I've been told two different ways to apply a wirenut...one being to simply hold the two (or more) wires together then put the wirenut on. The other is to twist the wires together first, then put the nut on. Which is correct or preferred?

Thank You

re: wirenut application	Warren Goodrich	6:02 pm thursday september 20, 2001

I am sorry to say that there is no correct or preferrable way to install a wirenut on conductors making a connection.

Each manufacturer has designed their wirenut product in a special way requiring a different method of installing that wire nut.

All manufacturer supplies installation instructions for their product and 110-3 of the NEC requires you to follow those manufacturer's installation instructions.

Most soft plastic wire nuts ask that the wires are left straight and even if solid entering that wirenut that is then screwed down tight onto that set of conductors to make a proper connection.

If stranded wire is mixed with solid wire most soft plastic wire nuts ask that the stranded wires lead the solid wires a bit as those conductors enter that wirenut to be tightened down making the desired connection.

If aluminmum wire is used make sure that wire nut is approved al/cu. for both aluminum or copper. If an aluminimu connection is made with a wire nut that is approved for use with aluminum you must then again read the instructions as to whether those wire nuts already have the anti-oxidation inhibiter grease installed inside the wire nut or whether you are supposed to add the grease before you install the nut. Do not just think "well I will just grease all conductors for all wire nuts to be sure". Bad idea, if the antioxidation inhibiter you used is a different chemical than the one already in the wirenut you are mixing chemicals that may react to each other causing a fire. I know this when I had a chemistry set as a kid. Boy am I glad my mom and dad's house survived my chemistry set!

Hope this helps

Wg

re: wirenut application	wirenuts	7:52 pm friday september 21, 2001

A fairly debated Q ! I would say many have their own methods, however , there seems to be 'pretwist' and 'nonpretwist' camps.

re: wirenut application	Warren Goodrich	9:30 pm friday september 21, 2001

:A fairly debated Q ! I would say many have their own methods, : however , there seems to be 'pretwist' and 'nonpretwist' camps.

REPLY;

I know you are right. These people strongly believe that you must twist and the others stronly believe that you can not twist before applying the wire nut.

However 110-3 dictates that you must follow the instructions of the manufacturer. You have to check the instructions of each manufacturer on the proper installation and whether they require you to twist or not using their product.

Now the problem, not all wire nut boxes carry their manufacturer's instructions on those boxes.

Try looking at the box of wire nuts and see if the instructions for installation is on that wire nut box. Hopefully that will answer your question, but only for that manufacturer.

We having fun yet?

Wg

re: wirenut application	wirenuts	1:24 pm saturday september 22, 2001

come to think of it, i don't believe i've ever looked for installation instructions, guess now i'll have to !!!