Wire nuts offer a simple and effective way to connect wires. Also known as twist-on wire connectors, they consist of a tube with a conductive interior. To connect two or more wires, you can insert the exposed ends of the wires into a wire nut. Twisting the wire nut will then wrap the exposed ends of the wire together.
What Are Wire Nuts Made Of?
Wire nuts are available in different materials. Most of them are made of plastic. They feature a plastic shell that’s lined with a conductive interior. With that said, some wire nuts are made of ceramic. Ceramic wire nuts cost more than plastic wire nuts, but they are able to withstand higher temperatures.
Why Do Some Wire Nuts Have Tabs on the Side?
You may discover that some wire nuts have tabs on the side. These tabs or “wings” are designed to reduce muscle fatigue. Installing dozens or even hundreds of wire nuts can leave your hands feeling tired. With tabs, you’ll have an easier time twisting wire nuts. Wire nuts with tabs on the side are also known as wing nuts.
What Do Colored Wire Nuts Indicate?
Wire nuts are oftentimes color-coded. You can find them in gray, blue, orange, yellow and red colors. Like with other types of connectors, these colors indicate the supported wire size. Gray-colored wire nuts can typically support wires ranging from 22 to 16 American Wire Gauge (AWG), whereas red-colored wire nuts can typically support wires ranging from 18 to 10 AWG.
How Do You Remove Wire Nuts?
Wire nuts are removable. You can remove them by twisting them in the opposite direction than the direction in which you installed them. All wire nuts require twisting to install. Twisting will force the ends of the wires to wrap around each other. If you installed a wire nut by twisting it in a clockwise direction, you can remove it by twisting the wire nut counterclockwise.
Why Are Wire Nuts So Popular?
There’s no denying the fact that wire nuts are popular. They’ve been around for nearly a century. Since then, wire nuts have become recognized as one of the leading types of wire connectors. For starters, they are easy to install, requiring nothing more than a twisting action with exposed wires. Wire nuts are also reliable. As long as you use a wire nut in the right size, it will hold the exposed wires together.
