From twist-on wire connectors to push-on connectors, there are often quite a few different variants that you can choose from. In this post, we’re going to take a closer look into the push-in options, from the best uses for them to their less-than-ideal aspects.
What are they best used for?
For the most part, a push-on connector will help you to connect your wires with ease. One of the biggest benefits of them is that they let you quickly and easily make connections, without requiring any additional steps. If you’ve got a large project that requires a lot of connectors, they can be a great way to save yourself time and effort. In general, preparation should only take a couple of seconds.
They’re also great for saving space, which is another thing that could be beneficial, depending on the task at hand. Other factors, like being able to get connectors with 2-8 ports, multi-wiring units to avoid overloading and the overall simplicity just make them a good choice for a lot of situations.
However, it is important to remember that it won’t be so easy to disconnect the wires once they’ve been inserted. In most cases, they’re ideal for connections involving solid wire, but they can still work with copper and low-strand count wire too. They can be useful in a variety of situations, but many people will find that one of the best uses for them is light fixtures.
When shouldn’t you use a push-in connector?
On the other hand, it might not be ideal to use a push-on connector for an electrical junction box. If anything needs to be modified, you might end up having no choice but to cut and reconnect wires, which is a hassle you won’t want to deal with if you don’t have to.
Some allow you to remove the wires by pulling and twisting, but it’s usually not the simplest of tasks. If undamaged, they can be reused for other solid wire connections, but it’s not best to reuse them for stranded wire.
It’s uncommon for professional electricians to use these types of connectors, which is another aspect that tends to make them a less than ideal choice. However, for a quick and easy fix to something that you won’t need to come back to any time soon, they can be a worthwhile choice.
Do you need to invest in quality connectors?
In general, whatever the situation, it will be best to take the time to find a good quality push-in connector. It might require a little more cash, but at the end of the day, it’s often worth it to know that you can rely on the connector to do its job.