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Opinions of Ideal push-in wire connectors

82K views 64 replies 32 participants last post by  chandler48 
#1 ·
For the last 18 months or so I have used nothing but Ideal push-in connectors for wiring connections in J-boxes. They are much easier to install than wire nuts, and, IMO, better for a DIY project in that they are easy to inspect to make sure the wire is installed solidly. I have read up on them, and they use a different connection system than the infamous 'back-stabbed' receptacles. From what I have read, there have been no reports of problems with Ideal connectors. If there is such a report, please post a link because I couldn't find it.

Anyway, one concern that has been raised is that they 'may' not be up to high amp loads. This winter, I ran a 1500W space heater in the basement pretty much 12 hours a day. The circuit was one I ran and connected with Ideals. After the circuit had run for many hours, I opened the J-Box and put a ammeter clamp on the hot wire and got a reading of 14 amps on the circuit. The connectors were cool to the touch and looked exactly the same as the day I had put them in, six months before.

As far as I can tell, these things work as advertised. I know they are rated and approved for connections and are routinely used in new construction residential projects. Please post your opinions on these connectors. Thanks.

Here is a box in my basement with them used for the connections. I used connectors with extra slots so I could add a circuit later.
 

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#43 ·
As far for Ideal push on wire connector that verison is very common used in Europe and have not much issue with them as long you done it right.

{ I have quite few used in France so I am famuair with it }

Merci,Marc
 
#44 ·
For the last 18 months or so I have used nothing but Ideal push-in connectors for wiring connections in J-boxes. They are much easier to install than wire nuts, and, IMO, better for a DIY project in that they are easy to inspect to make sure the wire is installed solidly. I have read up on them, and they use a different connection system than the infamous 'back-stabbed' receptacles. From what I have read, there have been no reports of problems with Ideal connectors. If there is such a report, please post a link because I couldn't find it.

Anyway, one concern that has been raised is that they 'may' not be up to high amp loads. This winter, I ran a 1500W space heater in the basement pretty much 12 hours a day. The circuit was one I ran and connected with Ideals. After the circuit had run for many hours, I opened the J-Box and put a ammeter clamp on the hot wire and got a reading of 14 amps on the circuit. The connectors were cool to the touch and looked exactly the same as the day I had put them in, six months before.

As far as I can tell, these things work as advertised. I know they are rated and approved for connections and are routinely used in new construction residential projects. Please post your opinions on these connectors. Thanks.

Here is a box in my basement with them used for the connections. I used connectors with extra slots so I could add a circuit later.
I just found these during a browsing at Home Depot. The package says you can use them on stranded wire. Some posts say you can't.
I want to use them on #12 Stranded wire. Is this possible and also advisable?

I can see where they will work fine on solid but wonder about stranded but if the stranded wire is twisted really good and #12, looks like it should push into these quite well.

Advise please.

Tom
 
#45 ·
This thread is from 2009. You would be better off starting a new thread. There have been several threads on this board about these connectors, but none about their use with stranded wire that I am aware of. Personally, I think they are good devices and will definitely continue to use them. I have never used them on stranded wire, but if the manufacturer's instructions say you can then the UL testing has been performed to verify it and they should be fine.
 
#48 ·
In the past, I have only used Wago's when they come on high hats and when a wire in the box was too short. But I started using these all the time:



The straight thru design works PERFECT when doing services/panel upgrades and you need to extend the branch circuit conductors.
 
#49 ·
I have used the "Ideal" brand connectors for years with success. But--I have now found these connectors made by "WAGO" ( I am not affiliated with WAGO) and believe they are better than the Ideal for mainly these reasons: You lift the little orange part, insert your solid or stranded wiring, which does not need to be stripped, and close the little orange arm thingy. That simple. IF you need to remove any wiring you just lift that one orange arm thingy and the wiring is released. They are UL/FM approved. I first ran across these in an industrial setting where we would have to change machine components out often and started using them in my business.
 
#53 ·
That PDF is from 2006 and the model numbers are different than what you can buy today.

If you check the link I posted above or look at the package of the current In-Sure push in wire connectors, you will see that they are rated for solid or stranded with no mention of them being tinned.
 
#55 ·
I understand, and as I said, the PDF you posted is 6 years old and those model connectors are not what you are buying today.

The normal 2, 3, and 4 port connectors that are on the shelf today are models 32, 33, and 34. You can view them here:

http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=in-sure

Here is the PDF that I posted above that lists the connectors that you buy today: http://www.idealindustries.com/media/pdfs/products/specsheets/in-sure_push-in_32-34.pdf

As you can see, there in no requirement for the conductors to be tinned.
 
#63 ·
I just started using them... based on a recommendation from someone in here. They seem to work fine and sure have helped me out in some of the tight wiring boxes I have run into in an older apartment complex and motel. Needed to upgrade kitchen countertop receptacles to GFCI's. Replacing the old wirenuts with the ideal connector would give me just enough extra space.
 
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