Installation of wires in the junction box. Methods for connecting electrical wires

Reading time ≈ 4 minutes

One of the important steps in the installation of electrical wiring is the connection of wires in the electrical junction box, which follows immediately after laying the cable. At first glance, it may seem to some that using a junction box for wiring is essentially a waste of time, but this assumption is wrong for several reasons.

Wiring diagram in the junction box

During the operation of the wiring, malfunctions may occur - for example, an open circuit has occurred. If, during the electrical installation, the workers did without a junction box, and the joints were simply rolled up with a finishing material such as plaster, then in order to get to the connections again, you will have to break the exterior finish - tear off the wallpaper, break the layer of plaster, etc. It is unlikely that anyone will be satisfied with such prospects. If in the future you need to install additional sockets, then in such cases it is not always convenient to run wires from sockets already installed earlier, it is easier to connect directly to the box.

If the wires are connected using terminal blocks, then a channel of a sufficiently large depth will have to be punched in the wall, which is much more labor-intensive than simply connecting the wires in the junction box.

Finally, from a fire safety point of view, the advantage of using junction boxes is undeniable. For the proper organization of electrical work, there are special Rules for the Construction of Electrical Installations (PUE), which also regulate the procedure for connecting electrical wires.

Methods for connecting wires in a junction box

According to these rules (PUE), there are the following ways to connect wires in a junction box:

Connection using terminal blocks is the most preferred way: the terminal blocks are small and easily fit into the junction box, and it is not difficult to buy them. It remains only to cut the wires to a certain length, connect the corresponding cores and put the resulting assembly in a box.
Connection of wires in the junction box by soldering- a method more suitable for professionals who have sufficient experience in carrying out such a procedure. Without experience, a person will spend a lot of time on soldering, and it’s not a fact that the result will be a high-quality connection.
Connection of wires in the junction box crimping method can be considered the most reliable one-piece connection. However, this is a rather time-consuming job that requires skills, the availability of special tools and materials - these are press tongs, copper or aluminum sleeves and heat shrink tubing. The pre-stripped conductors should be inserted at both ends of the sleeve until it stops and the connection is crimped. Immediately before crimping, one of the switched wires should be put on a heat-shrinkable tube, and after crimping, slide the tube onto the sleeve and heat it to the shrinkage temperature.

The twist method is the simplest connection option. However, if we talk about whether such a connection of wires in a junction box is reliable, the PUE allow such a method only as a temporary one and prohibit twisting without subsequent full completion of the connection.

For those who are faced with such a task as connecting wires in a junction box for the first time, the photos and videos presented in the article will help to visualize as clearly as possible how this procedure is carried out in all the ways listed above.

The main wiring elements switched in the box are lamps and sockets, while the wire connection scheme in the junction box will be different for them. The socket will require a simple connection of wires by color. There will be three colors in total: phase (gray, brown or black), zero (blue or cyan), ground (yellow with a green stripe). There are also wires without grounding, then the cable will be two-core, and instead of three colors there will be two. For a luminaire with a single-gang switch, only 2 wires will need to be connected in the box: zero will be connected to the wire going directly to the luminaire, and the phase will pass to the luminaire through the switch. For a chandelier with a 2-key switch, the only difference will be that in this case, 2 wires will go to the chandelier from the switch, which are responsible for different groups of light bulbs, and zero will remain common.

Video of connecting wires in a junction box

When building a house or repairing a new apartment, at the first stage, a household electrical network is installed. Deciding where sockets, switches, junction boxes and chandeliers will be installed is a small fraction of the total amount of work required. Most importantly, lay a network around the house with many branches for lighting and connecting household appliances. Such a network is carried out with electric wires, which must be selected according to the cross section according to the expected load and laid according to certain standards. Here we will talk about how to properly connect the wires in the junction box.

There are many options for connecting wires, but among them it is impossible to single out one and call it ideal. Something more convenient and simpler, but not recommended by the Electrical Installation Rules (PUE). Some method is suitable for single-core wires, but not suitable for several cores. But more complex methods in execution guarantee the quality and reliability of contacts. All methods of connecting electrical wires in a junction box have their advantages and disadvantages. Let's consider each of them in more detail.

Twisting method

The most common and simplest option is twisting. For it, you will need only two tools - a knife with which you can strip the insulation on the cores, and pliers to ensure reliable twisting.

Connection principle

This method is often called "grandfather", electricians have been using it for more than a dozen years, despite the fact that it is not recommended to connect the wires in this way according to the PUE. It is often used as a temporary option, for example, when you need to check how the wiring diagram in a junction box works. Subsequently, the places of twisting are replaced by more reliable types of connections.

The essence of the method is that several wires are twisted together. It is important that all the wires to be connected are twisted together at the same time; it is not allowed to wrap one around the other.

The whole job is incredibly simple. First, the insulating layer is cut off with a knife from the wire cores to the same length (10-30 mm). Then twisting is done with pliers and isolated from above. There are many options for twisting itself, the most common of them:

Mutual twist.
Band connection.
Groove twist.

Let's explain a little more with the simplest example. Attach each twisted wire to each other so as to align them with the removed layer of insulation (in this case, you will have to cut 40-50 mm). At the end of the wires to be connected, make a 1 cm bend at 90 degrees. Hold the insulating layer with one hand, grasp the fold with the other hand and begin to make rotational movements in a clockwise direction. Some people ask the question, is it possible to turn counterclockwise? It is possible, but backwards is somehow not very accepted, the whole world is used to existing in the course of the clock. If at the end it is already difficult to twist with your fingers, do it with the help of pliers.

You can connect 5-6 wires in this way, but then it will be difficult to twist, you need to make the bend longer (by 20 mm) and immediately make rotational movements with pliers. When a beautiful even twist is obtained, the bend is cut off.

Important to remember! It is necessary to wrap with insulating tape not only the place of the twist itself, but also go 2-3 cm on top of the wire insulation. This will prevent moisture ingress and provide better insulation.

A heat pipe can also be used as an insulating layer at the place of twisting. Keep in mind that it must be put on one of the connected wires in advance. When the twist is ready, the tube moves to this place. If you heat it around the edges, then due to the effect of temperature, the thermotube will shrink and tightly wrap around the wires.

How to properly twist the wires is described in detail in this video:

Advantages

The most important advantage of this method is the ease of operation.

The second advantage of twisting is the absence of any material costs.

If this is necessary, then at the same time several wires can be twisted in this way, but their total number should not be more than six.

Flaws

The main disadvantage of twisting is unreliability. And we know that in electrical engineering such a concept is not allowed.

In the main regulatory document of electricians PUE, in the section listing all permitted types of wire connections, the twisting method is not mentioned, so it is not recommended for use. That's right, experts cannot allow a connection that is sensitive to pulsed current and high transient resistance to the standards.

With the twisting method, the area of contact of the cores is small, which results in unreliable contact. As the load increases, the cores will heat up more, and the contact connection will become weaker, which will eventually lead to burnout.

Twisting cannot be used to connect cores made of different materials (copper and aluminum).

Remember! If you use twisting as a permanent connection method, you take full responsibility for the possible consequences.

welding method

For a more reliable contact, the connecting wires are welded in the junction box. With this option, the ends of the cores are fused and form a single whole, which is a guarantee of safety and reliability. Solid contacts do not oxidize and welds do not weaken over time.

The disadvantage of welding is that you must be able to handle special equipment, or you will have to invite a professional.

Required Tools

In addition to knowing how to cook, you will need:

knife (to remove the insulating layer from the cores);
sandpaper (to clean the surfaces to be joined);
welding inverter;
gloves (protect hands during welding);
glasses or a mask (protect the eyes during welding);
graphite electrode (carbon);
flux to protect the melt from air.

Welding algorithm

Remove the insulation from the cores by 70-80 mm with a knife.
Sand the strands to a shine with sandpaper.
Using the method described above, twist the wires, its length should be at least 50 mm.
Carefully hook the grounding pliers to the top of the twist.
From the bottom of the twist, bring the electrode, lightly touch to ignite the arc, and remove. Welding of wires takes place literally in a fraction of a second.
After that, allow the welding site to cool down and insulate the connection.

Another important question is how many amperes to put on the welding machine? For wires with a cross section of 1.5 mm 2, 30 A of welding current will be sufficient, for 2.5 mm 2 - 50 A.

Welding of twists in the junction box is clearly shown in this video:

soldering method

No less reliable than welding is the soldering of the connected wires in the junction box.

The essence of the soldering method is similar to welding, only now instead of an inverter apparatus with electrodes, solder with a soldering iron is used. You will also need rosin or soldering flux. There is one small nuance here, before twisting the veins they must be tinned. To do this, heat the soldering iron, dip it in rosin and run it through the wires stripped of the insulating layer several times until a characteristic reddish tint appears.

Now make a twist, as we described above. Take the solder on the soldering iron and heat the place of the twist until the tin melts and begins to fill the space between the turns. Thus, the place of twisting is wrapped in tin, which ensures the correct connection of the wires and reliable contact in the box.

Most often, copper wires are soldered this way. But there is a special solder with which you can do the same with aluminum conductors.

The soldering of twists by the method of immersion in a sleeve with molten tin is shown in this video:

Terminal blocks

Connecting wires in a junction box is greatly facilitated by using terminal blocks.

The modern market provides a wide range of pads, which differ both in features and sizes, as well as in price. The terminal itself can be small or large, it all depends on the cross section of the connecting wires. However, they are all structurally based on the same principle.

As a rule, terminal blocks are sold in sections, but sometimes they are bought by the piece, asking the seller to cut off the right amount.

Device

The terminal block is a transparent plastic case, inside of which there is a brass sleeve. It is these sleeves that differ in diameter, depending on which section of the core this block is designed for. There are two threaded holes in the sleeve, screws are screwed into them, clamping the wires.

Connection principle

How are wires connected in such terminal blocks? For example, in a junction box, you need to connect an outlet to the mains. You take the block into two sections, unscrew the clamping screws, thereby freeing the sleeve for the wires to pass into it. On the wires to be connected, remove the insulating layer (5 mm is enough) and carefully clean the conductive surface of each core. Insert the phase conductors of the socket and the mains into one terminal, and zero into the other. And by tightening the screws, clamp the wires in the sleeve.

Advantages

Why is it good to disconnect the wires of the junction box using terminal blocks?

Firstly, in most houses, the electrical network is made with solid wires (not flexible and not stranded), and with the help of such terminals, the installation of solid wires becomes very simple and will not cause difficulties even for novice electricians.

Secondly, with the help of a terminal block, it becomes possible to connect aluminum and copper conductors to each other. Twisting in this case is not suitable, because these two metals are characterized by internal heterogeneity. Aluminum and copper mutually oxidize, which leads to the appearance of an oxide film on the surface, then, as a result, poor contact, heating and failure of electrical wiring. And due to this connection option, aluminum and copper do not come into contact with each other, which is an indisputable advantage of using a terminal block.

Remember! It is very important during the direct connection of the core to the terminal, first unscrew one screw and insert, for example, a copper wire, then tighten it. Then do the same with aluminum. This is done in order to exclude the possibility of their contact with each other inside the brass sleeve.

Plus, such a connecting method of wires using terminal blocks will require a minimum of your time.

In addition, this option is detachable, that is, at any time you can disconnect the desired wire or cable.

Flaws

The disadvantages of the terminal block include the undesirable connection of stranded flexible wires in them. Such a seemingly convenient terminal combines everything that a stranded wire “does not like” - rotational movements, an uneven clamping surface of the screw and the so-called point (uneven) pressure. While clamping them with a screw, it can push through and break one or more small thin veins. The wire will no longer have the necessary current carrying capacity, which will lead to heating of the contact. If such a need arose, to connect stranded wires in the terminal blocks, then it is advisable to use sleeve lugs that compress the bundle of veins.

In such a block, it is necessary to tighten the screw with extreme caution if you are connecting aluminum wires. You don’t need to demonstrate all your strength and power here, otherwise you will simply break the vein.

Varieties

The most modern type of terminal blocks are self-clamping. The connection is very fast, for this you do not even need to pick up a screwdriver. Each hole has a spring-loaded contact. The core is inserted into the hole until a characteristic click, which means the terminal is snapped into place.

Lever terminal blocks proved to be even better. The small lever must be raised, thereby freeing the contact hole into which the core is inserted. Then the lever is lowered and a reliable connection is ready. If it is necessary to remake the contact, the lever is raised again and the core is pulled out.

The different types of terminal blocks are described in this video:

bolt method

Reliable connection of wires in the junction box is achieved through the use of bolts. The only drawback of this method is its cumbersomeness. And the main advantage is that due to the bolted connection, it is possible to provide a high-quality connection of cores made of dissimilar materials (aluminum and copper). Modern manufacturers of junction boxes make them small in size, it will be difficult to put a bolted connection into such a device. But if your house still has enough old-style boxes with large sizes, then this method suits you.

In addition to the bolt, you will need three steel washers and a nut. The stripped parts of the wires must be twisted in the form of a ring. Next, put on the bolt in turn:

puck;
a ring of one core;
puck again;
a ring of another vein;
puck;
nut.

It is due to such a pyramid that the bolt method is cumbersome. It is not suitable for connecting several pairs of wires.

We looked at several options for how to connect wires in a junction box. Choose the appropriate method for price and ease of installation. But remember that the main concepts in electricity were, are and will be quality, connection reliability, durability and safety.

Content:

Electrical wiring is an integral part of the installation of any electrical network. The electrical network ensures the distribution of electricity. Sections of wires may be under a layer of plaster. But they can be laid in one way or another on the surface of walls and ceilings. In any case, they must be securely connected to each other. To do this, junction boxes are installed in certain places.

Following their installation, wiring is done. Previously, before connecting consumers, a wire connection diagram is prepared. If you have to hear such a name as a disconnection scheme, it means that you are talking about supplying power to several consumers. Switching the junction box does just that. The wiring diagram in the junction box always contains the main supply wire.

Junction boxes are where the wires of sockets, switches and other loads are connected. This is the node in which the branching of the wiring takes place. Electricians have coined the word "disconnect" applied to such a junction. It is exclusively colloquial and is not used in technical literature.

The connection of wires in a round junction box is usually used for wires of hidden electrical wiring. The installation site in this case is easier to prepare using an electric drill with a special drilling fixture.

The shape of the box in relation to the manufacturability of its installation for outdoor wiring is not so important. However, a rectangular box provides more space and may be preferable for this reason. Next, we will tell readers how to connect the wires in the junction box.

Connection methods

The connection of wires in the box is carried out in two main ways:

twisting of connected cores (twisting);
using special accessories. These wire connectors in the junction box are referred to as terminal blocks and blocks. All connectors make electrical contacts using a screw or spring clamp.

It is not difficult to twist even several strands of wires wound into a junction box. Twisting is the simplest fixed contact. But the simplicity of obtaining the result has a bad effect on the quality of this contact. The main disadvantages of simple twisting are as follows:

relatively small contact area (especially for large cross-section conductors);
lack of compensation for oxidation and weakening of the compression of the contacting cores.

Therefore, conventional twisting should only be used for low electrical loads in the range of 100–300 W. Before connecting the wires in the junction box, it is necessary to correctly determine the length of the contact of the cores. If it is impossible to accurately predict what currents will pass through the twist, its quality must be improved in one of the following ways:

cover with solder (solder);

weld strands.

In addition to welding and soldering, special accessories are often used that fix the contact of the cores. Of these, you can

use a crimping cap screwed onto the twisted wires.

The cap is also called a connecting insulating clip - PPE

If it is necessary to mount a powerful consumer of electricity, it is allowed to use caps and long twists formed with their help. How this is done is shown in the images below.

Use a sleeve that compresses either twisted or even conductors;

use tips;

connect the wires with a terminal block;

use terminal blocks of a suitable design.

Comparison of methods

The images provided above clearly demonstrate that the connection of the cores can be made in several ways. Therefore, we will now consider their disadvantages and advantages.

Conductor connection method	Flaws	Advantages
ordinary twist	Limited use due to contact instability. For more reliable contact, it is necessary to increase the length of the twisted cores.	Ease of manufacture.
Comments Contact instability appears over time due to temperature deformations of the metal. When the cores are twisted, twisting the wires in the insulation also does not hurt. This stabilizes the contact.

soldered twist	The complexity of the process associated with the preparation of wires for soldering, the need for additional equipment and conditions for its proper operation. The need to cover the connected cores with insulation. You can not connect aluminum and copper core.
Comments The surface of the cores is cleaned of oxides as best as possible. The prepared twist is covered with liquid flux. When soldering, you can overheat the core and damage the insulation of some brands of wires. It is best to apply solder by dipping a twist into it. In this case, the wires are held with pliers near the insulation to remove heat.

welded strand	The complexity of the process associated with the preparation of wires for welding, the need for additional equipment and conditions for its proper operation. The need to cover the connected cores with insulation. You can not connect aluminum and copper core. It is impossible to redo the finished connection without a supply of wires along the length.	One of the most reliable types of connection, especially for powerful consumers of electricity. Simple visual quality control of connection and contact.
Comments The core is heated to the melting temperature of copper. In order to preserve the integrity of the insulation during welding, it is necessary not only to ensure heat removal, but also to choose the optimal length of the core. If stripping is too short, the necessary heat dissipation cannot be obtained.

cap	Dependence of contact reliability on cap quality. Inability to control the reliability of the contact. Limited application associated with an increase in the thickness of the connected cores. You can not connect aluminum and copper core.	An effective combination of ease of manufacture and quality of connection. Possibility of dismantling without reserve of length of wires. You can do without isolating the connection, since the cap performs this function.
Comments The cap contains an internal thread formed by a conical spring, or applied to a pressed sleeve. It is screwed on twist. In this case, a force arises that expands the cap, but compresses the veins. This is the essence of the use of the cap. But if this force is too great, the sleeve will either crack or tear off the metal of the core. In any case, the force will be significantly weakened. This can happen not only during installation, but also during operation due to heating. It is impossible to control the state of the contact, as well as the force during the installation of the cap. It is necessary to choose and install it correctly - in accordance with the recommended wire section.

	Dependence of contact reliability on sleeve deformation. The lack of the possibility of simple control of the reliability of the contact. The need to cover the sleeve with insulation. You can not connect aluminum and copper core. The need to use an additional tool - crimping pliers. It is impossible to redo the finished connection without a supply of wires along the length. Extra cost for paste to improve contact.	One of the most reliable types of connection, especially for powerful consumers of electricity.

No wiring diagram can do without any connections, branching wires or cables. There is a special box for this. It is located under the ceiling and is a round or square box made of polymer material.

In this material, we will tell you how to make the connections correctly, we will demonstrate diagrams, photo and video instructions.

Why Use Junction Box

There are cases when, during the installation of electrical wiring, the installation of such distributors is neglected, believing that this is just a waste of time, since the box must first be installed, then connected to it, which will lead to additional difficulties. It's easier to just twist, insulate and corny plaster the wall. But here you need to think a little ahead, because in this case important points are missed:

No free access to wires. For example, if the socket does not work in your room or the light is gone, and after checking it turned out that the problem is the lack of voltage. How to check? Completely remove trim? Tear off wallpaper, plaster to get to the roll? It will ruin your repair.
If you want to install an additional socket. It is not always convenient to connect it by laying wires from a previously installed outlet. Thanks to the junction box, you can easily make new connections.
The regulatory document of the PUE says that "the places of connections and branches must be accessible for inspection and repair," therefore, the installation of such a distributor cannot be neglected.
The absence of such distributors is contrary to fire safety standards.

As you can see, the junction box plays an important role. But installing it is just the beginning. It remains to connect all the wires in it. What is the best way to do this? Let's look at some ways.

Connection types

What is the purpose of connecting wires? Ensure good contact between the cores so that the chain does not break and there is no risk of a short circuit. In order to ensure this, you can act in several ways:

Twisting.
Crimping.
Welding.
Soldering with a soldering iron.
Use of screw terminals.
Bolted connections.

These are tried and tested methods that you can use to ensure reliable contact. Let's look at each of them in detail. You will learn how to properly combine wires with any of these options.

Twisting

Such twisting in the junction box is officially prohibited. In the seventh edition of the regulatory document PUE, chapter 2, paragraph 2.1 / 21, all types of permissible connections are listed, but there is no twist in them. And this is not surprising, since such a contact is sensitive to pulsed current and has a large contact resistance. Over time, the contact will deteriorate and simply burn out. Due to the fact that the contact area is small, with a strong load, heating occurs, and the contact is further weakened.

This option is chosen because of its simplicity. It is enough just to strip 10-20 mm of insulation and twist the wires together with pliers. This is what our fathers and great-grandfathers did. But such a connection is often unreliable, especially if an aluminum core is used.

Crimping with a connecting sleeve

A fairly reliable method, which will require the purchase of a connecting sleeve. You need to choose it based on the diameter of the beam to be connected. Depending on the wires that you connect, the material of the sleeve itself is selected. For copper wires, the sleeve must be copper, for aluminum - aluminum. To make the connection reliable, the sleeve is crimped with a special tool called press tongs. This technology is quite effective and is, along with other methods, in the regulatory documents.

To connect in this way you need:

Remove the insulation, taking into account the length of your sleeve.
Twist the wires into a bundle and insert them into the sleeve.
Crimp the sleeve with press tongs.
Insulate the place of twisting with heat shrink or insulating tape.

In such work, the use of pliers is not recommended, since the connection will not be reliable enough. It is much better to buy pressing tongs or borrow them from good neighbors.

Welding

This method can be called the most reliable and safe, because the wires are connected by fusion and become one. Due to the fact that welding will not oxidize, such contact will not weaken over time. But to carry out such work, you will need skills in working with welding equipment.

In addition to skills, you must prepare:

welding machine for 24 volts, with a power of more than 1 kW;
welding gloves for skin protection;
goggles or welding mask;
sandpaper for stripping wires;
clerical knife for removing insulation;
carbon electrode;
flux, thanks to which the melt will be protected from exposure to air.

After all the tools and materials are ready, it remains only to do welding, which will not be difficult. The work can be divided into several steps:

Remove the insulation by 60-80 mm and clean them using sandpaper. Veins should shine.
Connect the wires by twisting, winding one on top of the other so that the ends are at the level of each other. It is recommended to make a length of at least 50 mm.
Pour the flux into the recess of your electrode.
Put the "mass" of the device on the bare wire, turn on the welding machine and press the electrode to the top of the twist.
Hold the electrode until a kind of ball is formed, called a contact point. Usually it takes 1-3 seconds.
It remains to clean the point from the flux and insulate the welding site with heat shrink tubing or electrical tape.

This type of connection will last a long time. In some old Khrushchev houses, such welding lasted 50 years and steadily performed its function.

Soldering with a soldering iron

The method is very similar to welding, only in this case the wires are connected with solder. For this work you will need a soldering iron. For work you will need:

soldering iron;
fine sandpaper;
rosin (flux);
brush for applying rosin on;
tin-lead solder.

The procedure is the same as for welding:

Removal of insulation and cleaning with sandpaper.
Twisting.
Flux application.
Solder directly. The soldering iron melts the solder, which should flow into the twist itself, securely connecting the wires to each other.

Often, copper wires are soldered using this method, but if you purchase a special solder for soldering aluminum, you can also solder copper from aluminum.

Use of screw terminals

This method is fast, simple and effective. And most importantly, dissimilar metals can be combined with such clamps. For example, if you need to connect aluminum and copper conductors, which in itself is known to be contraindicated. These clips are very simple and compact, and their cost may pleasantly surprise you.

To connect the wires with clamps, you need to carry out only 2 steps:

Remove 5 mm of insulation.
Insert into the clamps and tighten the screw.

That's all, as you can see, everything is very simple and fast. It is only important to control the force with which you clamp. Turning the screw too tight can damage the wires. You need to be especially careful when working with aluminum wires.

The only drawback of a screw connection is that when working with a multi-core cable, it must be crimped with a special nozzle to ensure normal contact and wire integrity.

Bolted connections

Such a connection is quite reliable, but cumbersome. It is not suitable for modern junction boxes because of its dimensions, but for large old-style boxes it is just right. This method can be used to join both homogeneous and dissimilar metals. The work is done as follows:

A steel washer is put on the bolt.
The insulation is removed from the conductors, and they are formed in the form of a ring.
The first ring is put on the bolt.
Then another steel washer is next in line, which is placed on the bolt next to the first.
A second connecting wire is put on top.
This whole "sandwich" is clamped with a nut.
In the end, everything needs to be insulated.

It is this design that makes contact cumbersome. If you need to connect several pairs of wires, then this option will not be the best.

This method can be called the most modern, popular and easy to use. All you need is to buy special terminals in the store. Inside these terminals there is a special paste that prevents metals from oxidizing. Due to this, various metals can be inserted into such compounds.

The work is as follows:

10 mm of insulation is removed from each wire.
The lever, which is located on the clip, rises.
The conductors are inserted into the connector.
The lever is lowered to its original position.

If your clamps do not have levers, they must be inserted before the terminal clicks into place.

We looked at the most reliable methods by which you can combine wires in a junction box. This is a very important stage in electrical installation work, since 70% of errors during work are precisely in the wrong connection of conductors. But if you, even without experience in such work, use the methods that are given in this article, you can easily do everything in accordance with the requirements of the regulations. But which of these methods to choose depends on your capabilities and desires.

Video

This video shows how the wires are connected in the junction box:

You will learn everything about wire sleeves or crimping lugs from the material provided in this video:

Scheme

Knowledge of modern technologies and methods of working with electrical fittings, is it really necessary? Yes, you need to know how to properly connect electrical wires.

This can be useful during installation, laying of any power supply systems. Whether the wiring burned out, a lighting fixture needs to be replaced or a complete set of new equipment. Such knowledge may not be needed, but it would be better to know all the common ways to connect electrical wires.

Application in terminal block circuits

Terminal blocks are electrical products made of a material that does not conduct electricity, inside which a conductive sleeve is inserted, which has a pair of screws at opposite ends. They serve to fix the wire. An excellent choice for the embodiment of a modern way of connecting wires.

When choosing a reliable wire connection, it is important to remember: terminal blocks are produced with different holes, for many sections.

This method is almost always used for connection in junction boxes of any type, during installation, installation of wall and other fixtures. It's suitable for. It is easy to mount the network using such fittings, you just need to insert the bare ends into the holes and, using moderate force, securely tighten the screws. The wire itself must not be transferred. Having figured out how to properly connect electrical wires using terminals, it is worth exploring other equally reliable methods.

Terminal method evaluation: Excellent mounting quality. Their price is acceptable. Pretty neat and easy to install. A good opportunity to connect different conductors, for example, aluminum and copper.

Blocks are not recommended to connect aluminum and stranded chains. This is due to the high fragility of aluminum wires and the great flexibility of the stranded wire conductors themselves. But overall a decent method.

Spring terminals

Fast installation of electrical networks is sometimes simply necessary. For example, to conduct temporary lighting on a balcony, terrace, gazebo. wago spring terminals are an excellent product for this kind of work. A modern and of course reliable way to connect wires. Although they are new on the market for electrical fittings, installation using spring terminals is quick and, importantly, convenient.

The main difference between the use of the vago terminal blocks themselves: it is more convenient to connect any wires in electrical boxes with them than with twisting. Here, for high-quality installation, a unique clamping mechanism is used, and not a simple screw. Manufacturers produce both disposable and reusable vago systems.

In the usual version, this product is used for one-time use; it cannot be restored during repair work in the future. It is removed and replaced with a new one.
Reusable wago terminals are a little more expensive, but with the help of them you can disconnect the assembled contacts several times, rewiring the circuit to suit your needs. This speeds up the process of repairing or mounting permanent and temporary networks. A simple lever-type mechanism has the advantage that it is possible to carefully but accurately fix any wire without damaging or transferring it.

With the help of vago, fastening yourself is simple, you need to strip the insulation and insert the necessary cores into the mounting hole. Clamp with a lever. It's important to do it right.

wago clamp system rating: A unique possibility of combining any, aluminum, copper and other conductors. There is an option for connecting multi-core cables at the same time (two or more).

wago universal clamps allow you to fix any thin stranded conductor without damaging it. Another plus is the compact size of the pads.

wago self-clamping terminals

Excellent quality and durability. The Vago block has a technological hole that gives access to a screwdriver with a voltage indicator. The operation of any power line can be checked at any time. Perhaps one drawback is the considerable cost of the terminals themselves. But this type of wire connection is the most modern and fastest.

Insulation with PPE caps

Deciphering the product is not difficult, connecting insulating clips (PPE). They are ordinary nylon or plastic caps with an internal lock.

The simplest type of wire connection, it is carried out after twisting the conductors themselves, lived. Caps are often used to connect wires in junction boxes, to mark connections with the desired color.

Evaluation of the use of such products: Relatively low cost of PPE. The use of safe material eliminates the ignition of electrical wiring. Easy installation, put on a twist of wires and you're done. Such caps have a large range of colors, which is convenient. Of course, if the wires are not marked with color, colored PPEs have the ability to determine, or simply mark, zero, phase and other necessary power lines.

There are also disadvantages: Insufficient level of fixation. Stranded type of wires can be mounted only after soldering.

Installation of networks using sleeves

This option claims to be the most reliable connection method. Any on loads and quality of wires.

Crimping wires with sleeves

Conductive wires are inserted into a special tube - a sleeve, and crimped with a certain force. There is one, but. The cross section of the wires must not exceed the cross section of the sleeves to be mounted. After inserting and crimping the clip, the sleeve is carefully insulated with a heat shrink tube, or with the help of other insulating materials.

Overall score. A great way to securely connect wires. The direction of the conductors can be from different sides of the tube or from one side. Sleeves are quite inexpensive. A good way to securely connect the wires to each other.

There are also disadvantages. Single use sleeves, they are not collapsible. For the production of such work, you will need a tool: pressing tongs, which are also used as a special tool. They remove the insulation. They have a crimping device in their arsenal, and electrical work takes a little more time.

Soldering or welding wires

This method is reliable. Typically, this method of connection in a junction box first involves stripping and twisting the ends, after which they are dipped into heated solder. The connection of aluminum wires to aluminum is preferably carried out by soldering. Then they are isolated with a heat pipe or insulating tape.

Evaluation of the soldering method. It gives strong circuit contacts and excellent quality, not expensive, it is the most reliable with the way of connecting electrical wires in a soldered box.

Technological disadvantage. You can't do without a soldering iron. The speed of work is not high. The connection is naturally not detachable. It follows from this that soldering is done in extreme cases, using more modern methods of connection. Among the masters, he has not been popular for a long time, because it takes more time.

There is also a rare method of connecting electrical wires, by welding. The process is similar, but requires the use of a special welding machine, of course, and certain skills.

Contact twisting method

Not a new, one might say "grandfather" method, it consists of a spiral twisting of the cores among themselves. The essence of all work is to twist the stripped conductors with the help of pliers, and cover the place of twisting with insulation. Here, perhaps, are all the ways of twisting wires.

Evaluation of this connection method. High speed of all installation works. The cost is minimal.

Flaw. It is forbidden to connect together twists of different composition, copper and aluminum wires., oxidation is inevitable. According to the regulatory framework, twisting wires in a junction box is not recommended for use in rooms with combustible materials, high humidity, basements, as well as in any house built of wood. More details about the twisting method. I definitely recommend watching a video about what is better twisting or Vago terminal blocks.

Clamping device for wires "walnut"

Such a device is simply a cable clamp with two plates inside and several tightening screws, usually in the corners. It is enough to fasten the wire to the plate itself. After that, put on a shell of carbolite on top.

Grade. A great way to connect any electrical wires in a junction box, large and medium size. Definitely, these types of products are quite comfortable and have a high degree of protection. It makes it possible to quickly connect a wire to a track with a thick section without breaking it.