Replies

1. 
   leftisright | Jul 25, 2008 06:09am | #1

   Bigger wire nut

2. 
   JTC1 | Jul 25, 2008 06:16am | #2

   I start twisting with all 4.

   Strip ~3/4", hold all 4 in left hand - held in a square pattern when viewed from the end.

   Grab all 4 stripped ends with linesman's pliers and twist away.

   Trim any fly away ends when done and screw on the wire nut. I would use a red nut which is listed for 2-5 #14 wires.

   Yank on each wire while holding the nut to be 100% sure.

   Done.

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
1. 
   ravz | Jul 25, 2008 06:24am | #4

   thanks, thats exactly the kind of re-assurance i was looking for.  I was going to ask if i should hold them in a square, but then thought i would sound dumb .. :)

    

1. 
   JTC1 | Jul 25, 2008 06:36am | #8

   Nah.

   Dumb would be telling us that you could do a great job with 2 conductors, then asking which direction you should twist with 4 conductors.

   JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

3. 
   RustyNail | Jul 25, 2008 06:17am | #3

   4 #14s isn't a problem.  Strip slightly long, twist with linesman pliers, cut the #### off the end, wire nut.

   Most wire nut packages show the number/size of wires that are allowed with that particular wire nut...

1. 
   JTC1 | Jul 25, 2008 06:24am | #5

   >> Most wire nut packages show the number/size of wires that are allowed with that particular wire nut...<<

   I think that information is required on the package.

   JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

2. 
   ravz | Jul 25, 2008 06:24am | #6

   thanks!

    

4. 
   handygman | Jul 25, 2008 06:28am | #7

   Wrap the two wires like you said. Strip (do not nick the copper) the third wire longer then the first two and spiral it around the two. Strip the fourth wire longer then the third and wrap, following the spiral. Use the proper wire nut. All of the bare wire must be in the wire nut. Trim the copper if you have to. Then I would wrap electrical tape around the wire nut and the insulation binding them together. Doing #12 wire is not fun

    

   
   

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   Edited 7/24/2008 11:30 pm ET by handygman

5. 
   gfretwell | Jul 25, 2008 06:41am | #9

   The instructions on most wire nuts say you don't have to twist them at all.

1. 
   fingersandtoes | Jul 25, 2008 06:49am | #11

   You don't have to but it's good practice.. I twist the insulated wires for several inches too. Then the cap is just a covering, you don't have to rely on it to keep everything together.

1. 
   gfretwell | Jul 25, 2008 07:14am | #12

   Yeah, what do those silly manufactures know ;-)

6. 
   popawheelie | Jul 25, 2008 06:47am | #10

   I use two pairs of pliers. One to hold them together and the other to twist. I've found that I can get them much tighter this way.

   Strip them so they are stripped to long. What I mean is to much copper will be showing with the wire nut on. After you have them twisted real tight together you can trim the bunch to length for the wire nut.

   If you do this right they are very well in contact with each other.

7. 
   paintguy | Jul 25, 2008 12:33pm | #13

   I am not an electrician

   That being said I have seen some large wire nuts that use a metal sleeve and a screw. The wires go into the sleeve you tighten the screw then it threads into the oversize nut. Is something like that useful or am I way off base?

   Once again not an electrician.

   Jon

   "There is no good answer to a stupid question"
   Russian saying
8. 
   junkhound | Jul 25, 2008 12:43pm | #14

   Use a crimp connector. 

   Once you buy the crimp tool, much easier and more reliable than wire nuts.

1. 
   arcflash | Jul 25, 2008 10:53pm | #15

   Use a Wago brand wallnut, Wago's to the Southeastern electrician. You just strip the manufactuers recommended length (half an inch I think, enough so that the wire is at the very end, with none showing behind the Wago).  They are clear, so you can see if you have a good connection, and much quicker for the production workers. It took a while for me to get used to them, but I can say now that I like them more than wire nuts. No twisting, and you know right away if you have a conductor that isn't making contact with the others. They come in four-way and eight-way. Get the eight-way if you have four conductors plus a pigtail.

   Not for use with stranded wire, or wire above #12.

   Edited 7/25/2008 3:55 pm ET by arcflash

   Edited 7/25/2008 3:56 pm ET by arcflash

9. 
   PedroTheMule | Jul 25, 2008 11:29pm | #16

   How about starting with your 4 square, twist to the best of your ability, fold it back over itself and grab the blue torch and solder - 3 minutes later you have an indestructable connection you can sleep with.....great for grounds......for hot's...forget folding it back and wirenut it.

   Pedro the Mule