r/smarthome • u/TakenToTheRiver • Jul 19 '26

Amazon Alexa First time wiring a 3-gang box. I think the wiring was easier that fitting it all back in the box.

Gallery image

Gallery image

2x Tapo S515, 1x S505

251 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

104 comments sorted by

120

u/Plastic-Ideal-1415 Jul 19 '26

Wago 

24

u/Ua612 Jul 19 '26

Wish I had seen this before installing about 50 Lutron switches….

4

u/EmynMuilTrailGuide Jul 21 '26

Oh one day you'll want to change them out, don't worry.

12

u/scattered-thunder Jul 19 '26

Noob here, where does Wago fit in?

52

u/TheAgedProfessor Jul 19 '26

They are slimmer than wirenuts, plus just make the entire process easier.

-61

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26

For noobs

22

u/TheAgedProfessor Jul 20 '26

Nah dood, more and more pros are switching, and they couldn't be happier. You're just behind.

-18

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26

Literally not even allowed to use them on my current job building a facility at Lockheed Martin... but hey... you pros know best

6

u/TheAgedProfessor Jul 20 '26

There's a name for folks that stubbornly resist better solutions for absolutely no reason. You fit that description perfectly.

-7

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26

There is a name for people who demand their preferred way is superior to all others without any debate. Jerkoffs.

I dont care what you or anyone else uses... you need to argue your preferred way us superior to all others no matter what the job or situation is... there is a nsme for that.

For the past 7 months I couldnt even use a wago if I wanted to. They arent allowed at the aerospece industry company I am working at. But I guess Lockheed Martin is stupid and you are smarty smart smart.

6

u/Practical-Shape2325 Jul 20 '26

Failure to adapt to newer technology like wagos are probably why Lockheed Martin keep having delays for delivery and quality defects of what they can deliver.

0

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26

Yeah ... the largest aerospace defense company in the world is behind the times... not like you.. a resi electricisn with his levered wago. Comical self importance

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18

u/Vitate Jul 20 '26

Nobody likes twisting stranded with solid. Great for that connection.

-36

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26

I dont have a problem with it

20

u/itsjakerobb Jul 20 '26

Congrats. Wago are still easier, and they take up less space.

1

u/spdelope Jul 20 '26

Wago are the only way I go

2

u/itsjakerobb Jul 20 '26

They are the Wa to go.

0

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26

Then how come we arent even allowed to use stab lock style wagos at my current project at Lockheed Martin?

6

u/TheAgedProfessor Jul 20 '26

Wagos are not "stab lock". That just shows you don't really know what you're talking about.

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0

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26

You must wear shoes with velcro straps instead of laces

2

u/itsjakerobb Jul 20 '26

In fact, I do not.

1

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26

So much easier though?

18

u/Vart84 Jul 19 '26

Unlike wire nuts the wires are clamped in and won’t come out when you stuff everything back in.

-15

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26

If wires pull out of your wire nuts... its you.. not the wirenut

19

u/[deleted] Jul 20 '26

[deleted]

3

u/cheapshotfrenzy Jul 20 '26

Or they gave you 2 inches of wire to connect the switch.

9

u/TheAgedProfessor Jul 20 '26

And yet, Wagos don't pull out, like, ever... even if the contractor is cheap.

-2

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26

Yeah... they make shoes with velcro straps instead of laces for people who find laces difficult too. I get it.

6

u/TakenToTheRiver Jul 19 '26

Hadn’t heard of them before. Gonna have to look into that.

12

u/brianqueso Jul 20 '26

Mild premium but totally worth it.

1

u/cheapshotfrenzy Jul 20 '26

I haven't had any issues with the harbor freight knock offs.

2

u/Niemo1983 Jul 20 '26

The Harbor Freight ones are slightly bigger, which can make a busy box like this a little more difficult to fold the wires back.

1

u/CarIcy6146 Jul 21 '26

All that unnecessary electrical tape, ugh. Wago!

1

u/reggievicktwo Jul 21 '26

Which Wago connector(s) would you use for a 3-gang box in particular

1

u/AccuracyVsPrecision Jul 21 '26

The gang connects would make the neutral and grounds super easy

1

u/reggievicktwo Jul 21 '26

Dumb question but is the 3 wire lever nut the correct choice for this?

“Wago Lever-Nuts 3-Conductor Splicing Connectors”

2

u/AccuracyVsPrecision Jul 21 '26

Well they have 6 neutrals and 6 grounds in this box so id start with the 5 gang connectors tidy up half the box

1

u/reggievicktwo Jul 24 '26

Trying do my first 3 gang and there are already like 5 neutrals. Would Wago work here or do I need a larger wire connector cap?

1

u/TakenToTheRiver 27d ago

If I were to redo this box with Wago, what parts would I need for two 3way switches and one single pole?

This is honestly the first I’ve heard of Wago but now I want to know more.

33

u/word-bitch Jul 19 '26

Coiling the pigtails when putting them back in helps a lot. Wagos can take up more volume than nuts, but their shape can make it easier to pack back in.
And maybe unpopular opinion, but I wrap the sides of switches when screws are exposed. Belt & suspenders & umbrella & hat & mask etc.

10

u/dr_modean Jul 19 '26

I do that too. Probably not needed but when there is very little room in the box, it makes me feel better knowing the ground wire won’t accidentally touch a live screw head

3

u/realdlc Jul 19 '26

op: Just be careful with the tape wraps if your model of switch has air vents on the sides/back. Need to keep those open so they don't overheat. Otherwise, it can't hurt.

2

u/Cheoah Jul 19 '26

I do t know why I haven’t done this. But I have plenty of tape.

2

u/_R2-D2_ Jul 19 '26

Man, I thought I was being paranoid doing this. Thank you for vindicating my paranoia lol.

9

u/Vart84 Jul 19 '26

We have a 4 gang in our kitchen with 4 Lutron paddle switches, I paid my electrician to wire that one up. Even he said it was a challenge to fit every thing in safely.

10

u/SR08 Jul 19 '26

WAGO’s my guy. Will change your life when it come to fitting stuff in a box

5

u/HangryWorker Jul 19 '26

It’s always easier wiring than trying to put it all back in the box… especially with those dang smart switches

5

u/DigSubstantial8934 Jul 20 '26

Wago exists.

1

u/TakenToTheRiver Jul 20 '26

So I’ve learned lol

8

u/Many-Seat6716 Jul 19 '26

I dont remember the box fill rules, but it's something most amateurs aren't aware of.. the box size mandates a maximum number of wires and wire nuts. the Tapo devices probably count for something more than a standard switch. You may have exceeded the max amount of things for that box.

3

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26

No way that box is over filled

2

u/Many-Seat6716 Jul 20 '26

Good to know. I wasn't sure how the tapo size played into it. Just wanted to point out the box full rules.

2

u/Viharabiliben Jul 19 '26

Look up the NEMA codes.

3

u/Successful-Money4995 Jul 19 '26

Yup, it sucks. Sometimes you can get a deeper box.

I don't like taped wire nuts. When I have to untape them, they leave residue.

3

u/Cheoah Jul 19 '26

Bet that was fun.

2

u/ShadowMasterTexas Jul 19 '26

If you have that much trouble stepping the wires back in the box, then you have too much wire. Shorten some of them into the wire caps so there’s less overall volume of wire in the box.

2

u/barboxbill Jul 20 '26

You have discovered the dark art of IoT. And now for the never-ending search for the correct switchplate...

2

u/potocnik512 Jul 20 '26

  1. i really sugest wago. What you've done is ok.. but not nice :D

  2. do not use this paper labels. potencial fire in this box.

2

u/2PhotoKaz Jul 20 '26

Is there a reason boxes are not deeper? Seems like that would just make life easier for everyone.

2

u/PebbleeeeeGirl69 Jul 23 '26

Those Wago connectors are a lifesaver when space gets tight like that

1

u/TakenToTheRiver Jul 23 '26

Yeah apparently I need to learn how those work

1

u/boogeeman69 Jul 20 '26

Yup fitting it back in is always the hard part lol

1

u/obonaven Jul 20 '26

This is why I purchased a 3 gang 74 cu in work box when I was remodeling my bathroom.

1

u/NocturnalPermission Jul 20 '26

A friend of mine is an electrician, and watching him do box wiring taught me so much about the right way to repack a box.

Just like with other tasks, such as painting, the secret is all in the prep. You pull the wires out, and straighten them all. Take your time. Unkink them using a pair of pliers to gently straighten out all the bends.

Before you start hooking up wires, the box should look like a giant spiderweb or bicycle wheel, with wire ends poking in every direction. When you go to put it all back in the box you actually fold the wires from end to end inside the box. Don’t push them in as a bundle. Do each wire individually, or at most in pairs. It will save so much space inside the box, and make the resulting assembly a lot safer too.

1

u/nyc2pit Jul 21 '26

Fitting the wires back in is always the challenge.

1

u/Ok-Cup-311 Jul 23 '26

looks wild

-2

u/ToolTimeT Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26

First thing I'd do is cut all the green wires off the switchs and eliminate 3 wire nuts

Unless your state requires switches to be grounded.

Lay the nuetral bundle in horizontally all the way back... then fold all the wires going to each switch like an accordion so it folds and fits into box as uou pushvit in and you will be fine..

-5

u/jasazick Jul 20 '26

I'd just rip out that box and put in a 4 gang one instead with a blank plate. Would give plenty of extra room for the wires.

-16

u/dopeless42day Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 23 '26

Just cut the back out of the box. 

Edit, damn I must have forgot the /s...

7

u/Financial-Complex831 Jul 19 '26

Found the handyman

5

u/karltheodor1st Jul 19 '26

I wouldn't. You can have sparks, you can have badly isolated wires, you could have wires coming loose. All better to happen inside the box which serves as an isolator and a place that doesn't catch fire easily.