Thoughts on WAGO connectors

[cbisson]

I've been checking out WAGO connectors and have been wondering if any of you have an opinion good or bad, or if anyone has used them with a good or bad result. They've been out for quite a while but I've just stuck with wire nuts. There's plenty of stuff in forums and on youtube, both good and bad, but you never know who's posting this stuff or their incentive to do so.

Thanks,

-Craig

 

[Light in the Dark]

WAGO makes a good connector. They are more convenient to me than wire nuts. Depending on the application though, I am more of a fan of those little heat shrink solder sleeve crimpless butt connectors. All you need is a good heat source (air gun, torch, etc) and you can have a properly soldered, very weather resistant mend in almost no time flat.

 

[Evvy Fesler]

What was it that the Army depot operations drilled into tech's heads? Good mechanical connection first and then good electrical connection. Twist and turn before you solder or cap!

 

[fb40dash5]

I just rather recently learned about them myself.

My MEP-831's added-on junction box has a couple of them splitting up the neutral to each circuit, which was way easier & more secure than wire nuts. I'm generally a fan of uninsulated crimps, or solder, covered in heatshrink... but trying to join 3x 10ga wires woulda been difficult that way. Taped-over Wago is easy.

They were also very handy grabbing my M1101 when I needed to convert the wiring in a parking lot in a few minutes. Cut, strip, click, done.

 

[Light in the Dark]

They absolutely have a place in the toolbox.

 

[87cr250r]

Most of us aren't experienced enough to determine which size wire nut should be combined with our combination of wires. Wago eliminates this guess work. They're good.

If you don't like new technology, these are option 2.

Set Screws

www.idealind.com

Very common in the marine industry. They are limited on how small you can go, 18ga and smaller wire in light fixtures is a no-go. They're perfect for small motors and such, though.

 

[Guyfang]

Here in Germany, WAGO is about the only thing we use anymore. Over the last 10-15 years, they have continuously improved the WAGO line of products. I have about a million connecting devices in my handy, dandy junk box, and 99.99% of them are WAGO.

 

[kendelrio]

We use them offshore for the RS232/485 connections on our fiber optic units for my robot. Personally I like them.

 

[KN6KXR]

I've installed a lot of these. The only failure I've ever seen is when the push type (not the lever type) has been used on a solid wire that has some kinks in it (was in a wire nut previously). The contact was poor, it overheated and opened the circuit. Ever since finding that I always make sure I have a nice new stripped straight wire to push in them. They work great and are a major time saver for trim out work. Much more positive repeatable connection that a wire nut and don't mangle the conductors.

In weather applications (like generators) I prefer polaris connectors for #8 and larger; fast on crimp with heat shrink for #10 and smaller. YMMV.

 

[Karl kostman]

WAGO connectors work great but the same rules apply as to any other good connector, make sure your wire ends are clean and prepped and use doe diligence when fastening them down, they work good!
The other connectors that have the shrink wrap and the solder inside sure do seem to work good and I dont thing you can get a more handy and easy to use connector. I have used around 50 of them so far in the last year and every one gives a great solid weather tight connection, I cannot speak for long term quality but so far they are 100 percent!

 

[G744]

WAGOs do stranded wire better than wire nuts in my observations.

 

[87cr250r]

They can combine stranded and solid wire which nuts are not rated to do.

 

[Light in the Dark]

They can combine stranded and solid wire which nuts are not rated to do.

Spoons aren't rated to take a mans eye out either, but here we are in 2023.

 

[87cr250r]

Maybe people don't like Wago because they can't put tape on them. I don't know who started the habit of taping wire nuts but please, cut it out.

 

[G744]

Spoons aren't rated to take a mans eye out either, but here we are in 2023.

I'd be careful just who I eat with...

 

[G744]

Next thing you know, someone will try and tell me Arc Fault outlets/breakers are actually a good thing...

 

[Guyfang]

We are breaking new ground for me. This is something I have never seen in Germany. A GFI, yes. Arc Fault outlets? Nope.

 

[kloppk]

Our daughter has the AFCI's in her breaker panel. They suck.
Constantly tripping when they shouldn't. Plugging a simple fan in causes them to trip.

 

[G744]

2018 NFPA electrical code for virtually every outlet in a house other than 30A ones. Supposedly because of fatalities from electric blankets...

Yep, they are a weight-loss item, from all the exercise one gets running back & forth to your breaker panel.

Tell her to call someone to take them out & replace them with conventional breakers. They fetch good $ on eBay, btw.

 

[87cr250r]

My house has a main story and a mostly finished basement. I'll be using sub panels at each level. No running upstairs and down.

If you need a source for conventional breakers let me know. We haven't gone arc fault or GFCI in the marine industry. Industrial suppliers are available to support other configurations.