7 FATAL Wiring Mistakes Most DIYers Don't Know They Are Making | Most Are Guilty of 3

Be honest, how many of these did you catch yourself doing or have done in the past? I think at some point just about everyone has committed at least a few of these at some point.

Hi professional European electrician here. Wire nuts are pretty uncommon here, indeed I´ve never seen one in use here. The WAGOs are really hard to open, I can´t imagine that this could happen by accident. (theoretically when you pull in backwards direction only.) And all the information you need to know is printed on them: Voltage, current, wire style, AWG, cross section, even the strip length (as picture for the true length and also as number). Additionally the same information huge on the paper box. So if you are able to read...they are pretty safe. They even have a hole to check voltage without the need to open the connection. Tests show that they are more safe than screwd junctions and as soldered junctions.

I've been watching vids in preparation for installing a pendant - and then to figure out why it didn't work (lol). Huge problem with a lot of them is that the person talks through what they're doing BUT they don't show close ups. "Then you twist the wires into..." but showing the guy saying that instead of the wires so you have no idea what they actually did or what it should look like. This video cleared up about 10,000 (okay - hyperbole - but after all of these vids it feels that way!) questions and misunderstandings in less than 15 minutes. Just wish I'd found this one first! Great job.

Professional electrician here. I've worked in many houses and commercial buildings. My company does everything with WAGO. It grips the wire really well, it's really easy to make a proper connection and tests show it can handle electric issues much better than any other connectors. We use wire strippers to get perfect amount of wire isolation removed. I never faced the issues pointed in this video.

This adds a good layer of robustness. I usually try to pre-twist, but with this explanation I feel a greater necessity for this level of detail and I shall improve my method. Thanks!

I love the WAGOs. Your starter frame just shows, "Bad" and points to the Wago which would lead people to think they are a bad option when they are really a great option and probably the safest option for beginner \ DIYers who would make some of the other mistakes you pointed out with the twist caps. Thanks for the videos.

DIY guy here.... Never had any of the shown issues with the WAGOs. If you have concerns with the levers or little space in a box, there are lever-less connectors as well (which work with solid wires only). 👍🏼

This was invaluable advice to aid me in installing a smart light switch in my kitchen. I struggled to the point of giving up for more than a year because of the three solid wires I'd need to join to the stranded wire of the light switch for the neutral connection. The Wagos really helped with this.

I love your mention of the WAGO connectors. I started using them in industrial work several years ago because you never know when you might need to move, remove, or update either a circuit or a heavy device like a motor. I've seen more than enough stranded wire just totally messed up and continually shortened by using wirenuts. The result is usually inadequate wire available for solid contact.

Learning this in hobby electronics as a kid makes these lessons seem like common sense but it's AMAZING WHAT YOU FIND IN THE WILD.

I have been doing DIY wiring since circa 1955 and am prepping for my final rewiring of an old house. I am sure I am guilty of the mistakes you illustrate. I will be doing a much better (and safer) job this time, thanks to you.

Really appreciate how straight forward, concise, and knowledgeable you are!

It's great that WE don't make these mistakes but thank you for posting this kind of stuff because maybe you'll save a DIYer's life! Great stuff! Details matter.

Thanks for the tips. Just when you use the piers to twist the cable together, make sure that you twist it the same direction as you would twist it with the wire nut. Otherwise, the twisting done later by the wire nut, may untwist the previous twisting you have done before.

I love Wagos, they are fantastic especially when you are on a ladder trying to terminate a fixture with one hand. If you are not convinced, they are German engineered and I have been using them for decades and never had one fail.

Great job on providing awareness and safety! One item not covered is the non-lever "Way-Go" which is typically used in the industry, especially since the lever model is still starting to gain popularity. But from a cost point (I have purchased >100K) the non-level is much more economical and has less chance of, as you stated, pushing the lever and releasing the wire. Another good point with the "Way-Go" is that you can test the voltage through the top holes without exposing yourself to any bare copper.

I have found wirenuts in walls remodeling that were actually split open. One had 12 gauge wires in it like you demonstrated, but rather than change the nut they added a couple outlets by undoing that nut and cramming another 2 wires in. It was hilarious, and a bit scary. Side note: I ripped every wall down, and redid all the wiring properly. It's odd, but I enjoy waking up not on fire. I'm just weird that way.

As a new home owner with zero electrician training, your videos are a godsend. Thank you.

I started my apprenticeship 5/91. The journeyman i tooled with taught me to pre twist the wires and to put the stranded wire just past the solid one. Over 3 decades later I'm still doing it with success. I've just come across the Wago and plan to use them for connecting control valve wiring on a job this summer. Great video my late tool buddy would give it a thumbs up.

I just had an electrician out to do a 240w EV install and to troubleshoot a breaker that keeps tripping. I think you may have just helped me solve my DIY and the trip issue. Thank you. Most helpful! P.S. He replaced the breaker and offered to come back to help further if it continues to trip. Great guy.