After this week’s reviews of Wago Wall-Nuts and Lever-Nuts connectors, you might be a little sick of hearing about Wago wire connectors. This will be the last one, I promise!
In the comments section of the Lever Nuts review, someone asked whether Wago makes a similar style connector that is engineered for higher-power equipment, such as air compressors, welders, and other shop equipment.
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I don’t think they make larger or higher power connectors, but I spent a few minutes on Wago just to be sure. What I found was that Wago looks to be replacing 222-style connectors with a new and improved model.
The new 221-series wiring connectors are appreciably smaller than 222-series Lever-Nuts. According to Wago, the new 221 wiring connectors require 40% less space.
Not only are the new connectors smaller, they also have clear see-through housings that let installers check their work.
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Plus, it looks like the new connectors have larger easier-to-lift levers.
AND, according to the specs mentioned in Wago’s press release, they can handle higher current connections as well. The maximum current rating will be 20A, the same as with the 222-series connectors. *
As with the Lever-Nuts, there will be 3 sizes: 2-conductor (221-412), 3-conductor (221-413), 5-conductor (221-415).
Specifications/Ratings
- Accepts “fine wire” 0.14 – 4mm ^2, and 0.2 – 4mm ^2 stranded and solid wire
- Voltages up to 450V
- Current up to
32A20A* - Built-in probe test holes
- Temperatures up to 105°C, ambient up to 60°C
It looks like the new connectors are safety-rated for worldwide use.
*Wago USA has explained that the 32A rating is in accordance with IEC and international standards. For the USA market and applications, the 221’s maximum current rating will be based on its maximum conductor size – 12 AWG – and will thus be 20A.
Press Release(via Wago)
Buy Now:
2-Conductor Pack
3-Conductor Pack
5-Conductor Pack
The PR is in German, but if you’re browsing with Google Chrome, it should offer to translate the page automatically for you. If you’re using something else, here is a link to the translated press release.
Pricing information will be available later in the year when the 221-series connectors are ready to launch in the USA. In the meantime, Wago USA offered reassuring words that the 222 LEVER-NUTS are NOT going away anytime soon.
Update: These connectors cost around the same as the 222-series connectors, costing more by an almost insignificant amount.
KenZ
I’d sure like to see these guys license this out for light switches and socket modules. Yeah yeah, it’s not that hard to use the screwdriver and lock on the wires, but…
chad
The recent stories on these products are interesting. Thanks for sharing them as I can see a few nice uses for these along with the wire nuts I have been using.
Jerry
I think these would be wonderful in a classroom situation, or even for teaching your kids about electricity. To easily be able to connect, unhook, and re-connect wiring over and over again, without damage to the wire, sounds like one of the best things to use in that sort of situation. I imagine coming up with various wiring scenarios to demonstrate circuits, using an extension cord as a power source (so I KNOW the circuit is not live when unplugged) and showing them how the electricity goes through when you flip the switch.
Stuart
Possibly, but there are simpler devices out there intended for educational purposes. One of the first sets I convinced my parents to buy me had arrays of pullable springs which were far easier to use and make connections with.
Last weekend I helped my young cousin wire up a Snap Circuits project. Little Bits and other snap-together modular projects are also very good for teaching electronics principles.
Jerry
I was thinking of when they advance to the point of doing ‘real’ wiring. I passed the journeyman electricians test, and can do pretty much any household wiring, and something like these would let me teach circuit wiring with the actual components that we might use in the house, garage, or shop. Nothing like seeing how to wire 3 way and 4 way switches, to learn how to hook them up. I was thinking of putting short pigtails on the switches, lights, etc, and using these lever connectors as an easy way to hook, unhook, or switch around wiring. As for the little box with the springs to hook up the wires to diffent diodes, relays, etc. I know exactly of what you speak. I still have mine from when I was a youngster.
Mr Michael L. Veach
Now these look very interesting. I would trust these at 20 amps.
RKA
Give us a heads up when the 221’s show up this side of the pond! I ordered the 222’s after reading your post about those. They are pretty small as it is, the 221’s would be great! The little levers are very robust and snap shut with a bit of force. They won’t snap shut accidentally, and despite the warnings others posted, I still managed to pinch my fingers more than a few times. I cycled those levers easily over 250 times while watching a movie and there is no sign of degradation. They just work! I’m actually a bit surprised.
Raul Cardoza
According to this Wago document (page 49) these will be available in September of 2014:
LINK
The implication on page 48 is that these should only be used for lighting circuits (that’s all they show them used for), I’m wondering how suitable they are for 12 guage 20 amp outlet circuits?
R Cardoza
I tweeted to @WagoCorporation and asked when the 221 series will be available in the US and they said in July 2014. Plus you can request a sample by emailing [email protected]
Here’s a link to the tweet:
https://twitter.com/WAGOCorporation/status/455696342552444929
GB
What material is being used to make the connection between each conductor? Is it copper?
Stuart
Wago’s product sheet and specs don’t specify this.
Jonathan Lackman
It appears to be a copper connector. check here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8ZoofWsK8g
R Cardoza
I received a sample today from Wago in Germany. The sample pack contains one of each size (221-412, 221-413 and 221-415). I haven’t been able to find a supplier in the US yet though, they should be available now. Does anyone know who has them in stock in the US?
HammerDrillJoe
I contacted Wago US and I was told the 221 series would not go on sale until Q1 2015.
R Cardoza
I couldn’t wait until January, I have a job I need them for right now and our electrical permit is expiring soon. So I ordered them from soselectronic.com last week. They are located in Slovakia. I just received my shipment yesterday. For those who need these new Wago connectors now, this is an option but you will pay for it, about double compared to waiting and ordering it in the US next January. I ordered 80 pieces of each size (221-412, 221-413 and 221-415). The total cost after international shipping, customs / taxes, Euro to USD conversion etc. was $206.55 USD (the original order was for 125.52 EUR). The shipping was much quicker than expected (exactly 7 days, I ordered on Sep 15th). If you ever do need to order anything from Europe, these guys were great. The connectors I received have the same markings on them as the ones I got in the sample pack direct from Wago previously. They have all the necessary UL approval stamps on them for the US / Canada market.
R Cardoza
Meunier Electronic Supply in the USA now shows these on their website (I have not ordered from them):
https://www.meunierusa.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=wago+221-
Jonathan Lackman
I am ordering some from Meunier Electric right now, I will report back when I get them. I like that you order by the peice and don’t have to buy big boxes of them, and the prices seem pretty reasonable.
Jonathan
Meunier says these are not released to the USA until June 2015 so I was unable to order the 221 series.
L. Hayes
I wonder if these you be used to splice between aluminum wiring and copper and still meet code?
Robert Lanza
When are these really going to be available in the US. You wrote the review over a year ago. I just read your review last night (June 4th 2015)and figured they should be available by now, but I checked and they are not.
Can you find out any updated information on available in the US from the manufacturer?
Thanks.
Rob
Stuart
When I asked in April, I was told that Wago’s USA launch plans have been delayed. I wasn’t told anything more than that. They haven’t given me an updated ETA. This was a preview, not a review – I haven’t seen these in person yet, and am waiting for more news and availability info.
Peter
I’m getting some samples of the 221’s in a few days.
Their initial Europe release was so popular that all launch stock, (40+million pcs I’m told) were sold out in a few weeks and they’ve been struggling to keep up with demand in their primary launch market. The next few months will see their global release advance especially in 4th Qtr of 2015, as they are catching up with supply.
Robert Lanza
Thanks for the updates! I’m eager for the new model.
I ended up getting the present version, the gray 222 for now.
I’m not a certified electrician bit I’ve been telling all electricians I see about there (they are always in my complex).
They certianly have made it so easy.
The main thing I like about them is that I can flip the lever and take out only one wire from the bunch. I do this especially when I setup a connection that I’m not sure if with a test lamp. Then I remove the test lamp and hook in the real device.
I have found that when trying to stuff a few Wago’s back into the electrical box the fit is tight, so they take up more room.
When the new model does hit the US, it should solve that issue.
One tip: I found that sometimes when I close the lever, the, wire might not always have a good secure fit, so now I give a tug on each wire to make sure the closed level has a good clamp on the wire. Because when pushing it back into electrical box, it, could slip out if not clamped on hard by the lever. Just a bit of advise from using them now for almost a month.
I actually here today because I wanted to verify the amps that can be handled by this model. I wanted to make sure it can handle 20 circuits.
Rob
RE Cardoza
The new Wago 221s can handle 20 amps. Also they are clear plastic so you can see if the wire is inserted all the way. I’ve been using the 221s here in the US, but I had to order them from Europe (costs more, see my post above).
RE Cardoza
The new Wago 221 connectors have been released in the US, they are available all over the web, including Amazon.
RKA
I just picked these up last week after looking and waiting over a year. These were so much easier to deal with mounting a light fixture up on a ladder!! And the smaller size will be great when I install a few USB outlets around the house (very limited space inside the junction box).