NSIIndustries, LLC Easy-Twist Push-In Wire Connector, 4 Wires, Clear (Box of 75) - PIWC-4-C

This does just exactly what the manufacturer claims. It works with a wide range of both solid and stranded wire. The connection is solid. Two spring loaded barbs hold the wire very firmly against a dimpled plate. It is important to get each wire fully inserted under both barbs. It can seem a bit difficult to get lighter-gauge stranded wire started under the first barb. At least I did the first few times I tried. I found that a very small bladed screw driver will fill up part of the "funnel" and prevent the wire from bending. For some reason, I no longer need to do this. Proper stripping length is important, and it is shorter than my old habit.It is so easy to use these, it seems ludicrous to say, but I practiced with various sizes and types of wire, then I cut the connectors open to inspect the wire and the connections. It is easy to visually inspect. A VOM can be easily used to test continuity and voltage.Is there a negative? At first I thought that the fact there is no way to remove a wire from the connector once it is fully inserted was going to be a problem. After all, I don't want to cut every wire, strip again, and insert into a new block. I then discovered that using side cutters to snip the four retainer bars at the end the wires are inserted permits the cover to slide off and the two metal pieces to fall apart, freeing the wires cleanly. Just use another connector to reconnect and throw the old one away.Then there is the fact that you may use a three position connector when it turns out you need a four-position. Use the same solution to remove the small connector and replace with the size needed.I tested multiple connections made with these connectors compared to wire nuts (several brands.) The connections made with these connectors were uniformly consistent. This is remarkable with 5 or 6 conductors, and even more remarkable when the conductors are different sizes. I have "repaired" many professionally installed wire nuts that did not capture all of the conductors properly. The visual assurance that each conductor is fully inserted is very reassuring. These are definitely a large improvement over wire nuts.

These connectors are a welcome relief from straining to properly install wire nuts, only to find that one wire is not properly secured. I always test connections after making them and these connectors always feel really solid. If you pull *hard* on a wire while twisting it, it will come out of the connector, and that means you can pull it apart and put it back together if necessary.From reading up on this I understand these should not be used for high current connections, as they don't have enough contact surface for such current over time. But for lights, etc., they work great.I have seen a number of wire nuts installed by licensed electricians become very loose to the point of dropping off, and that is a real fire danger.These do work on stranded wire, but contrary to the write up, only if you tin the wire first. That really isn't that difficult, and it does stop fraying.

If you are a do it yourself electrician, these are a must!! They are awesome!

I need to do some quick wiring jobs and didn't want to use wire nuts or solder the connections.These worked out perfect.