After a close call with a loose connection, I'm rethinking how we prep wires for caps.

I had a call back last week where a light fixture was flickering because a wire nut came loose. It turned out the wires weren't twisted together before capping. My old mentor always said to twist them tight for a solid joint. But some electricians I work with now say that with good quality caps, you can just push the wires in and twist the cap on. They argue it's faster and just as safe if done right. I'm stuck between sticking with the old way or trying the new method. What do you guys think is best for residential work?

3 comments

3 Comments

emmawest1mo ago

Come on now, is it really that big a deal? I've seen both ways work fine for years. If the cap is on tight, it's probably not going anywhere.

johnson.caleb1mo ago

Twisting them is the only way I'll do it. Seen too many loose caps cause problems later, you know?

tyler_knight1mo ago

I rewired an old house last year where every connection was twisted before capping. Not a single call back. I see what @emmawest is saying about a tight cap holding, but that flicker risk isn't worth the few seconds you save.