A retired electrician at the hardware store changed my mind about wire nuts

I was picking up some red wire nuts for a job in Tampa last week, and an older guy next to me said, 'Those are fine, but you'll get a better twist with the tan ones every time.' He explained that the tan ones have a slightly different spring design that grips stranded wire better, which I tested on a fixture later that day and he was totally right. Anyone have a favorite wire nut brand or type for different jobs?

3 comments

3 Comments

thomas_johnson352mo agoMost Upvoted

Honestly, is there anything more humbling than getting schooled on wire nuts? Tbh I've been using the red ones for years thinking I had it all figured out. Ngl that old guy would probably laugh at my whole toolbox setup.

the_gray2mo ago

Wait, is it really that deep though? Like, they twist on and hold wires, it's not rocket science. That old guy probably learned on cloth wire and knob and tube, who cares what he thinks. If your lights work and nothing's on fire, you're doing fine lol.

robinl9022d ago

Took me getting burned by a bad connection to finally learn my lesson too lol. I started color coding mine by wire size after that old timer at the supply house gave me the same speech. Honestly just grabbed one of those combo packs with the little guide on the back and it saved me a ton of headaches. The red ones are fine for certain pairs but I messed up trying to use them for three 12 gauge wires once and that connection came loose a month later. Now I just look at the box chart before I grab anything, makes me feel way less dumb lmao.