Twist on Connectors

[chippysparks]

So I was reading professional electrician the other evening, and in there was an advert for twist on connectors.

Much like the ones from the 60s/70s? and what you find in all of north America.

Has anyone started using these again? If so are they any good?

My theory been, if the Americans like using these, they must be quick and easy?

Also do the regulations allow for these?

Cheers

 

[Engineer54]

They are total rubbish!! They will snap conductors without you knowing, will cause high resistance joints. I've seen these things used on many projects, and were a cause of continued problems until they were replaced, or the system rewired!! Some of these things are enormous, if for no other reason for not using them, ...they look downright unprofessional.


Fact: These things have been found to be the cause of many domestic house fires and commercial park fires, in the USA. ....Why are they still using these nasty things??
...Pass I've No Idea!!!

 

[Marvo]

The only time I ever use these twist on connector caps is the ceramic/ porcelain type are handy for high temperature connections on PTFE or silicone insulated wiring of temperature probes or sensors. I would say they have no place in an electrical installation.

 

[chippysparks]

Linky IDEAL INDUSTRIES - IDEAL EUROPE PRESS ROOM

 

[sythai]

Tried sample one in local wholesalers today..... not impressed... load of tat :hanged:

 

[Engineer54]

Linky IDEAL INDUSTRIES - IDEAL EUROPE PRESS ROOM

Yep, the very same ones that caused more problems, than i can remember, until they were ditched!!!

See those wings on those ''twisters'' well now imagine just how much force can be applied to a twisted joint and then tell me that's a good thing!!! No-one else uses these things except North America for a reason, there crap!! And where the rest of the world moves on away from these antiquated connectors, the Yanks rarely change anything made in America. The same reason they hang on to the AWG sizes, when everyone else is Metric!!!

One last observation on these ''twister connectors'', US back boxes are in the main significantly larger than our european back boxes and the like. Two of these connectors could well take up all the spare room in our back boxes, ....some you wouldn't even be able to fit one in the box ...lol!!!

 

[Sparky Ninja]

Bought a box of these this morning guys - I'm planning on doing a little experimentation with some rigs.
My opinion is the same as E54's, but people are bringing them into the centre showing them off so I want to do some proper functional tests, whilst sticking to the manufacturers waffle of course.

If you have any evidence or stories of when they've failed and the effects of it then please let me know.

 

[dickturpin]

I've been been a big fan of pushins now for a number of years and recently saw that these twist on connectors have been re-introduced in the UK.
I bought some Ideal twist on connectors ('Twisters' they call them) and have been using them for a couple of months. They are actually a very good connector and I am now using them instead of those horrible strip connectors. They are miles apart from the old porcelain scuits many of us remember. The new ones from Ideal are much much better and give a very good secure connection. You have to use them in an enclosure to meet the regs but that makes them no different to other connectors. They are surprisingly affordable too so I'd definately recommend given them a try. I've seen in my local wholesaler (Neweys) that they also do a gel filled verion which are IP55 rated but I've not tried them yet.......

 

[timbobelfast]

These things are used widley over here in Afghan. Even on a BS installation. Can't say I am happy about there use but when getting materials is an issue you tend to use what you have got.
I like to call them fire nuts LOL.

 

[Dave 85]

I noticed they sell them in my wholesaler now. Couldn't believe what I was seeing, how is this any different from doing a twist and tape connection? Why would anyone use this s**t?

 

[kingeri]

When I moved in to my house, the wiring was a disgrace, and there were srewits everywhere. One or two of them had been used under floorboards etc., with no enclosure. I pulled on one of the cables and the connection just broke apart. These new ones are undoubtedly improved, but re-introducing them is a giant step backwards. Why would you use one of these when there are so many quality and equally fast alternatives around? Laziness?

 

[trev]

My twopennorth, utter crap. I used to see them a lot on wiring we were replacing when serving my time, when you think of the perfectly fit for purpose alternatives to these it boggles the mind that they are being reintroduced.

 

[Engineer54]

Probably the cause of virtually every house fire in the States, you see them in virtually every accessory box, Some of them, are massive winged things, that you wouldn't stand a chance of getting more than one in a standard UK back box... lol!!

Over tighten them and you snap solid cores, under tighten them and they fall off when disturbed, or cause high resistance joints that can melt the modern plastic versions... Leave them to the Yanks, there should be no place for them in the UK or Europe!!!

 

[Silly Sausage]

....... no place for them in the UK or Europe!!!

Or China!

 

[Engineer54]

Or China!

Funnily enough, haven't really seen too many over here, they normally go for oversized strip connectors... One size fits all kinda thing!!! lol!!