MDShunk

I just noticed the other week that Ideal is actually putting pretwisting instructions on some of their wire nuts. Check it out:

Speedy Petey

MDShunk

Y'all can feel free to use these images to settle your next anti-pretwisting discussion. I know it comes up from time to time.

Me personally, I don't care how another guy does it, as long as he does a good job. I find it easier to pretwist, is all. I think it helps me perform a good connection every time.

macmikeman

Anybody tried out Arlington's new twister tool? You use it to twist the wires before installing the wirenut, unlike typical wire nut installing devices. They don't have a picture yet on their website so I can't post a link, but it is in the newest catalog

MDShunk

No, but I'm very interested. Do you have the ability to scan in the catalog page?

frank

Is a wire nut like a pre threaded thimble. Think I have come across these during my 'inspections' on US trips.
We used to have something similar here in 30's to 60's. They were called 'screwits' and were made of porcelain. They just sort of disappeared at some point and I don't really know why. I used them as an apprentice and found them practical. useful and functional

Frank

MDShunk

Yes, that's it.

What do you use presently? Crimps? Terminal strips in your boxes?

frank

Terminal strips Marc. If a termination bundle is known to be permanent then the ends would be common crimped and a rubber or plastic oversleeve with a blind end slipped on. Wish we had those 'wire nuts ' though. Such a great idea lost for some reason.


Frank

Pierre Belarge

Marc
This change in instructions could be in response to the number of phonecalls/emails about pretwisting. I do not see it as a "you must pretwist" issue.

Did you notice how they show twisting? I do not like when someone pretwists the conductors so much..not illegal, I just do not prefer it.

JohnJ0906

I think the Buchanans have the same instructions. I'll try to check tommorrow.
OK, I'll try to REMEMBER to check tommorrow

__________________
John from Baltimore
"One day at a Time"
All responses based on the '08 NEC
It's not my fault, it's not my problem, I'm not your solution.

macmikeman

Probably could, but not at least until I fetch one from the wholesale house. If I go there tommorow I will. Basically it looked like a round flat disk with holes in it for the conductors, and a rod connected to the center that you put in your screwgun. Insert the conductors one in each hole, spin away, and cut off the excess. The picture showed a nice tight splice, one that you walk away and never worry about again. Sometimes though, the tools shown do not live up to the hype, thats why I hope somebody has info on its usefulness.

MDShunk

Sounds like you'd have to strip the conductors pretty long to use that tool. I'll keep an eye out for it. Doesn't seem like it would be all that expensive to give a test drive.

macmikeman

Bingo, the picture shows the wire stripped about 3 inches first. They flood the showroom with Arlington catalogs, but only stock a few of the items, so I would have to special order. But I do have carpal trouble and am always on the lookout for new solutions to old aches and pains.

JamesINla

Well, this is an old car stereo install's trick:

Strip off....say bout a fat inch or so. Insert the wires into your chuck on your favorite cordless drill. Clamp the chuck down (make sure both wires are gripped)Give the trigger a few quick squeezes, just make sure the wires are taught. before you spin it. After a while you will get fast at it, it does wear on the chuck a bit but this does work!

MDShunk

Okay, that's what I though. I think this tool would be better suited for some sort of assembly-line operation in a factory rather than the jobsite, but I'll give it a whirl for a bit when I can get ahold of one.