Boy, talk about getting down to basics! Yet, this is where I started, as an apprentice, splicing wires together per directions from my journeyman. But done right?
Anyway, I usually hand twist wirenuts on. If there are more than three wires being spiced, I usually resort to using the partially opened jaws of my wire strippers to grip the wings or ridges of the wirenut for further twisting (approaching the wire nut from the outer end, not from the side -- don't want to be cutting or damaging the insulation). Once I see the insulated portion of the wirenut starting to twist, I figure that all is well.
I often wonder about how frequently we recycle old wirenuts, or re-splice wires that are all scratched up from previous splicing. Seems to me that we should cut and re-strip the wires before re-splicing, but I don't know anyone who does this. Anyone hear of any studies on failures or hot spots caused by all the damaged #12 wires spliced and re-spliced?
As far as which brand or style I use, it varies, depending on what's on sale.
[This message has been edited by Elzappr (edited 02-04-2003).]
