sneaky:

I have opened many a juntion boxes to have wire nuts fall out from.

 

[EliteRetard]

We dont use wire nuts or stranded in the fire alram business, it is forboten... well at least we tell folks not to ~

But if its Solid - pre-twist and twist your nuts hard! :sneaky:

I have opened many a juntion boxes to have wire nuts fall out from.

Electricians tape is expensive too, just get the cheapest crap masking tape...mangle the wires together, give it a few wraps, and then be sure to nail/staple through the wires to hold them in place.

 

[pcgeek11]

A quality wire nut of the proper size doesn't need to be " pre-twisted". When the nut is installed correctly the wires will twist when the nut is installed.

 

[PokerGuy]

I've always pre-twisted, but the wire nuts seem to work better on solid wire than on stranded copper wire.

 

[Rubycon]

A quality wire nut of the proper size doesn't need to be " pre-twisted". When the nut is installed correctly the wires will twist when the nut is installed.

:thumbsup:

You should squeeze the nut as hard as you can (there will be lots of stiffness) and twist it very hard. There should be lots of resistance and the wires will twist together producing a nice, tight bond. The nut should never pull off no matter how hard you yank on it. If it comes off you did it wrong.

 

[Mixolydian]

If the wires are stranded, then I don't pre-twist. If the wires are solid, then I pre-twist.

And please, for the love of God, don't use tape on a wirenut!!

 

[pcgeek11]

If the wires are stranded, then I don't pre-twist. If the wires are solid, then I pre-twist.

And please, for the love of God, don't use tape on a wirenut!!

I never understood why people do this either. The tape does nothing.

 

[rivan]

Electricians tape is expensive too, just get the cheapest crap masking tape...mangle the wires together, give it a few wraps, and then be sure to nail/staple through the wires to hold them in place.

This is important. You should always put your fastener through the insulation to ensure a solid hold. :sneaky:

Pre-twist + electrician's tape, though you don't need a giant wad of tape. Just enough to keep the cap on if it should get jostled loose.

 

[Mixolydian]

Just enough to keep the cap on if it should get jostled loose.

A properly done wirenut should not come loose, hence no tape should be used.

 

[edro]

I hate taped wirenuts too.

However, I don't see a downside to using it... except if it ever needs serviced.
The tape should hold the wires together and the cap on better than untaped.

Of course a properly installed wire nut doesn't need tape... I just don't see the downside to taping.

It's like saying a properly driven car doesn't need seat belts.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=wire-nut&div=0&l1=twist-on&l2=wire-nut

http://www.idealindustries.com/media/pdfs/products/specsheets/wire-nut_71b-74b.pdf

From the original manufacturer. Solid or stranded. No pre-twist necessary. Those pics are what it should look like when you are done. The twist in the wires is from installing the wire nut.

 

[RockinZ28]

No pre-twist for me. Let the wire nut do the work.

I find when they are pre-twisted, the wire nut is rather easy to just pull off without turning it.

 

[SSSnail]

I usually dab a bit of solder on the twist too, just to be sure.