PSA: I was tightening wire nuts wrong for 8 years

I was on a service call last week at a house in Phoenix, swapping out a busted ceiling fan. When I went to pigtail the neutrals, I twisted the wires together first with my linesmans, then screwed the nut on top, just like I always did. The homeowner, who used to be an electrician back in the 90s, watched me and asked why I was wasting time. He said you just put the nut on and tighten it hard, the wires bind on their own inside. I thought he was nuts, but he showed me a connection he made that was rock solid with no pre-twist. I tested it on a scrap piece and honestly, it held way better and saved me 30 seconds per connection. Now I feel like an idiot for all those years of overthinking it. Has anyone else had a basic habit get called out by a old timer like that?

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1 Comment

diana1551mo agoMost Upvoted

Nah, pre-twisting prevents slip-outs and makes a way stronger bond.