2 conductors in the same Wago connector hole

[Daniel Howard]

I've just watched a video on youtube about installing a bathroom extractor fan off of the light switch.

In it the guy says how much easier this is when you use Wago connector blocks rather than a ceiling rose (about 7 and a half minutes in). He's using Wago 3-way lever connector 222 blocks, but of course 3 of the blocks need 4 connections, so he's shoved 2 conductors into the same hole.

Is this safe / ok? I guess 5-way connectors wouldn't fit in the box, and (as far as I can tell) they don't sell 4-way connectors.

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[sparksfly]

Solid core, stranded or flex?

I have doubled up on twisted flex and solid cores... no problem , again needs a pull test every time. I prefer the lever wagos to ideal ones in my experience...just like i'm fussy about the quality of basic connector blocks I still use.

 

[mattg4321]

I can see how you could possibly get a good connection with two small flexible conductors in one wago port/pole, but I definitely wouldn't with solid core. Asking for trouble IMO

 

[telectrix]

got some "wagos" from China this week. half the price. look identical except they don't carry the wago logo. seem well made. will be testing in a day or 2, sending 30A through them, see how good they really are.

 

[mattg4321]

But is it Way-Go or Wah-Go

 

[elsparko]

I certainly would never do that. It doesn't take many brain cells to imagine that there is a high chance of a poor quality connection doing this, especially with solid core conductors as the dipstick in the video has done.

On a side note, anybody using wire strippers isn't a proper sparks

dunno about that lol, i had to resort to using wire strippers after a few weeks of making electrical control boards for refrigeration trucks, the set my boss had cost a fair bit though not the average crap pulled off the shelf, handy for single core cables with stranded conductor i think

 

[Squid]

3 pages in and no one noticed "Bulb" on the drawing, standards are slipping it seems on here.

 

[solarsavings]

But is it Way-Go or Wah-Go

Neither. It's vargo.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I have doubled up on twisted flex and solid cores... no problem , again needs a pull test every time. I prefer the lever wagos to ideal ones in my experience...just like i'm fussy about the quality of basic connector blocks I still use.

Sorry chap, but I can't believe any spark would try and put 2 conductors into one wago hole. It is designed for one conductor and the amount of pressure exerted on the conductor will have gone through many tests so that it could be deemed safe. To put 2 conductors is just crazy and would completely null the validity of all testing wago has done.
I don't think your 'pull' test quite ranks with the £50,000 wago spent on their tests.
Trying to stay polite (through gritted teeth)!

 

[DPG]

Agree with happyhippydad - they are designed and tested for one conductor only. Using them in any other way is introducing potential problems in years to come.

 

[Andy78]

got some "wagos" from China this week. half the price. look identical except they don't carry the wago logo. seem well made. will be testing in a day or 2, sending 30A through them, see how good they really are.

Heard some bad things about the quality of these connectors, with some failures.
Are they the older lever type 222 ? Apparently the copyright expired on the design so there are loads of copies now, of varying quality.

I'm using the new compact lever type 221 and they are brilliant.
I use this place as the cheapest I have found so far.

Wago Connectors - Discount Electrical - http://www.discount-electrical.co.uk/section.php/109906/1/wago-connectors

 

[pirate]

Kinda going with the one hole-one cable theory too. I mean, they are designed for one cable, gastight and sprung accordingly. I seem to recall many queries about poor connections and often a chocblock with 2 or 3 cables, often mixed solid and stranded, cause a problem...it's a mechanical thing, isn't it? OK, many chocblocks have survived the test of time with multiple cables in them, but in today's environment, can you certify a circuit as safe, even if all the readings check out, if connectors are used in a fashion they were not designed for? Might you fall foul of a court case when you used connectors in a non-designated fashion?
Just asking, for the debate...
I guess the loading has a bearing too...
Similarly, if you try to terminate 3 x 2.5 in a socket, you might struggle with some brands, especially if you have some old stranded in there. Maybe it's a judgement call which all you good guys just kinda know, by how well the screws tighten up...no torque drivers!...

But then, we have a question over crimping...terminals too small. so crimp the stranded to single core, and in they go! They aren't going to be disturbed, so will probably last forever...but a good old "tug test" is about all you can do.
It's all about, good, clean, tight connections, no? However they are made...

 

[Toneyz]

Why does everyone think they have to be a vlogger?
I thought this thread was about Wango's
Lamp not bulb
Then I saw the fan being fixed with gripfill
Then I saw Tel's top neon screwdriver.

 

[Pete999]

Why does everyone think they have to be a vlogger?
I thought this thread was about Wango's
Lamp not bulb
Then I saw the fan being fixed with gripfill
Then I saw Tel's top neon screwdriver.

What are these Wangos like Ant, any good?

 

[Toneyz]

Never used them, Pete.

 

[7029 dave]

One hole, one conductor. Does that sound rude,?

 

[camerabloke]

What are wangos?

 

[camerabloke]

What are wangos?

 

[Pete999]

One hole, one conductor. Does that sound rude,?

Depend on what hole you are talking about.

 

[pirate]

what's a vlogger?
a vlwangooer?
a wangovler?
a wagovler?
a wago lover?
that's me!

and whatever hole Pete, one at a time is the way to go, mate!

 

[Rpa07]

One hole, one conductor. Does that sound rude,?

It always worked for him!

 

[7029 dave]

View attachment 42307
It always worked for him!

HA HA it certainly did. RIP Bob Grant.

 

[Midwest]

In my early experiences with Wagos, I did try the two conductors in one hole (no smutty remarks please), non twisted and one or other conductor would withdraw prematurely . I then became more experienced and found twisting two conductors together gave some satisfaction.

Finally, as I grew in experience I realised one could have more fun when using Wago XL boxes, and you could have multiple pleasures.

 

[telectrix]

Heard some bad things about the quality of these connectors, with some failures.
Are they the older lever type 222 ? Apparently the copyright expired on the design so there are loads of copies now, of varying quality.

I'm using the new compact lever type 221 and they are brilliant.
I use this place as the cheapest I have found so far.

Wago Connectors - Discount Electrical - http://www.discount-electrical.co.uk/section.php/109906/1/wago-connectors

these are the 221 style.

 

[sparksfly]

Sorry chap, but I can't believe any spark would try and put 2 conductors into one wago hole. It is designed for one conductor and the amount of pressure exerted on the conductor will have gone through many tests so that it could be deemed safe. To put 2 conductors is just crazy and would completely null the validity of all testing wago has done.
I don't think your 'pull' test quite ranks with the £50,000 wago spent on their tests.
Trying to stay polite (through gritted teeth)!

Happyhippydad your comments are duly noted and also informative. In these times of covering ones back we can lose site of a little common sense. I certify/test my work and would not put others at risk. I do try things out.....just try it out and see...does it work, is it a secure connection or not? As for nulling Wago testing, I disagree. After using push fit connectors for over 7 years now you get to learn any limitations from using different brands/products you use. The problem now is because they are so quick to use users might overlook to check they are secure.

 

[Rpa07]

In my early experiences with Wagos, I did try the two conductors in one hole (no smutty remarks please), non twisted and one or other conductor would withdraw prematurely . I then became more experienced and found twisting two conductors together gave some satisfaction.

Finally, as I grew in experience I realised one could have more fun when using Wago XL boxes, and you could have multiple pleasures.

Now I think we need the ‘Dirty boy’ button if not just for most of @SWD s remarks!

 

[Midwest]

Happyhippydad your comments are duly noted and also informative. In these times of covering ones back we can lose site of a little common sense. I certify/test my work and would not put others at risk. I do try things out.....just try it out and see...does it work, is it a secure connection or not? As for nulling Wago testing, I disagree. After using push fit connectors for over 7 years now you get to learn any limitations from using different brands/products you use. The problem now is because they are so quick to use users might overlook to check they are secure.

All jokes aside, I have to agree with HHD and disagree with your good self. In my early use of Wagos, specifically lighting etc for bathroom refurbs, I did try a couple of occasions of putting two conductors into one lever clamp of a 222. It wasn't successful in my opinion. I progressed to twisting together of said conductors (typically cpc's), which I was fairly confident about.

However since the introduction of the Wago XL, there is no need to take any risks, minimal as they are. There is also the point if you having to 'double up' on connections, then a standard Wago box is too small for the amount of cables.

Try the Wago XL, you'll never look back

 

[johnduffell]

After using push fit connectors for over 7 years now you get to learn any limitations

That is exactly why scientific processes exist, because there are limitations of learning by gaining experience over a period of time. Not every problem becomes clear in time, to use a really extreme example the building regs were watered down over long periods of people trying things in small steps, eventually we were faced with that terrible incident last year in the tower block. Basically they skipped the scientific testing process because common sense told them what they were doing was similar and it looked ok in the end.
Not saying to conductors in one hole will cause a fire like that, but it's little decisions that can build up.

 

[Toneyz]

Now I think we need the ‘Dirty boy’ button if not just for most of @SWD s remarks!

Most I think all.

 

[Toneyz]

That is exactly why scientific processes exist, because there are limitations of learning by gaining experience over a period of time. Not every problem becomes clear in time, to use a really extreme example the building regs were watered down over long periods of people trying things in small steps, eventually we were faced with that terrible incident last year in the tower block. Basically they skipped the scientific testing process because common sense told them what they were doing was similar and it looked ok in the end.
Not saying to conductors in one hole will cause a fire like that, but it's little decisions that can build up.

Not using these connections and watching the video if 1.0mm was used rather than 1.5mm it would have fitted better you could see that what do the manufacturers say regarding two in one hole.

 

[leo79]

State of the wiring behind that triple pole