Hello all!
I would like to know your opinion for the following splice:
The connection is for line voltage smart thermostat (240v - 20 Amp) of 20+ year old wiring, the solid wires are very rigid, non flexible and are tightly pre-twisted together in previous installation, what is the best practice to splice a 14 gauge stranded (coming from the the smart thermostat) to these twisted 3 solids of 12 gauge.
Which approach is the best?
1- Twist the strands of the stranded wire (1X - 14 gauge), cut it 1/8 inch longer than the pre-twisted bundle of the solid wires (3X - 12 gauge) and put the wire nut on and twist, tug the wires to test the connection.
2- Wrap the strands of the stranded wire (1X - 14 gauge) around the pre-twisted bundles of solid wires (3X - 12 gauge) then put the wire nut on and twist, tug the wires to test the connection.
3- Cut the old pre-twisted solid bundle (3X - 12 gauge), make new bare wire on all three (leave them straight - no pre-twisting), line them up with the stranded wire being about 1/8 inch taller than the solid wires, then put on the wire nut and twist, tug the wires to test the connection.
Also when removing old wire nuts, sometimes I notice there is some nicks from internal spring of wire nut on the solid wires, what is your opinion? is this acceptable to be reused or it is better to make new bare wire?
P.S: Ideal Tan Twister (341) wire nut is being used.
Thanks
I would like to know your opinion for the following splice:
The connection is for line voltage smart thermostat (240v - 20 Amp) of 20+ year old wiring, the solid wires are very rigid, non flexible and are tightly pre-twisted together in previous installation, what is the best practice to splice a 14 gauge stranded (coming from the the smart thermostat) to these twisted 3 solids of 12 gauge.
Which approach is the best?
1- Twist the strands of the stranded wire (1X - 14 gauge), cut it 1/8 inch longer than the pre-twisted bundle of the solid wires (3X - 12 gauge) and put the wire nut on and twist, tug the wires to test the connection.
2- Wrap the strands of the stranded wire (1X - 14 gauge) around the pre-twisted bundles of solid wires (3X - 12 gauge) then put the wire nut on and twist, tug the wires to test the connection.
3- Cut the old pre-twisted solid bundle (3X - 12 gauge), make new bare wire on all three (leave them straight - no pre-twisting), line them up with the stranded wire being about 1/8 inch taller than the solid wires, then put on the wire nut and twist, tug the wires to test the connection.
Also when removing old wire nuts, sometimes I notice there is some nicks from internal spring of wire nut on the solid wires, what is your opinion? is this acceptable to be reused or it is better to make new bare wire?
P.S: Ideal Tan Twister (341) wire nut is being used.
Thanks