Wago Wire Connectors: 5 Important Things You Should Know (2023)

Every time I open a wire connection box, I ask the higher powers to help me find wires that are connected to Wago’s. A term used by electricians to describe the screwless spring clamp wire connectors that have made electricians’ daily work faster, safer, and more efficient.

In my experience, Wago’s have saved me time, allowing me to complete more tasks when installing electrical components and appliances. These wireless wire connectors are just one of the many technological advancements that the electrical trade sees on a regular basis. In this article, I’ll go over Wago’s in greater detail and explain why many electricians prefer them over standard wire connectors like wire nuts and wire connectors with screws.

Wago was the first company to use spring pressure technology to secure a connection between wires instead of tools and screws in 1951. Wago has also developed the push wire connector to make the task of connecting wires even easier.

1. What Is a Wago Wire Connector?

Wago wire connectors are screwless wire connectors that utilize spring clamp technology to provide a secure and simple wire connection. Wago has manufactured a wide range of components since its inception in 1951. However, among electricians, they are probably best known for manufacturing these relatively new types of wire connectors, which are used by skilled tradespeople all over the world.

Wago wire connectors have even become so popular that electricians commonly refer to them as “Wago’s.” Electricians primarily use two types of spring clamp Wago wire connectors: the 222 series, introduced in 2003, and the 221 series, introduced in 2015. The primary distinction between the 222 and 221 series is the 221’s slimmer design and transparent casing.

2. Wago Connectors vs. Traditional Wire Connectors: Which Is Better?

I, like many other electricians, have had the unpleasant experience of being shocked. In many ways, this incident has opened my eyes and given me much-needed respect for the dangers of electrical work. I’ve only felt this once, and I’ll do everything in my power and with my knowledge to never feel it again.

Also Read: Best tool brands for electricians (10 popular brands compared)

My first and only experience with being shocked was while working on removing wire connectors with screws from a wire connection box. In this unfortunate case, I was an apprentice who had not been properly trained in testing and securing safe conditions. I opened the box and began removing wires (that I thought were turned off on the circuit breaker), and received an electric shock.

Also read: What is the easiest way to strip wire fast?

First and foremost, electricians must be properly educated in the testing for a potential live current. However, I suspect that I would not have been shocked if the wires had been connected with Wago’s rather than standard wire connectors in this case. Wago’s is a better option in my opinion, not only because of the ease of use but also because it prevents us as electricians from placing a screwdriver on a potentially live current.

3. Do Electricians Really Prefer Wago Connectors?

In my experience working with other electricians, most prefer Wago wire connectors. This is due primarily to their ease of use and efficiency in quickly connecting wires. I have, however, spoken with some older and experienced sparkys who still prefer to use the traditional wire connector with screws.

Some electricians are accustomed to using standard wire nuts because they have done so for many years. In most cases, however, I find that electricians prefer Wago’s for the reasons stated previously. I can only share my own experiences and preferences, so I conducted a survey of 63 electricians to get an in-depth answer to this question.

Type of wire connector	Respondents	Percentage
Wago’s	44	70 %
Wire nuts	19	30 %

I must admit that it surprises me that there is still a sizable percentage of electricians who prefer to use wire nuts. However, as I suspected and as the survey indicates, the majority of electricians prefer Wago wire connectors. Wago wire connectors are preferred by 70% of respondents, while the “old school” wire nut is still used by 30%.

4. Are Wago Connectors Reusable?

First of all, it is important to mention that there are a variety of different types of Wago connectors on the market. The two main types of wire connectors examined in this article are the 221 and 222 Wago’s that utilizes spring clamp (or cage clamp) technology. This technology enables electricians to quickly (and without tools) connect wires together. Specifically, the spring clamp technology enables electricians to reuse these connectors while working with both solid and stranded wires.

Wago Wire Connectors	Reusable with the following types of wires
221 series (clamp technology)	Solid and stranded wires
222 series (clamp technology)	Solid and stranded wires
Wago push-in wire connectors	Only solid wires

Wago, on the other hand, manufactures a variety of small and compact push-in connectors. When installing solid wires, push-in wire connectors are only reusable in this instance. As a result, it is critical to understand the distinction between these two types of Wago wire connectors. On their website, you can find a more detailed explanation of how they use technology in the application of various types of conductors.

5. Do Wago Wire Connectors Meet Code?

DEKRA audit tests and audits Wago products to ensure they meet national electrical product standards. Dekra is an audit partner that conducts certifications in relation to national and international house standards After digging deeper into their website, a sample of the 221 series splicing wire connectors, for example, was examined to be in compliance with the current HD/EN and equivalent national standards. This is in terms of the US standard; however, you should also research the specific national code in relation to the product you’re considering using.

So Which Is It: Wago Connectors or Wire Nuts?

I might have been nursed into prefering the Wago connectors due to my education and training as an apprentice. However, I’ve noticed that Wago’s are increasingly being accepted as being the standard approach to connecting wires in both residential and construction settings, as these following respondents also note in the survey.

Wago is standard where I live. No such thing as wire nuts since the 70’s.

Survey respondent #1

Most countries with robust electrical standards stopped using wirenuts decades ago.

Survey respondent #2

For some electricians, it appears to be a non-issue in their daily lives. Wago’s have become such a well-known standard option that wire nuts are nearly extinct. One of the most exciting aspects of being an electrician, in my opinion, is seeing the technological advancements that keep this trade exciting.

Also read: Which tools are used to strip and cut wires?

I recently spoke with an electrician who has been in the business for over 30 years. According to him, many things have improved for the better, and he enjoys working as an electrician because of this.