Wago electrical connectors

[bungeejumper]

Just had my first encounter with push-in electrical connectors, and it's left me with some questions. Are they okay with thin braided cables, as distinct from thicker ones?

The reason I ask is that we had an LED flat-panel light go dead in a rental premises, and as I quickly established, the transformer had given up the ghost. Not a big deal, of course, because the whole unit isn't expensive to replace. But the electrician's choice of connectors surprised me.

Obviously, push-in connectors such as Wago are most commonly used for mains cables with solid cores, which was what carried the juice from the switch. So far so good. But the onward wire into the 40 volt DC transformer was thin braided stuff - and I mean thin and floppy, like you'd find on a bedside lamp.

Sure enough, it hadn't lodged well in the Wago and it pulled out much too easily for my taste as soon as I lifted the levers. (This Wago was a model 222.) With several broken strands. Is that really regarded as a zero-maintenance connection that can be permanently concealed? Have to admit that I replaced it with an old-fashioned screw-type connector. Will think again if that's what people here recommend.

TIA

BJ

[y0rkiebar]

and it pulled out much too easily for my taste as soon as I lifted the levers. (This Wago was a model 222.)

The cable is supposed to come out easily with the lever lifted, was the cable tight/secure with the lever down ?
The model 222 is suitable for 0.08 - 4mm² cables, quite a wide range. I use them for home projects and the like.

[Urbandreamer]

I've not used that model before, but Wago leaf connectors have a good reputation in the industry.

The sort we used clipped to a "Din" rail. You inserted a terminal driver/screwdriver into a hole to release the spring tension. Pushed the wire in. Then removed the terminal driver.

The point is that there is a spring force maintaining the electrical connection, unlike screw terminals.

Obviously there should not be anything causing the wire to move, but the spring will attempt to accommodate such things as materials changing with temperature, Back in the 80's maintenance instructions for machines were to attempt to tighten all screw terminals every 12 months.

If something does cause the wire to move then the flexing is likely to cause strands to fail at any connection. This would be true for screw terminals as well.

That's why cable relief clamps are fitted.

[Grumpsimus]

I have used WAGO 222 connectors with no problems.

Connecting very thin multi-strand wire can often be difficult, regardless of the type of connector used - WAGO or screw terminals. From your description it sounds as if the original connection hadn't been done very well.

Personally I prefer to use WAGO rather than screw terminals, which have a tendency to loosen over time. I have seen the WAGO 222 inline connectors used to extend speaker cables, very quickly and easily.

[bungeejumper]

Thanks all! Really helpful. I might reinstate the 222 after all, then. But I reckon I'll put some solder into that braided flex, just to give it a bit more body.

BJ

[pochisoldi]

I have used WAGO 222 connectors with no problems.

Connecting very thin multi-strand wire can often be difficult, regardless of the type of connector used - WAGO or screw terminals. From your description it sounds as if the original connection hadn't been done very well.

Personally I prefer to use WAGO rather than screw terminals, which have a tendency to loosen over time. I have seen the WAGO 222 inline connectors used to extend speaker cables, very quickly and easily.

Bootlace ferrules (insulated or uninsulated) might turn a dodgy stranded connection into one that works - don't be afraid to cut the ferrule down to avoid exposing the conductors, and also make sure you do a two pull tests on each wire - one to ensure that the ferrule is attached to the wire, and the second one after closing the wago lever to ensure that the ferrule is secure in the wago.

[csearle]

I agree with all the above, especially reinstating the Wago connector (as screw terminals are deprecated these days, especially in completely/relatively inaccessible locations, as they work loose with time).

Personally, for some reason, I have had considerably more connexion issues with Wago's 222 levers than their 221 style levers.

Chris

[DrFfybes]

Can you fold the strands back over the insulation and clip that in a WAGO connector? Not ideal but something I have done when fixing thin stranded wire into screw terminals in the past where a risk of flexing would snap the wire.

Paul

[jaizan]

I'm a big fan of the Wago 221 lever type connectors.

I've only tried the push fit when I wanted to connect 6 earth wires together. The 221 type only go up to 5 connections, whereas the push fit have an 8 way option.

[servodude]

I'm a big fan of the Wago 221 lever type connectors.

I've only tried the push fit when I wanted to connect 6 earth wires together. The 221 type only go up to 5 connections, whereas the push fit have an 8 way option.

two fives give you eight

[csearle]

I'm a big fan of the Wago 221 lever type connectors.

I've only tried the push fit when I wanted to connect 6 earth wires together. The 221 type only go up to 5 connections, whereas the push fit have an 8 way option.

two fives give you eight

Wagorithmetic.

2 + 2 = 2
2 + 3 = 3
3 + 3 = 4
2 + 5 = 5
3 + 5 = 6
5 + 5 = 8

[servodude]

two fives give you eight

Wagorithmetic.

2 + 2 = 2
2 + 3 = 3
3 + 3 = 4
2 + 5 = 5
3 + 5 = 6
5 + 5 = 8

"and that's NUMBERWANG!"

It can sometimes also be used to make things neater/clearer (eg having more than one physical connector for gnd with a long jumper between them)

[csearle]

W = (W₁-1) + (W₂-1)

Wagalgebra. (Aka Algebrago)

[jaizan]

two fives give you eight

Using one 8 way Wago push fit connector is far neater.

[kempiejon]

two fives give you eight

Using one 8 way Wago push fit connector is far neater.

I like the Wagorithmetic.
The OP was talking about stranded wires and clip fit Wagos and my understanding was the Wago push fit is only for solid, though I see screwfix say for solid or stranded for the 8 way push fit.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/wago-773-ser ... pack/78075

[Mike4]

two fives give you eight

Using one 8 way Wago push fit connector is far neater.

Might not fit into the space it needs to fit into, when 2 x five will!

[Mike4]

Obviously, push-in connectors such as Wago are most commonly used for mains cables with solid cores,

Point of Order:

I don't think Wagos would be classed as 'push-in connectors' are they? As once the leaver is lifted, no 'pushing' is needed to insert the wire.

ZIF connectors in fact. "Zero insertion force".

Unless any of the professionals here know otherwise?

[bungeejumper]

Obviously, push-in connectors such as Wago are most commonly used for mains cables with solid cores,

Point of Order:

I don't think Wagos would be classed as 'push-in connectors' are they? As once the leaver is lifted, no 'pushing' is needed to insert the wire.

ZIF connectors in fact. "Zero insertion force".

Unless any of the professionals here know otherwise?

Well, this shambling amateur has so far seen five types of Wagos, of which only two so far seem to have levers. The others seem to be push n' pray, or pull, wriggle 'n twist if you're undoing them.

BJ

[csearle]

I don't think Wagos would be classed as 'push-in connectors' are they? As once the leaver is lifted, no 'pushing' is needed to insert the wire.

Depends. C.

[jaizan]

Might not fit into the space it needs to fit into, when 2 x five will!

Theoretically possible, but the 8 way is compact and for my installation, it was far neater.

I was also pleased to discover the larger Wago XLA box to put all these connectors into.