I want to thank @bill.d for his recommendation regarding electrical connectors.
“I use the Wago Lever-Nuts. Connections can be undone, they don't damage the wires, and they can be used with stranded wiring. Make sure to buy the Wago brand, Amazon has some Chinese copies.”
I just did my first install using the Wago Lever Nuts and they worked great. If you’ve ever had a problem with the wire nuts coming undone as you try to fit all the wires into the box, use these!
The actual Wago brand is now available on Amazon.
221 Series Lever Nuts® for Standard Electrical Applications
Pull the orange lever up, insert a stripped conductor, and push lever back down - done. WAGO's 221 Series compact splicing connectors easily, quickly, and safely connect solid, stranded, and fine stranded wires ranging from 24-10 AWG (0.14-6mm2)
I have used tons of wago 222, but recently switched to 221.
They are awesome. And tough - I've never had a wire fall out of a wago connector after verifying a good seat with a quick tug test. Never. I sure as heck can't say that for wire nuts...
Yep, these are all I use now when I do electrical work. I love being able to easily mix stranded/solid together and even different gauges of wire when necessary.
The 221-41x series are good for #24 - #12 wires (so anything from bell wire, thermostat wire, all basic outlets, lighting, etc) and the 221-61x series take up to #10 wire. Less common use cases for that 61x series, but still nice to have.
Advice to avoid chinese knock-offs on Amazon is solid. Genuine Wagos aren't cheap, but they're UL-certified and well worth the peace of mind.
