Wire Connectors

What are Wire Connectors?

Wire connectors, or wire nuts as they're often referred to, are covers that are used to fasten two electrical wires together. These handy little connectors prevent live wires from becoming exposed or touching metal surfaces, which could cause a dangerous fault or short circuit.

Wire connectors are available in a variety of colors, materials, shapes, and sizes. Some of the most popular wire connectors are the twist-on, push-on, and crimp-on styles. Unlike a lot of electrical wiring projects, working with and using electrical wire connectors is easy for DIY amateur electricians and requires very few tools. As with any electrical project and when using wire connectors, be sure the electricity is shut off to the circuit you'll be working with.

In addition to making sure the electricity is turned off, it's important to select the correct size wire connector for your job. After the connectors are put in place and the electricity is switched back on, the current will obviously reflow through the wires, as well as the connectors, where it will meet with a mild resistance in its flow. This resistance will cause the wires to slightly heat up, causing them to expand. Conversely, when the current flow is stopped, the wires will cool and contract. If the wrong size connector is used, it could pop off when the wires heat and expand or fall off when they cool and contract. This will leave you with exposed wiring, which could lead to big problems. To avoid this issue, be sure the connector being used is rated for the wires it's connecting.

Types of Wire Connectors