I've worked with plenty of products where wire nuts were the intended connection method. I've purchased fluorescent light fixtures that include wire nuts in the package for the installer to use. The wire nuts are not necessarily used for product modifications; they can be for their intended purpose. I've worked on some larger types of equipment where wire nuts were used. In those cases, they were in the proper electrical enclosure or junction box within the equipment. Interchange of options could be done by wiring with the wire nuts. I don't see this as an issue as long as the wire nuts are used within their limitations and in the proper environment. I am not aware of field failures on these products related to the wire nuts.
There are plenty of foreseeable misuses for wire nuts, but all the manufacturer can do is describe the acceptable uses and warn the purchaser against misuse. Redesigning wire nuts to prevent misuse would make them far too expensive to be practical and could lead to more problems. I've seen plenty of wires twisted together and covered in electrical tape because somebody couldn't find a wire nut (or was too lazy to use one.) I'm sure that with plenty of searching you can find photographs and stories of failed wire nuts, but I would venture to guess that successful applications outnumber failed wire nuts by a huge number. Ted Eckert Compliance Engineer Microsoft Corporation [email protected] The opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer. -----Original Message----- From: Bender, Curtis [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2012 2:05 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: What's the deal with Wire Nuts? Ted, If the rewiring or wire splicing is done on a product wouldn't this "simply" be a foreseeable misuse of the product? Product modifications are usually stated as a no-no in the user manual and there are many other methods to misuse a product including the use of wire nuts, ferrules, rewireable plugs and connectors. Or are your referring to building wiring? Curt ________________________________________________________ Curtis Bender | [email protected] my opinion does not reflect the views of my employeer -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2012 12:16 PM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: RE: What's the deal with Wire Nuts? Ferrules might present an equally interesting topic for discussion. Kaz Gawrzyjal -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ted Eckert Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2012 11:07 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: What's the deal with Wire Nuts? I know I'm wading into a sea of troubles by commenting, but here is my opinion. (And yes, it is just an opinion.) Twist-on wire connectors have become ubiquitous in North America. (I believe that "Wire Nut" is a registered trademark of one of the suppliers.) They end up in everybody's toolbox and they are seen as an easy way to splice wires together. The problem is that they are so easy to use that they are often misused. UL 486C covers these types of connectors and UL Recognized connectors can be reliable and durable if used correctly. However, that means reading the instructions and following the local electrical code. There are many easy ways to misuse the products. * Using the wrong connector for the size wires you have. * Stuffing too many wires into one connector. * Tightly twisting the wires before applying the connectors. (Many types specify that the only twisting of the stripped wire ends is done by the application of the connector itself. The wire ends are placed into the connector running parallel and not pre-twisted.) * Overstuffing a junction box placing excessive external force on the connectors. * Overstuffing a junction box resulting in temperatures above the rating of the connector. * Using the connector in environments above their rated temperature. * Using the connectors where subject to excessive vibration. * Using connectors designed only for solid conductors on stranded conductors. Ted Eckert Compliance Engineer Microsoft Corporation [email protected] The opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer. -----Original Message----- From: John Woodgate [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 11:34 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: What's the deal with Wire Nuts? In message <945417426-1349830649-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-548732016- @b13.c21.bise6.blackberry>, dated Wed, 10 Oct 2012, [email protected] writes: > And I really dislike the 100% non-metallic types. > The original British product was called 'Scruit' and was ceramic. Extremely strong, too. Would resist a hammer. -- OOO - Own Opinions Only. See www.jmwa.demon.co.uk The longer it takes to make a point, the more obtuse it proves to be. John Woodgate, J M Woodgate and Associates, Rayleigh, Essex UK - ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to <[email protected]> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas <[email protected]> Mike Cantwell <[email protected]> For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: <[email protected]> David Heald: <[email protected]>
