Help with Wagos

jjnr78 · Jan 8, 2012

New year, new methods, new products. I've just sat and trawled the pages of JBs etc and now my head hurts...a lot. We currently use the blue clicks for our SELV downlight installs. Where we have 3 plate circuits we use the Ashley (coffin style) which have clamps etc. I'm not looking to start a debate on the pros and cons- i've just read ALL about it. I am however interested in trying out the Wago's for lighting installs; we mainly use 12V downlights and more recently LED so i need to allow for solid and stranded conductors, rarely more than 1.5sq mm as we never wire multi gang transformers etc.

So, what might I order for 50 downlights please? I've seen there are various bundles, but I'm trying to convice the guvnor to buy into this and I dont want to be left with surplus items. I'm hoping those with experience can reel off an order list. If you are willing to give an idea of cost or even a cost comparison with screw terminal applications, I'd be v grateful. Thanks

SirKit Breaker · Jan 8, 2012

The Wago's will accept both stranded and solid conductors in the same connector because they have a lever clamp. The smallest ones will accept all sizes up to and including 2.5mm CSA. They are also reuseable. They are ideal for the application that you mention. If you look at the wago website, these things come in all sorts of variations. If i were you i would try either the 3 way or 2 way depending on how many terminations you need to put into each one.

For a box of 100 of each 2 and 3 way, you will get a bit of change out of £50. But it will be money well spent.
You might also want to consider Helacon connectors as well.

Cheers..........Howard

edrobbo8 · Jan 8, 2012

Go to for electricians by electricians and order how many you need, for loop with just switch live and neutral at each light you will need 2 x 3 port connectors, and a 2 port connector for earth (assuming transformer doesn't need earthing). I recommend the lever type connectors.

So if there is 50 downlight with just 1 end, it will be 98 x 3 port, and 53 x 2 port.

Specialist · Jan 8, 2012

Take a look at the Right hand side of the page & click on the Line logo, they give good prices for Forum members.

jjnr78 · Jan 8, 2012

edrobbo8 said:
Go to for electricians by electricians and order how many you need, for loop with just switch live and neutral at each light you will need 2 x 3 port connectors, and a 2 port connector for earth (assuming transformer doesn't need earthing). I recommend the lever type connectors.

So if there is 50 downlight with just 1 end, it will be 98 x 3 port, and 53 x 2 port.

...plus 50 wago boxes? Are the boxes all the same size.

Thanks for the response

EastAnglian · Jan 8, 2012

I use the Wago connectors and love them - and I've just bought some Line cylindrical housings too, which will do the business. However, don't give up on the blue clicks just yet - one real advantage they offer is the ability to disconnect the lamps for replacement and/or testing. When I do a number of down-lighters in a ceiling I usually end up with all the fixed part of the blue click connectors hanging out the holes. It is then a breeze to take one of the mating halves and connect this up to your multi-tester and go along the whole line of connectors to do both dead tests then live tests prior to fitting the lamps.

I then have a fun hour or two sat at a bench wiring the individual lamps or lamps/transformers to the click connectors, then when they are all done I jump on the steps and fit them all in place.

Where the wagos can score is if you use transformers with flying leads instead of screw terminals.

jjnr78 · Jan 8, 2012

Thanks East Anglian. it would seem we work the same way. the clicks are great for testing purposes, maintenance and for keeping the apprentic busy making up the fittings. Stops the materials getting damaged too, by fitting too early. Most of what we use have flying leads so Wago might be the Way-to-go (sorry!:lol

jjnr78 · Jan 8, 2012

I've taken a look at the Line cylindrical things, but they look v awkward, but then thats just comparing them to what we currently use. are they quick, easy and competitive on price?

EastAnglian · Jan 8, 2012

A piece of the proverbial! They are just housings which you slip the wire through first (yes, first, doh!!!!) before connecting up the wago connectors. Pulling the tie-wraps tight is easier than screwing down wire clamps -especially if like me you always drop one of the bloody screws and end up sieving the plaster dust on the floor to find it!

Easier to use than choc-boxes, similar price. [I have used choc boxes with wagos in them - I also use real wago boxes for 'posh' jobs but they can be a bit fiddly as you have to get the wire lengths spot-on :lol: ]

If necessary the Line housings can also take a 20mm grommet seal too.