Wire nuts?

[wward]

When are wires too big for wire nuts?

[Paul W. Abernathy]

When they exceed the listing of the wire nut. Most all manufactures will list how many wires of specific size can be used on the different size wirenuts.

This is why they make many size wirenuts.

[tdietrich1]

Good point, Paul. Always follow the manufactures sizing requirements. I typically, in newer homes run into tans and greys. They are easy to remember how many conductors they can connect together.

However, if I run across wire nuts that I don't know about off the top of my head, I look at how it's put together. Is there any visible metal? Do the wires look like they are about to pop out? Is the wire nut deformed, discolored, an indication of a possible overheating? In an inspection, the only wire nuts I run across are those in a panel, typically used to extend short wires so only 2 wires, and ones not in boxes, an automatic flag. So without looking up specs, and gauging all the wires, you can hopefully identify wire nuts over stuffed.

imho,

tom

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol...also if you are doing new inspections, on some overloaded wire nuts you simply tug on them and they come apart which is a good sign it is not sized properly.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

I have a wirenut guide somewhere...believe it or not and if I find it I will post it.

[tdietrich1]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

lol...also if you are doing new inspections, on some overloaded wire nuts you simply tug on them and they come apart which is a good sign it is not sized properly.

IMHO,

If I'm doing "work" on an electrical system, I'll get my hands in their and I've found many wires not properly connected this way. However, in an inspection, where no work is to be done, I do not tug at wires or nuts. My wire and nut tugging fees are a little higher.

tom

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol......amazing enough I get some inspections on new constuction where they did not hire me as the electrician. I inspect the work for compliance and checking in boxes and so on....i tug here and there....

[tdietrich1]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

i tug here and there....

Way too much information, and I hope you bring wet wipes too.

tom

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lololool.........you are a trip Tom...lol







Disclaimer- If the LOL's offend anyone please understand it is MY life and I choose to type any way I would like. Lol's are harmless, would it be better to spend the BASHERS time on world peace and world hunger versus bashing me over LOL's and TEEHEHEEHEH's

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

I have a wirenut guide somewhere...believe it or not and if I find it I will post it.

Does it have a picture of the first .
I think they where made out of porcelain and very strong .
Have not seen one in years .

I see they still make them ( Added later )
Roy Cooke

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Roy,

I was talking about a Wirenut Guide from a manufacturer on paper, I used to have one on a slide when I was teaching residential wiring in the apprentice program.

Ahhh...you are talking Porcelain guides...man you are DATING yourself their fella...

Here is a link to all of them basically..if anyone wants it

http://www.hudsonfasteners.com/wire_nut/wn_wing_nut.htm

The links at the bottom will take you to the various styles and so on.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Personally...I miss the days when me and my brother would Solder all our joints....ahhh...those were the days.

In the house we are wiring right now I was going to solder the joints...but I will on the next one as it gets kinda slow in the winter for us.

[wward]

Thanks for all the advise but I need to paint a clearer picture.

The meter can has been moved to a different wall due to build out.
At the old spot there is a box with wire nuts continuing all circuits to new panel.
My question is do you allow #6 aluminum or # 5 copper to be twisted under a blue wire nut?
What is the biggest size conductor to use wire nuts on before going to split bolts?
I also kicked another house for the neutral feeding a 100 amp sub panel being under a blue wire nut.

[tdietrich1]

Whitley,

Flag that bad boy. Copper and AL under an unapproved wirenut is a serious problem. Without going into sizes, the application of the wrong connector is enough to 'defer to a qualified electrician for evaluation'.

imho,

tom

[Paul W. Abernathy]

OK......yeah major clarrification was needed here as I think we all just through you were asking about wirenuts in general...

Yes, many LARGER blue wirenuts ( see my images above -3rd one ) will allow (2) # 6 Conductors to be spliced using BLUE connector. Ah I doubt you are looking at a # 5 AWG Copper...probably a # 8 which is also fine.

Usually you are looking at (2) # 6 being the largest wirenut I am aware of but again could be otherwise...but I have never used one on anything larger than # 6.

Wire nuts are limited again by the manufacturer , split bolts ( insulated or propertly wrapped ) can range in all sizes so thats not a easy question to answer.

But if you want an OPINION.....anything larger than # 6 AWG having more than (2) conductors in it I would defer....as you did on the 100A panel grounded conductor.

again those are MY opinions and not gospel, If you are talking about a CU to AL connection......flag it and let the EC determine if that is an approved connection.......