Wago type connectors

[Kram]

These seem to be recommended so got a packet from wilko. These

Terminal Blocks & Strips | Connector Blocks | wilko.com

Secure your wires at home safely with wilko's range of terminal blocks and strips. Shop for 12-way terminal blocks - suitable for up to 30 amps of current.

www.wilko.com

When using stranded wire in screw terminals, I'd normally put a boot ferrule on first, question is it a good idea with these or is stranded wire better plain?

 

[brightspark]

stranded plain is better providing you twist the cores before fitting in

 

[armalites]

If you get the Wago 221 model they are suitable for solid and stranded and I think they are better than the ones listed above as they are clear so you can see the wire is fully inserted and they are a smaller profile.

When you first use them they are a revelation, sure they cost but if you buy a box of 2,3 and 5 way you have everything you'll ever need for most situations.

I've recently been using some nice IP rated Wiska junction boxes that come with a set of Wago 221 in them. You need to buy the glands to go with them but they are lovely to use. I ran the lights in my workshop using H07 cable(heavy duty rubber) and it takes literally minutes when using Wagos.

They are so useful, brilliant if want to quickly power something to test without fitting a plug, I've got a lead with a 3 pin plug 3 Wagos on on the other end. Great for testing a light fitting before you put it up on the ceiling.

 

[Dave-sparks]

It doesn't mention a brand name there so they may well be one of the imitations of genuine wago's.

Personally I will only trust genuine wago connectors, but I know a lot of people use the cheap copies.

 

[pressbrake1]

I first came across them in France twenty years ago, what a revelation they were!

 

[brightspark]

i fit a lot of fire rated downlighters fitted with them. it. more than halves the time fitting than the standard screw strip connectors

 

[Barking Mat]

Yep, game changer, an expression I hate.

Thousand times better and quicker than dominoes.

 

[Kram]

Personally I will only trust genuine wago connectors, but I know a lot of people use the cheap copies.

I can say the spring on these is strong and I dont think theres any chance of a wire pulling out.. seem adequate.

 

[Dave-sparks]

I can say the spring on these is strong and I dont think theres any chance of a wire pulling out.. seem adequate.

Good, but I will still stick to the name brand option.

There's no chance of the wire pulling out in a properly made joint because the strain relief provided for the cable will prevent that. The connector itself is not subject to any strain in a properly made joint.

 

[123hotchef]

I first came across them in France twenty years ago, what a revelation they were!

Like wire nuts I discovered in the USA 20 years ago!

 

[armalites]

Like wire nuts I discovered in the USA 20 years ago!

You'll be using Scotch-Locks next

 

[daleyd]

Like wire nuts I discovered in the USA 20 years ago!

I “discovered” those when I went to Canada to commission some American made machinery about 15 years ago, they were in some big 3 phase motor terminal boxes joining the wires from the motor to the drives. I quickly “undiscovered” them as they are horrible compared to the usual motor terminal blocks you usually see over here.

 

[123hotchef]

I “discovered” those when I went to Canada to commission some American made machinery about 15 years ago, they were in some big 3 phase motor terminal boxes joining the wires from the motor to the drives. I quickly “undiscovered” them as they are horrible compared to the usual motor terminal blocks you usually see over here.

they are horrible sometimes the wires snap when you look at them funny! I found them doing some work on the inlaws place

 

[daleyd]

they are horrible sometimes the wires snap when you look at them funny! I found them doing some work on the inlaws place

I couldn’t believe they actually used them! Though they had some old machines that had been there a while so I guess they must do a job - but they didn’t fill me with confidence!!

 

[123hotchef]

I couldn’t believe they actually used them! Though they had some old machines that had been there a while so I guess they must do a job - but they didn’t fill me with confidence!!

I had to ask the Father in law what they were, he was in the building trade, they still use them apparently

 

[bigegg]

John Ward (YouTube) did a test of the Chinese "wago" copies - basically fed a couple of hundred amps through them from a welder.
They seemed to hold up OK.

Wago also do a less chunky version which are more useful inside pattresses/small junction boxes.

I also bought some of these:



which I'm finding incredibly useful for splicing in Sonoff Smart relays under floorboards.
(I basically wire up the sonoff with a length of earth cable and 2core flex into one of these on each end, then I can just cut the feed to a light or socket and click the cables in).

 

[Onoff]

When first using Wagos you think "great, a replacement for the old screw terminal chocolate blocks".

I'd finished in a house, all but the loft. When I got up there I did a visual, had covers off then thought I'll change that batten lamp holder. Didn't have one so figured I'd leave safe and slapped a 3-way Wago on the end of the cable.

Next day started my dead tests. IR was a revelation. 0 MOhms between L,N & E.

Slow realisation they're not the same as chocolate blocks.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I had to ask the Father in law what they were, he was in the building trade, they still use them apparently

Still very much in use out there, and they have quite a following for some bizarre reason. On some things the yanks are very resistant to change.
We used to use them over here too, not entirely sure when they were phased out but it was donkeys years ago, I've got some kicking about.

Could explain why they are so hot on AFDDs out there. Just saying...

 

[dobbslc]

Like wire nuts I discovered in the USA 20 years ago!

Yes that was live under my boys bedroom floor

I had to ask the Father in law what they were, he was in the building trade, they still use them apparently

We used to call them pigs dicks!

When first using Wagos you think "great, a replacement for the old screw terminal chocolate blocks".

I'd finished in a house, all but the loft. When I got up there I did a visual, had covers off then thought I'll change that batten lamp holder. Didn't have one so figured I'd leave safe and slapped a 3-wag Wago on the end of the cable.

Next day started my dead tests. IR was a revelation. 0 MOhms between L,N & E.

Slow realisation they're not the same as chocolate blocks.

I did the same first time too!
Thing is it's pretty obvious how they work but I still put live neutral and earth away in one connecter.

 

[Onoff]

Like wire nuts I discovered in the USA 20 years ago!

Dog's c***ks.