Serious question, has anyone used Wago connectors vs wire nuts on a big job?

I did a full house rewire last month in Austin and decided to try Wago lever nuts on half of it and old school twist nuts on the other half. The Wago side went way faster, like probably saved me 3 hours total just from not having to twist and tape. But I'm wondering if anyone's seen them fail long term. The old timers at my shop swear they're garbage but I'm sold on the speed.

3 comments

3 Comments

troyknight11d ago

Honestly, that 'end of the trade' thing cracks me up every time. But I gotta gently push back on that "never had a single callback" line. I mean, I believe you haven't had one yet, but I've read a few reports on forums where guys found Wagos corroding in damp crawlspaces, mostly the older yellow ones. And if you're doing production work, those three hours saved might show up later if you didn't push the levers down all the way. It's rare, but I've seen a pic where a guy's connection wasn't fully seated and the wire pulled out. Still, I'd take a Wago over a nut any day for tight spaces.

kai_chen211d ago

Wait, you actually split a whole house rewire between both just to test them? That's wild dude. I gotta say, that's the most extra thing I've ever heard but also kinda genius. Props to you for being that dedicated to finding out. Ngl, I've been using Wagos on everything for the last two years and never had a single callback on them. The old guys at my supply house say the same thing, they act like it's the end of the trade or something. But I've seen more loose wire nuts under drywall than I have failed Wagos, honestly. Three hours saved on one job is nothing to sneeze at either. Time is money, and if you're doing production work that adds up fast.

olivermason11d ago

Read that report too about the old yellow Wagos in wet spots. I think it was from a guy up in the Pacific Northwest who pulled one out of a crawlspace after 5 years and it was all green and crusty. But honestly, that's more about not using the right connector for the job, not the connector itself. You wouldn't use a wire nut there either without wrapping it in tape or something. The lever not clicking all the way is a real thing though, I've seen a buddy of mine miss one in a tight junction box and had to fish it back out later.