[Toller]

http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=in-sure&div=0&l1=push-in

Little plastic connectors that you just shove the wire into. I bought some years ago, but never used them; they just seemed like a novelty. But I have many trios of #12 to connect, and I have never gotten good at that.

 

[Missouri Bound]

They are primarily for use in situations where the connections are to be permanent....ie: not ever disconnected. I've used them within devices, control panels and other equipment but never in field wiring.

 

[mpoulton]

For more than 3 wires, I think they're great. For 2 or 3, I think wire nuts are better.

 

[Toller]

For 2 I wouldn't consider them; twisting two is easy. Even 3 #14 is easy; but it takes me 5 minutes to get a decent twist on 3 #12. So as long as they are sound and I already have them...

Thanks

 

[rrolleston]

They kinda remind me of the idea of back stabbing a receptacle.

 

[parman]

Yes they work.

I still prefer wirenuts.

When they first came out, we had problems with them not holding well and wires would pop out resulting in troubleshooting a lot of connections. I say this because you said you bought some years ago.

Newer ones have been much better

 

[jbfan]

They have there uses.
I mainly use them for ballast change outs, and wiring that was cut too short in the box.

 

[mpoulton]

For 2 I wouldn't consider them; twisting two is easy. Even 3 #14 is easy; but it takes me 5 minutes to get a decent twist on 3 #12. So as long as they are sound and I already have them...

Thanks

What wire nuts are you using, and how? This sounds like a technique issue. 3 #12 under a yellow wire nut is pretty easy...

 

[mikegp]

My house was wired completely using those. They are VERY hard to pull out using pliers, so I wouldn't worry about any issues. Don't know about the older ones though. They also keep everything very neat in the box. I still use wire nuts.

 

[jeffnc]

They kinda remind me of the idea of back stabbing a receptacle.

I've read electrical books that recommend against back wiring receptacles. Those same books have no problem with these new connectors.

With respect to wire nuts, if you get the kind with wings, you shouldn't have much problem tightening them down even with 12g wire.

 

[Olsy]

Ive used thousands of these over hundreds of appartments without a single problem with one of these...i too prefer a wire nut, but these are easier, faster and there is less chance of a poor splice

My .02 cents