Switched from push connectors to Wagos on a big job in Phoenix

I was doing a 400amp panel swap last month and used push connectors on about half the neutrals. Had to pull 3 of them back out because they wouldn't seat right with the bundle. Swapped to lever Wagos for the rest and finished 2 hours faster. Anyone else have trouble with push connectors on thicker wire?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_finley2mo ago

Isn't it funny how some products work great until you push them past their limit? Same thing with those quick-connect fittings on air tools, they're fine for small stuff but start failing the second you put real pressure on them. Just seems like there's a pattern where the "easier" option is actually more picky about where you can use it.

tyler4922mo ago

Buddy of mine down in Tucson did a 200amp panel swap last year, swore by push connectors on the neutrals. First bundle of 6 stranded wires he tried, two of them just kept popping out every time he tugged on them. He ended up tossing the whole box of push connectors in the trash and finished the job with lever Wagos. Said he'd never waste time on those again, especially with anything thicker than 10 gauge.

evan_jenkins2mo ago

Why does it always feel like push connectors are just playing hide and seek with your patience until you switch to lever Wagos and suddenly everything cooperates? @tyler492 your buddy made the right call tossing those things, because once they start failing on thicker wire they never stop being a headache. Tugging on a popped neutral while your hands are full of other wires is the kind of fun nobody needs on a job that should be straightforward.