The #1 Mistake Homeowner Make | DIY Electrical

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There is one electrical failure I have seen across every house I have owned. It is an easy and common mistake to make but can be easily avoided with a little knowledge and the right parts. I will demonstrate the wrong way and then 2 solutions to this issue to help you avoid this common failure point in residential electrical systems.
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[@hannahshepherd9073]

God Bless you young man, I live alone in a rural part of Maine and electricians don't even return your calls up here. It's not something I want to try & repair, replace outlet switches etc, but with your help I will try it when it's absolutely necessary. Thank you

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Thanks for the feedback and be safe 👍

[@hassanbazzi3545]

Every statement you mentioned makes a lot of sense. Great info. Thank you for sharing

[@domenicfp]

I actually purchased the Wago kit with the inline from your affiliate link when I purchased my new home. They have been a godsend for me putting up all the light fixtures in the new home. I did wrap each with black electrical tape after the first fixture I installed was not working, and it was due to a lever being lifted. So it was a great tip to secure the wago with electrical tape.

[@GodlyNoghri]

...lol, that totally makes them worth it, especially with the added cost!

[@Createthisaccountnow]

right, i heard this and was like you're just better off splicing and shrink wrapping @@GodlyNoghri @domenicfp @domenicfp

[@What1zTyme]

Great teacher, the best!

[@100vg]

What I like to do when mating solid wire to stranded is tin the stranded with a soldering iron and solder. I tin it good, then heat it again and flick the excess off into my soldering iron sponge. This keeps the stranded wires bonded for no strays and thickens it a tiny bit for better connection integrity. If the stranded solder is not shiny, that's referred to as a Cold solder, so heat it again, add more solder and flick it off again so the strands are bound without a build up of solder. I do this for wire nuts, WAGOs, crimp butt splices and crimp terminals. And for crimp terminals, I sometimes solder the crimped area for the best, most secure connection, without melting the crimp cover insulation as best as possible, just the exposed strands beyond the crimp. Sometimes the insulation cover can be pulled out of the way and put back in place without damaging it, but not always, so I only do that accordingly. I bought a WAGO multi-size kit from your link, but that was before the Inline WAGO was available or included. The two wire size WAGO is good enough for me now, but I'll get the other at reorder time. Great tips about using partially stripped insulation to twist the stranded wires and having an extra 1/8" of twisted stranded extending beyond the solid when stranded mates with solid in a wire nut! Another great one, Scott. Thanks

[@kikiv1993]

Wires are not tinned, this is what tube terminals are for.

[@100vg]

@@kikiv1993 You do it your way and I'll do it mine.

[@corinnelaking569]

Excellent tips, thank you so much.

[@daviscrt]

Great information. Thanks Don

[@David-fb8fn]

I’m always learning something new from your videos. Just when I thought I knew all there was to know on this subject! Thanks for the great information.

[@phillyfathead]

Thanks very informative!

[@danhindenach6220]

Thank you for the information that is awesome to know

[@SpringLakeNJ]

Thank you! Great Video!!👍👍👍👍👍

[@MyGuyKirby]

Perfectly easy explanation and demo

[@FM4AMGV]

With stranded wire with those type of strippers, I will make the "cut" part of the strip with the solid gauge and then go up a size when pulling the jacket off. Works really well in a production environment. Also I leave the jackets on until I'm ready to put into a Wago or crimp into a connector.

[@johnperez2898]

Good video like always 👌

[@mariojuana]

I’m always learning more and more from your channel. Thank you.

[@cory3106]

This is just the beginner FFU* tips. So good for you. Everyone's got to start somewhere. keep plugging ** and👍 one day and you'll be a DIY journeyman😊 *(Frequently effed up) **(pun not intended but acknowledged and enjoyed. Speaking for myself at least. Simple pleasures.)

[@nicholasscurti8001]

I first learned of Wago thru Cruiseman's Garage, a motorcycle video channel, then by you, & have brought several kits, even one for my son. Then you shared the single version, which I initially had trouble finding. They are all great & I find them indispensable for adding motorcycle accessories. Thanks.

[@rml015]

I’ve started using Wagos whenever I’m wiring up light fixtures. So much easier to ensure a solid connection with those pesky stranded wires.

[@paulattanasio3061]

Didn’t know about the 2 different sides of the strippers for solid and stranded. Also love the tip about using the insulation to twist the stranded. Thanks!

[@weldo1948]

Another useful video. Wish I had seen it yesterday while installing a new landscape light on a tree. Especially leaving the insulation on the wire for twisting.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@David.M.]

Great advice, I have being using wagos ever since I saw your earlier videos. Made connecting wires easy!

[@RadioRich100]

Check back in a few years and see if the circuit still works or if you smell somthing burning.

[@josecastro-pm3qm]

Great Video 👍🏼👍🏼

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Thanks!

[@csimet]

This is the #1 use case I have for Wago connectors (mixed wire types - with stranded). I now keep a supply on-hand at all times. Up until they became mass available, I tinned my "loose" stranded wire to ensure proper wire nut connectivity after running into far too many improperly connected junctions. It is worth keeping a soldering iron handy and spending an extra couple minutes tinning.

[@deadmanswife3625]

Two minutes in and I already learned two things.

[@defomatt2684]

I’m feeling a wago pitch here soon

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

😂

[@midgebot86]

Or another wago vs. Ideal

[@TomCee53]

Ideal lever connectors are fine, each has minor issues, but both work well.

[@cory3106]

How? he's talking about a SOLID [as in ‘reliable’ as in ‘foolproof’ as in ‘safe’ and 'code-abiding'] connection. I've seen even the most snugly tucked solid wire slip out of a Wago faster than a limp, greased sausage out of some tight beef curtains. 😂

[@JD-vk1bi]

If he does not use Wagos in his demos, many ask why not. I appreciate that he explains when Wago 221s have an advantage over wire nuts, such as when working with overhead lighting involving the otherwise more challenging stranded and solid wire connections.

[@ScubaCat3]

I'm about 15 seconds in and am anxiously waiting to hear about wago lever nuts 😅

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

😂, you know it is coming. There are some additional tips in there as well even if WAGO 221 isn't your thing 👍

[@REXOB9]

Love me them lever nuts. So much easier than wire nuts for a DIYer.

[@demontekdigital1704]

I never even thought to use the cut end of the coating to twist the strands. That's really smart, thank you! I feel 100% confident in using those Wago 221 lever nuts for connecting the jelly to my peanut butter samiches!! That was a joke...I use the Butter 121 Pea-nuts, and a specialized spreader tool 🤣

[@KameraShy]

Amen to the Wago Lever Nuts. They are a must now for me in connecting solid to stranded. I always had the bad results described in the video.

[@RadioRich100]

U had bad results because u dont know what your doing.

[@Someguy1357]

Wago lever nuts for the win.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

🙌

[@barryminbiole6199]

1. Use wire nuts with metal spring inside vs all plastic 2. Shorten the solid wire to about 3/8" and longer stranded wire. So solid wire does not bottom outvin the wire nut and extra wrap of stranded around the solid wire.

[@boaragile82]

A wire nut without steel spring inside? What the fokk, it should not even exist.

[@hardlyb]

Once I learned about Wago, I never went back for lighting fixtures. I still use wire nuts for outlets and junction boxes, because I think they are slightly better - and having one of those Ideal electrician screwdrivers with the ratcheting wire nut tightener in the handle saves my hands when wiring multiple boxes - but for low current applications, Wagos are the best.

[@kikiv1993]

Americans. You and your staying in the 1950s when it comes to electricity. Fortunately, wirenuts are banned in civilized countries.

[@kenbrown2808]

the wire nuts provided with light fixtures are almost invariably undersized.

[@tongoso]

Thank you for this one, is it ok if the end of the copper on the hot, neutral, etc hits all the way inside the Wago or should be a gap? or maybe both are ok?, thanks for sharing!

[@rleeAZ]

Thank you for showing how to make a good connection with a wire nut...

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

For sure

[@kikiv1993]

Americans. You and your staying in the 1950s when it comes to electricity. Fortunately, wirenuts are banned in civilized countries.

[@davidchampagne464]

Great video man, love the lever nuts.

[@michaeljavert4635]

If one is unfortunate enough to be wired with aluminum and cannot rewire for whatever reason, there is a compound that can be used to join the aluminum to copper. However, not there yet, knowing your favorite method, you don't even need that compound if using what I think you're going to come to.

[@rjbook51]

I had so much trouble with this over the years, I now routinely tin the ends of braided wire. It takes a few minutes but at least I can do it sitting down. Someday I will try the Wago, despite my bins full of wire nuts.😁

[@boaragile82]

A crimper and a kit of ferrules will save you a lot of time and a lot of soldering, trust me.

[@rjbook51]

Its not like I mind the soldering, but I did as luck would have it had to install a new light fixture, and the wago connecers were great.@@boaragile82

[@engrpiman]

here wego again 😂

[@briandish1787]

When twisting those stranded wire you should twist in a clockwise direction and not counter clockwise!

[@JD-vk1bi]

Wondering if the in-line splice connectors are best used for the neutral wires or if they also are commonly used for the hot wires. Thanks for a great video demo and explanations👍

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Oh yeah, I was just showing a few different examples. I use all inline splices on many applications including light fixtures. 👍

[@JD-vk1bi]

Thanks so much!

[@brookzilla]

@@EverydayHomeRepairs Can you do a video regarding aluminum to copper wire splicing inside the panel box? I had a home inspection recently and I am having to use Alumiconn connectors for every receptacle, switch, etc. But it also says I have to use them on all breakers at the breaker panel that are directly connected to single strand aluminum, which in my box it is a mix of copper and aluminum. And the breaker panel wiring is not as straight foreword as working with a single device at a time.

[@nickjm37fordel1]

When you have those connectors on the wires is there enough room to tuck them all back in the box ?

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

WAGOs are pretty compact 👍. If you are using 14 gauge or 12 gauge wire just make sure you are using the "400" series which will go up to 12 gauge as opposed to the "600" series which will go up to 10 gauge.

[@Createthisaccountnow]

im an apprentance in all means but id do a drill bit into the wall behind the tv to the closest stud to electrical box mount , we could have a discussion about peoples skills w tools but probably oscilating saw the box from the stud point then we need to run the wire to the box, which if ur a normal home owner who doesnt know electric youre done, but splice a parallel off your closest outlet (the one you showed )and run it? i really think thats a shot method tho if we could use dc and really understand electronics each have unique pull rates i sware it would be easier.

[@Createthisaccountnow]

and yes i'd rather down step and re route all of my homes continuous energy especially if we can draw a TV at less than 60 w.or something like 15 w x 4 amps, relative to those who sort of know.

[@jorgecamero9890]

Thanks for sharing 👍🎯

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

You bet!

[@PelicanPines]

Wago for the win !!!

[@bb55555555]

agreed. wagos are the way to go. pretty much my entire house uses wagos now.

[@RadioRich100]

When your lights start flickering or you smell somthing burning remember the wagos.

[@bb55555555]

@@RadioRich100 still waiting for that to happen. It's been almost two years. I even got them in my breaker box

[@RadioRich100]

@@bb55555555 Why are you waiting? if your that nervous you shouldnt have used them in the first place. Well, when the circuit fails or the smoke is coming out of your panel at least they will be easy to get to.

[@bb55555555]

@@RadioRich100 I'm not waiting. I'm more confident than ever that these things will continue to work. I say that because I keep getting people like this telling me they will eventually melt or malfunction. Never mind the fact that wagos are used all over Europe without any issues and there are countless videos that have tested these things to extreme levels without failure. But still I get comments like this.

[@RadioRich100]

@@bb55555555 Without issues all over the europe? I didnt know that they all reported to you when theres an issue with them. The videos you speak of test them over 20 minutes with a $10 dollar piece of equipment. Those silly tests are as flawed as the wagos themselves. Any electrician worth a damn wont use them and may tell you about it. But of course your among the few that use them to get the job done a few minutes sooner and the customer pays the price later long after the halfass electrician leaves.

[@rustyclark6263]

I've used so many wire nuts in my lifetime, I've had to have 2 surgerys on my hand.😢

[@itsgabegutierrez]

Wire nuts are perfectly fine if you use them properly.

[@skyscraper2856]

What are your thoughts on using Ideal lever nuts?

[@kenmore01]

They're less than ideal.

[@Createthisaccountnow]

also any suggestions for a person like me who built a pc as his first electronics project, i seem to love re routing DC and never find flaw in it, it blows my mind that im pluging a fan that watt draws a usb's amount from an AC 110 v circut? am i lost ?

[@howard2679]

Couldn't see if the stranded wire was placed with the solid wire correctly before the wire nut was installed as that got edited out.

[@kiberkli]

I use WAGO push in connectors, I wonder what you think about those.

[@TomCee53]

I use the push-ins often, especially overhead. They are great for solid or tinned wire, but not for stranded. The strands separate when pushing in and sometimes do go in at all.

[@isabellavision]

I use the Wago push-in (non-lever) connectors in boxes I won’t need to change for a while. They are a lot cheaper than Wago 221’s, but they are only for solid core wire, and they are more permanent. If plans change, you can still remove them with a firm twist and pull of the wire, just not nearly as easy as lever nuts.

[@kiberkli]

Yup, I use the 221 for stranded and push-ins for solids.

[@kikiv1993]

@@TomCee53 I'm guessing it may have to do with the fact that WAGO 2273 is only for solid cables.

[@SchimShady12]

Wago ads are backkkk, thank goodness!

[@rodney2201]

How do you disconnect the wago wire connectors? Sometimes you have to work with power on. Wire nuts are so much easier to disconnect. So I guess my question is how do you disconnect those wagos if you have to change out another fixture is there a way to disconnect the wire with the push of a button on those? Please make a video on how to do that if there is

[@boaragile82]

Thou shalt not rise that lever.

[@JCWren]

The reason those larger devices use stranded wire is because they can be soldered directly to the printed circuit board (PCB) inside the case. It's basically impossible to solder solid wire to a PCB without it either ripping a trace of the PCB or cracking the solder, which of course will result in a high resistance or intermittent open connection. Also, at 4:19 it's evident that your solid neutral has been stripped too far back. Shouldn't have any copper showing past the edge of the wire nut. If you were pre-twisting two solid wires the strip back would be about the right length. Most wire nut packaging has a striping guide on it, and the length varies depending on the number and type of wires being used.

[@aaron74]

I am a full convert to Wago 221s. They're just an absolute game-changer.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

🙌

[@TomCee53]

The “Friends don’t let…” link is not working.

[@BigBonesBB]

Quick question would a Bad Connection in My Kitchen Ceiling Light shorten Bulb Life?

[@jong2359]

You don't happen to be using GE bulbs, do you?

[@BigBonesBB]

@@jong2359 Energy Savers don't remember

[@FM4AMGV]

It could be that, or what I found in someone's reptile light, one of the wires had the insulation come off and was intermittently shorting on the housing. It would be good to check the wiring of the Light Fixture.

[@JJJohns]

Is there a way to tell if silvery-stranded wire is aluminum or copper?

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

If you have a little extra wire you can strip off the insulation and use a lighter to burn the strands. Copper will burn in less than 3 seconds and have a green tint of color for the flames. Aluminum would take more than 3 seconds and not have the green color.

[@christopherkujala2054]

I Don't Trust Wago Wire Nuts, I am Old School, Garner Binder Wire Nuts is all I use.

[@kikiv1993]

Americans. You and your staying in the 1950s when it comes to electricity. Fortunately, wirenuts are banned in civilized countries.

[@kikiv1993]

Americans... for lighting is the WAGO 224

[@cory3106]

Like your #sweatequity shirt. A term that can definitely see more use in areas of life other than just That pertaining to work landlords have to put into rental properties to build value to prospective renters.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

For sure, although I don't mention it much on the channel I am a big fan of investing in real estate 🙌

[@roymorgan2560]

Part of the first issue with wire nutting a solid wire and a stranded wire is so easily solved with the wago nuts. Would have been great to include that as a good solution to that problem.

[@boaragile82]

There are dubious things (using wire nut to connect 4+ solid wires). There are danerous things (crimping solid wire without knowing exactly wtf are you doing). And there are things that simply should not happen. Using wire nut to connect solid and stranded wire is one of them in my book. It is especially unforgiveable in lighting fixtures. Crimp stranded wires. Feed them to screw terminal (cut three from the strip). Connect solid wires. It worked before Wagos became available, it still works, and it avoids all pitfalls of wire nut mumbo-jumbo, with exception of losing contact if the connection is bustled around too much (weakness of screw terminals). Wagos and similar spring clamps are superiour in this regard.

[@sunnybreeze8673]

Great info but goes to fast

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Appreciate the feedback 👍

[@RadioRich100]

This guy is a playschool electrician. Wagos are junk dont use them. Learn how to join wires properly.

[@kikiv1993]

Americans. You and your staying in the 1950s when it comes to electricity. Fortunately, wirenuts are banned in civilized countries.

[@RadioRich100]

@@kikiv1993 Your so called civilized countrys depend on the U.S. for a lot of things. Keep your wagos, we need nothing from you.

[@perriponders289]

You probably sell more Wago connectors than Wago does lol.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

I should apply for VP of marketing 😂