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How to Install a Wire Nut
I remember a few times digging into old boxes or even into walls to find aged electrical wires twisted, sometimes loosely, with nothing more than electrical tape holding them together.

And maybe these are isolated cases, only found by those of us who like to poke around inside of housey things.  Or maybe, it was just a way they did it … back then.  idk … but this just wasn’t how I came up. Instead, I learned from the beginning that when joining voltage-bearing wires, you use a wire nut.

red wire nut yellow wire nut

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In this article, we’ll cover both How to Install a Wire Nut for a Light Fixture & How to Install a Wire Nut with Line Voltage. For Line Voltage, the Steps are as follows: (Click to jump to any section as discussed below.)

  1. Strip away about 7/8″ on Wire Inusulation
  2. Hold wires to be mated Parallel and Flush
  3. Place the wires just inside Side Cutting Pliers and Twist in a clockwise direction
  4. Take the Side-cutters and Snip off the tips of twisted wires
  5. Screw on the Wire Nut in a clockwise direction.

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But how to install a wire nut properly?

It actually took me many years to know.

yellow wire nut installed

How to Install a Wire Nut for Light Fixtures

As a punch out guy in the late ‘90s, I installed a ceiling fan, a fixture or two. It was easy enough, I’d make sure the power was off at the switch (though the breaker is better) and I’d install the light. Following the instructions that came in packaging, I’d use the orange wire nuts included in almost every box.

In most cases, it was simple – black to black, white to white and ground to green if I could. You hold the thin wire (usually a #14 or #16 stranded wire for the fixture) just a little long of the (line) wire you are tying into and twist away in a clockwise direction. And this was how I learned.

installing-orange-wire-nut

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How to Install a Wire Nut like a Pro :: Line Voltage

* Strip Wire Insulation & Hold Wires Flush

You can do essentially the same thing when tying two voltage-carrying wires together (usually #12 or #14 wire for in-home use). Like most sources suggest, you can start by stripping away about ¾” of insulation (using a wire stripping tool). Then, holding them this time perfectly parallel and flush, again you can twist away.  (Yellows or Reds are typically your choice in wire nuts here.)

3/4" of insulation stripped from wire

And that’s exactly how I did it. That is – until I had the opportunity to work side by side with several real life electricians, a few years back.

* Take Side Cutters and Twist in a Clockwise Direction

Every pro electrician I have worked with uses a slightly different method. But packing a pair of 9″ side cutting pliers (aka side cutters), they’d strip (again using a stripping tool) a little long of that 3/4″ mark – 7/8″ say.  Then, holding the wire’s ends again flush, but set instead inside the teeth of the pliers, they’d use this tool to do their twisting.

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with side cutters strip more

twisting wire with Klein side cutters

twisting wire with Klein side cutters 2

* Snip off Tips & Screw on Wire Nut

Because side cutters are plier-tipped, the tip of wires get marred. But here is the beauty of it, just take those same side-cutters and snip off this damage (yep, about 1/8″). Not only can you now screw your wire nut on effortlessly, you can also be confident that you have a 100% positive and clean connection. Electricians’ Gold!

cutting wire with Klein side cutters

red wire nut

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And there you have it, in my eyes … if you are connecting line to line using a wire nut, it simply can not be done correctly without a good pair of side cutting pliers.

While I usually prefer Ideal‘s wire connectors, here is a best selling assortment on Amazon. A 158-piece for just over $10. Remember to choose the proper size for your job.

This article was originally posted as a partnered post with The Home Depot in conjunction with Klein Tools and featured a giveaway.

About Klein Tools:

  • In its 156th year, Klein Tools is the most preferred brand among electrical contractors – according to a recent study, 81 percent said they prefer Klein over any other electrical tool brand.
  • Klein is teaming up with the world’s largest home improvement retailer, The Home Depot.  Klein Tools is an exclusive partner and brings another iconic American brand into more than 2,200 The Home Depot stores.
  • Klein’s existing and future product lines will be available through The Home Depot, where diyers as well as pros will have access to a full suite of offerings including recently released fish tape sets, conduit benders, glow and fish rod sets, electrical testers, hole-making tools and more.

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Klein Tools D213-9NE (Amazon Affiliate link)

Essential Tool in Focus | Klein’s D213-9NE (on Amazon @ around $30):

  • Known as “Kleins,” these pliers are made from custom, U.S. tool steel and combine precision with durability.
  • The high-leverage design and unique rivet placement creates 46 percent greater cutting and gripping power than other plier designs.
  • Hot riveted joint ensures smooth action and no hand wobble, while handform handles enable full gripping and cutting power.

Good luck & thanks for reading. For additional articles on Essential Skills, please see our Skills category. For more on working with Electrical, well, well our Electrical category. Cheers. ~jb