ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Wire nuts

There is a huge company around these parts that only uses Scotch Lock wire nuts. From what I heard, they are less expensive and they order them in bulk. I have never really cared that much for the soft Scotch Lock wire nuts because they seem to be only to be able to be used effectively once most of the time. I also have run across them sometimes not backing off a joint and got a 277 zap because of it one time when my kleins dug through one when I gave it a squeese which sometimes works when you can't back them off. Personally, I much prefer wing type wire nuts, but I was wondering if anyone out there had an opinion on this.

We use Ideal tan Twisters for most applications. They hold a wide range of sizes, they grip great, you don't have to pretwist, but we do for anything over 2 wires. I've never liked Scotch Lock nuts and will never buy them.

Can someone post a pic of the Scotch Lock connectors? I've use the red 'Scotch-Locks' for the low voltage wiring and they work great. I highly recommend them. For all the other applications, we use the Ideal 'Can-Twist', they are blue with wings and seem to be the same as the Tan ones described by EE. They are an all in one connector and hold a range of sizes that the 31-33-35 marrettes do and they work great for low voltage connections to boot.

Sandro.

[This message has been edited by Sandro (edited 10-21-2003).]

I prefer either the Bucannan B2 or the 3M red with the yellow skirt.

Jim,

I like the one with the yellow skirt too!
Couldn't find a picture of one when I looked.

Bill

Now that I see the picture. I hate those stupid scotch lock type.

You are right Gunther about how they never untwist off of the wire. You have to squeeze and turn them with your Linemans.

I like the Ideal's with the wing, Yellows and Reds.

Tev

From want I gather, the scotch loks were redesigned so you can take them back off again, without pliers, what a pain! I like the tan twisters too, but they need to be re-designed too. Anything more than 3 #12s they bulge out. I guess I am still old school and prefer #73,74,76 orange, yellow, red from Ideal.

Yal sound funny talking about yellow skirts and blue ones with wings...ha ha.

We use the red Buch's B2. Has anyone ever had their forearm muscle (what is that a tricep?) curl up and lock after twisting too many wire nuts? Say after tying in 100 cans? Ouch!

Happi_man..... YES! and, after a while the top skin layers of my thumb and finger start to peel from twisting too many wire connectors with bare hands.