Couple questions for electricians – What does current code say about taping over wire nuts in junction boxes? Should I or shouldn’t I?
Second question – I have about four 12/2 branch lines coming into a two-gang sized junction box, plus the hot line. Should I tie all five lines together directly (and where would I get a wire nut that big?) or should I use a pigtail or two? I’m thinking pigtail, but I’ve been wrong before. lots.
Thx! bb
Replies
Bob,
The NEC does not address this issue. It says use materials according to their UL (or other) listing. The UL listing does not say anything about taping.
Some guys tape in situations where there's heavy vibration, like at a motor lead splice. Most inspectors don't like to see regular splices taped, thinking that it's been done to cover bare conductor exposed past the wire nut (and so a sign of a sloppy job of stripping and lining up the wires as they go into the nut).
So, don't tape.
As far as splicing five AWG 12 wires--and I'm assuming they're solid copper wires--check the wire nut capacity chart. Every bag or box of wirenuts has a "wire combination" chart. Though it's not a standard, every brand-name red wire nut I've seen will handle five AWG 12 solid copper conductors. If the "twist-on wire connectors" ("wire nut" is actually a brand name) you're using are listed for five #12s, I think you'd be better off making one splice rather than jumpering between two splices. And I recommend that you twist the wires together with lineman's pliers, trim, then twist on the wire nut.
Actually, I use a wire nut driver on a cordless swcrewdriver. 3M makes one that's red and has a standard 1/4" hex power drive shaft. 3M also makes one that's mounted on the end of a speed driver handle (a dog-leg screwdriver). Culley has a power driver one too. You'd have to go to an electrical supply house for one.
Work safe,
Cliff
re - Actually, I use a wire nut driver on a cordless swcrewdriver. 3M makes one that's red and has a standard 1/4" hex power drive shaft.
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Thanks to you mentioning this in the past, it is part of my tool kit.
Always keep it in the box of 3M wirenuts - you know, the yellow/red ones.
Had to special order the darn thing after getting countless blank stares at supply houses.
Ended up at a Fastenal outlet in our area to order the thing.
How many cubic inches is the box? Does it have switches or receptacles in addition to the wires? Are there any more wires than the ones you described in it? Box fill limits are an important code issue that needs to be considered.
-- J.S.