The best tools for making secure and efficient connections are wire connectors.

The best tools for making secure and efficient connections are wire connectors.

The proper connector is required to connect the electrical conductors in a way that is both effective and safe in order to successfully complete electrical circuits in residential, commercial, and industrial construction as well as during maintenance. The kind of connector that should be used to connect two or more wires will be determined by the number of gauges in each electrical circuit.

When choosing a connector, high temperature environments must also be taken into account. Screw-On Wire Connectors – Standard and Wing-Type Screw-On Wire Connectors are the standard method for securing electrical wires made of copper to copper. A secure and safe connection is made by placing the connector over the wires to be connected and twisting it in a firm clockwise direction. To effectively strip the ends of the wires prior to applying the connector, read and carefully follow the instructions.

Additionally, choosing the right screw-on connector for the task at hand must be carefully considered. The gauges and count combination capacities that a particular connector will accept are identified by color-coding them in accordance with established industry standards for Standard and Wing-Type Screw-On connectors.

For applications where temperatures can reach 150 degrees Celsius, a specialized High-Temperature Screw-On Wire Connector is available. Additionally available are economy Screw-On Wire Connectors, which can be used for a wide range of DIY and OEM projects, including new installations, remodeling, and new construction. color-coded to make choosing a size simple.

The Push-In Wire Connector completes the wire connection by simply inserting the stripped wires into the port openings of the push-in connector, as opposed to twisting the wires together with a screw-on wire connector. There are six different push-in connectors, each of which can accommodate 12 to 22 AWG stranded or solid wires and accepts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8 wires, respectively.

Only connections between copper wires are specified. With a left-right twist and pull motion, the wires can be easily removed despite being held in place by stainless steel springs. For more information on Push-In Connectors, please visit the Electrical Basics website.

Nylon Pigtail Closed End Connectors – Inserting the stripped ends into a nylon-insulated, tin-plated, seamless copper metal sleeve and applying a measured amount of crimp pressure to the connector to secure the wires is another method for connecting two or more wires. The nylon pigtail connector accepts both solid and stranded wire and is resistant to corrosion and chemicals.

These nylon pigtail connectors are ideal for vibration-sensitive applications. Nylon pigtail closed-end wire connectors are available in four sizes to accommodate wire combinations of 10 to 22 gauge.

Tap Splices/Quick Splicers: The Tap Splices/Quick Splicers provide a vehicle for splicing (connecting) the ends of two wires of the same gauge without stripping the wires. This can be done in both OEM and DIY applications. Place each unstretched wire end into the ports on either side of the hinged tap splice to complete the splice.

A connecting blade is pressed into the wire insulation by closing the tap splice, making contact with the bare wire conductors and concluding the connection. Tap Splice/Quick Splicers are available in three sizes to accommodate wire gauges ranging from 22 to 18 AWG; AWGs of 12-10 and 16-14 AWG. The maximum voltage ratings for the tap splices are 600 V and 221 F (105 C).