Electrician Types - I Have a Puzzle

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John6185

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Did you "twist" connecting wires or not? I had an instance once and I wasn't getting power and found after much searching that I failed to twist some wires-I just put them together and used a connecting cap.
 

Perplexed

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dennishoddy

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Did you "twist" connecting wires or not? I had an instance once and I wasn't getting power and found after much searching that I failed to twist some wires-I just put them together and used a connecting cap.
As someone in the electrical/electronic business since the 70's, I've had to attend many training sessions about using wire connectors put on by the factory specialists.
You have to use the proper connector that will twist the wires internally as part of the process. Starting with the wires parallel then twisting within the proper connector to complete the connection. The bigger the conductor the harder that is to happen but there are tools to assist.
Over the years I've seen so many connectors burned up because the wrong one was used causing a poor connection and the resulting heat that can get high enough to melt.
I've also seen electricians add electrical tape to the connectors "just to be more safe".
If wires are properly stripped at the correct length and the proper connector is used, your wasting time and money applying tape afterward.
Down the road a couple of years getting that gummy electrical tape off to repurpose that connection is a major chore. Spent a lot of time cursing quietly while removing that garbage.
 

kirk1978

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As someone in the electrical/electronic business since the 70's, I've had to attend many training sessions about using wire connectors put on by the factory specialists.
You have to use the proper connector that will twist the wires internally as part of the process. Starting with the wires parallel then twisting within the proper connector to complete the connection. The bigger the conductor the harder that is to happen but there are tools to assist.
Over the years I've seen so many connectors burned up because the wrong one was used causing a poor connection and the resulting heat that can get high enough to melt.
I've also seen electricians add electrical tape to the connectors "just to be more safe".
If wires are properly stripped at the correct length and the proper connector is used, your wasting time and money applying tape afterward.
Down the road a couple of years getting that gummy electrical tape off to repurpose that connection is a major chore. Spent a lot of time cursing quietly while removing that garbage.

1/2 the time that added tape is to help hold the wrong wire nut on...
 

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