WAGO Electrical Connectors

[sourdough]

Has anyone used the Wago lever type electrical connectors? If so what are your thoughts on them? I've got tons of all kinds of electrical connectors but I have never used these things. They look like they could be the cat's meow but won't know until I get them.

https://www.amazon.com/LEVER-NUTS-Co...ps%2C99&sr=8-3

Just came to mind before I butterfly these shrimp....

[chuckster57]

Very common in Grand Designs. I personally like them.

[sourdough]

Thanks Chuck. I'm thinking these may be pretty handy as my mobility and strength in my arms/hands were hugely reduced after my fall off our mountain. Thank you.

[GHen]

I’ve been told by an electrician those little guys could replace the old wing nuts completely.

Only used them a few times, but they do work well.

[jsb5717]

Have used them and love them. Much more secure contact to the wire…especially in a cluster of 3 or more. It’s fairly simple to achieve good contact with 2 wires in a wire nut but with 3 or more there is a better chance for one of the wires to be loose, causing opportunity for a fire.

I’m a fan of the Wago’s.

[JRTJH]

Just remember that they're a "spring loaded, lever actuated compression connection"... Essentially, they use the same "technology" as the quick connect holes on the back of a 15 amp duplex outlet or any other "spring loaded connector"... So, while they do have many applications, I'd suggest that where you would consider using the screws on the side of a duplex outlet instead of the holes on the back, consider the same limitations with these connectors...

They are only as good as the spring laying against the bare wire when you close the lever....

[mjeronimo]

I love them, my Forest River has them. You got 4 wires connected at a Wago—need to remove one-lift the lever it’s out, reinstall close lever done. My old keystone had the clear crimp connections— had to cut it off—restrip -twist -recrimp PITA! You will love the Wago! One more thing buy the real Wago they are UL listed- some of cheap knock-offs aren’t.

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Just remember that they're a "spring loaded, lever actuated compression connection"... Essentially, they use the same "technology" as the quick connect holes on the back of a 15 amp duplex outlet or any other "spring loaded connector"... So, while they do have many applications, I'd suggest that where you would consider using the screws on the side of a duplex outlet instead of the holes on the back, consider the same limitations with these connectors...

They are only as good as the spring laying against the bare wire when you close the lever....

Good point, John. There is a pretty good “snap” that holds the wire fairly securely…they won’t just fall out when connected correctly. However, you don’t want to place them in a situation where there is tension on the wire that might pull the wire loose from the connector. It’s pretty secure in an electrical box but use some caution in an open environment, such as the work we just did in my friend’s 5er in rewiring his landing gear. We made the connections using the Wago’s then gathered the wires together and zip tied them to prevent any pulling against those spring-loaded connections.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

Good point, John. There is a pretty good “snap” that holds the wire fairly securely…they won’t just fall out when connected correctly. However, you don’t want to place them in a situation where there is tension on the wire that might pull the wire loose from the connector. It’s pretty secure in an electrical box but use some caution in an open environment, such as the work we just did in my friend’s 5er in rewiring his landing gear. We made the connections using the Wago’s then gathered the wires together and zip tied them to prevent any pulling against those spring-loaded connections.

Here's the "locking spring mechanism illustrations"... As you can see, the connection is dependent on how tightly the spring clip pushes against the wire. Once locked in place, it won't come loose, but just like every other spring mechanism, it's subject to getting hot from amps heating up the metal and as the spring gets hot, if it should "lose its spring" then the only thing holding the connection is the plastic lever... As plastic gets hot, you get the potential for failure from deformed plastic and loose springs...

Do they work? Yes. Are they as good as mechanically connected screw terminals? IMO, no... YMMV

[sourdough]

For me these would not take the place of screw connections if they were available. In the applications I am looking at (many) the other options are crimp connectors which in my experience have what seem to be about the same issues as the Wagos. I've seen lots of crimps that were marginal at best and then when cutting the wires to replace them you run out of wire length due to having to cut the wires and have to "add a length" to make things work. Hopefully these would eliminate that (or greatly reduce the trouble/effort) so really weighing their effectiveness against those types.

[JRTJH]

I think they'd be "as good as anything else" in a low amp, dry, vibration free connection. Things such as connecting LED lights, speaker wiring behind the stereo, thermostat connections, etc, I wouldn't worry about them. On hydraulic pump connections, high amp electric motor connections (landing gear, leveling systems or slide motors) or on brake connections or attaching a 7 pin cable to the trailer wiring, I'd be leary of using something like this. No doubt, they'd "look much neater than wire nuts wrapped in black electrical tape" or "ring type swedge connectors", but they may not have the same durability in those environments as they do above a new LED overhead light or behind a new running light. YMMV.

[chuckster57]

Grand Designs uses them in the A/C on the 110VAC connections. I guess that’s low enough amps and should stay dry.

[sourdough]

I am going to rewire the way the little LP/CO detector is wired through the back of the kitchen island. I think they'll work fine for that. It will also give me an opportunity to check them out as I install them to see just how good/sturdy they seem.

[Brantel]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Just remember that they're a "spring loaded, lever actuated compression connection"... Essentially, they use the same "technology" as the quick connect holes on the back of a 15 amp duplex outlet or any other "spring loaded connector"... So, while they do have many applications, I'd suggest that where you would consider using the screws on the side of a duplex outlet instead of the holes on the back, consider the same limitations with these connectors...

They are only as good as the spring laying against the bare wire when you close the lever....

We use them by the thousands here at work and have never had one fail. They have obsoleted wire nuts, but splices, and many terminal blocks here. We use the grey style. Lots of torture test videos out there that prove these things are great when properly used.

There are a few that show that if overloaded 4x their rating for extended periods, the entire plastic housing will fall off but the splicing device remains perfectly intact.

[Hblick48]

Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but if I'm splicing that I want to never fail, solder and shrink wrap, and then taped. I learned to solder when I was 9, my dad repaired TV's.

[Leatherman]

I used them adding the side cameras on trailer, fan in the bedroom, switches for the bedroom LED lights. All work great and very fast to install.

[rlh1957]

They are great.
No solder, no crimp, no twist.

There is an WAGO electrical demonstration on YouTube that answers all the questions a novice or an electrical inspector ask.

[flybouy]

I think the best use is when connecting 2 wires of differing types or guages. Most folks, and even some "seasoned" electricians, don't know how to properly connect a stranded wire to romex. This happens frequently with DIY homeowners installing a ceiling fan or light fixture.

[DarnDog]

I have used them professionally since they were first introduced and never experienced any problems. I build industrial equipment and automation for a living and they are really handy in most situations. I keep a few in the glovebox of my truck and toolbox... never know when you have to perform emergency wiring on the side of the road.

If you're concerned about straining the wires, simply place a tie wrap ~1.5" away from the Lever Nut to secure the bundle. I've done this many times and it makes for very neat wiring. I also use a fine-point sharpie and write on the lever Nut for identification.

[jimborokz]

I used them throughout my finished basement on the recessed lighting connecting stranded wire to Romex. Have had zero problems.

I was taught years ago by an electrician to always tape wire nuts because the frequency in the electricity can actually vibrate the nuts loose. These connectors eliminate that issue.