WIRENUTS - Why Are There So Many, and Why You Should Care...

Ever wondered why are there so many colors, types and sizes of wirenuts out there? Well today we're going to break into it.

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#electrician #electrical #electricity

Wire nuts are what we electricians use out in the field to connect one conductor to another. The problems we often run into are that sometimes we need to connect multiple conductors together, or that we need to connect LARGE conductors together. In these situations you will need to have some options of sizes to use.

Another reason for the diverse selection of wirenuts out there is the environmental factors they may be used in. Some wirenuts need to handle oxidation better than others as they're joining copper and aluminum conductors together. Others may need to repel/resist moisture as they're being buried directly in soil, and others still may need to resist extreme heat.

So let's dive into all of the different types out there currently.

GENERAL PURPOSE WIRENUTS:

1) SMALL GRAYS - (3) #22AWG - (2) #16AWG
low voltage, cat 5, security, doorbell/chime applications
2) SMALL BLUES - (3) #20AWG - (3) #16AWG
low voltage, cat 5, security, doorbell/chime applications
3) ORANGES - (1) #18AWG - (2) #14AWG
fixture wires, small residential conductors, speaker wires
4) YELLOWS - (2) #18AWG - (3) #12AWG
tight fit residential applications, multi-gang switch boxes, pancakes
5) WHITES - (2) #20AWG - (3) #10AWG
most residential applications (widest range of applications)
6) REDS - (2) #18AWG - (4) #12AWG
most used residential wirenut because of number of conductors in one wirenut
7) BIG BLUES - (3) #12AWG - [(1) #6AWG + (2) #8AWG]
used for multiple #12s in large quantity terminations such as multi-gang switches, also used in a lot of commercial applications to make joints on #6 and #8 AWG conductors

SPECIALTY WIRENUTS
8) CRIMP SLEEVES - varying sizes made
For insulated crimped terminations, often come in fixtures from manufacturer or automotive applications. - intended for permanent termination
9) GREENIES - (2) #14AWG - (4) #12AWG
"ground wirenuts" - Listed for use with equipment grounding conductors
10) PURPLES - coalr wirenuts
Listed for use with copper and aluminum terminations
11) BLACKS - high temp wirenuts
Listed for use at 302 degrees fehrenheit environments
12) LIGHT BLUES - moisture-resistant wirenuts
Listed for direct burial in earth
13) DUAL-RATED - multiple colors depending on mixed sizes
Brings two different size ranges together in one wirenut

There are, of course many different brands that will slightly differ in sizes, but for the most part they're all similar to the ideal options shown in this video. As with everything in the electrical trade, we are supposed to install materials that are listed for appropriate use. Make sure you're using the correct wirenuts for the application that you have in front of you.

#wirenuts #wireconnectors #electrical
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[glasshalfempty]

2:15 just a quick correction; as a structured cable installer that specializes in data networks, I can tell you that you would never use wire caps on any network wiring. They can be used without issue for POTS lines but that's it. Anything above that will only use specialty jacks and punch down blocks or patch panels.

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[caseycooper]

Great overview on wire nuts. Just a couple of things to add. The "Greenies" take the place of an uninsulated crimp sleeve, the bane of my existence. Much easier to remove and little risk of damaging the bare grounds. After taking apart the crimp sleeve, these are great to bundle everything back.

I can't understand how Ideal got the listing back for the Cu/Al purple wire nuts. No escaping that the two metals expand and contract at different rates as they heat up. This inevitably loosens them up, no matter how tightly the wires are spliced, resulting in poor contact, arcing, and burning. I've seen the new ones fail this way. Alumicons are a much better way to go, short of Copalum crimps, or getting rid of the aluminum wire altogether.

Bonus fact. The Ideal version of the tan (white) wire nuts can be twisted on with a 5/16 nut driver. No special tools needed and less wear on the hand and wrist. Again, thanks for the informative video.

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[JohnnyGiddingsCubed]

2:07 Hi IT Tech here. Plz never ever use wire nuts on cat5. It creates really strange interference issues that are near impossible to track down later without specialized equipment

[thanelovers]

Thank you for these videos. Also good to mention ceramic wire nuts, for very high heat applications.

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[phillipsofthedriver]

8:30 here in Cali people can no longer get regular priced insurance on their house, or NO insurance depending on the carrier, if there is aluminum wiring. It all has to be ripped out and replaced with copper to get basic insurance coverage.