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Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)
Section - What is a "wire-nut"/"marrette"/"marr connector"? How are they used?

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Top Document: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)
Previous Document: What does "14-2" mean?
Next Document: What is a GFI/GFCI?
See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge

	A twist-on wire connector is a cone shaped threaded plastic
	thingummy that's used to connect wires together.  "Marrette",
	"Marr connector", "IDEAL Wire-nut(R)" are trade names.  You'll
	usually use a lot of them in DIY wiring.

	In essence, you strip the end of the wires about an inch, twist them
	together, then twist the connector on.

	While some connectors advertise that you don't need to twist the
	wire, do it anyways - it's more mechanically and electrically
	secure.  Unless the instructions specifically state otherwise...

	There are many different sizes of wire connector.  You should check
	that the connector you're using is the correct size for the
	quantity and sizes of wire you're connecting together.

	Don't just gimble the wires together with a pair of pliers or
	your fingers.  Use a pair of blunt nose ("linesman") pliers,
	and carefully twist the wires tightly and neatly.  Sometimes
	it's a good idea to trim the resulting end to make sure it
	goes in the connector properly.

	After twisting the connector on, give each wire a tug, and
	make sure that nothing is loose.

	Some people wrap the "open" end of the connector with electrical
	tape.  This is probably not a good idea - the inspector may
	tear it off during an inspection.  It's usually done because
	a bit of bare wire is exposed outside the connector - instead
	of taping it, the connection should be redone.

User Contributions:

1
Dev
In a fire protection circuit, circuts are shown witha no example 6,8,4etc. what it mean?these circuits are connected between smode detector,junction box etc
2
kevin
My daughter dropped a small necklace behind her dresser. The necklace crossed a plug terminal and shorted the receptacle.
I bought a new receptacle and installed the same. I still have no power I suspect there could be a bigger problem,this is aluminum wiring.
I've killed the breaker and call an electrician but am curious as to what happened.P.s. there is a dimmer switch on the same circuit.
3
dennis
Regarding new construction wiring and running 12/2 and 14/3 wire in the same box.

I have multiple switches to lights. Ran 12/2 and 14/3 into switch box and inspector wrote correction needed.

What should I have done instead?

thank you
dennis
4
Robert
Does a grounding electrode facilitate the operation of a OCPD, to clear a ground fault ?
5
@dennis
Assuming you are installing two switches in a two switch box, you probably should have used 14/2 and 14/3 instead of replacing 14/2 with 12/2. If you are only installing one switch in a one switch box, you should only have one cable in the box.
6
P k
I prefer to use nothing smaller than12 awg /the smallest sized wire on a circuit determines the allowable ampacity
Ex: 15 amp-14awg. 12awg-20amp only rule for thumb other factors such as continuous load,heating and others if you do not know the safe NEC rules then please call a qualified journeyman Electrician better be safe

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Top Document: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)
Previous Document: What does "14-2" mean?
Next Document: What is a GFI/GFCI?

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Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:11 PM