Harbor Freight launched new Vanguard lever nut-style wire connectors, with the price box encouraging users to compare them to Wago’s 221 series products.
In case you’re not familiar with lever-style wiring connectors, they serve the same function as wire nuts for splicing several wires together.
Harbor Freight’s lever nuts are only available in an assortment right now, with a mix of 2-, 3-, and 5-conductor connectors.
Harbor Freight says their new lever nut connectors are “compatible with solid standard and flexible copper wires,” although they don’t provide an AWG range of compatible wire sizes.
The connectors come in a 25pc assortment:
- 2-conductor (10x)
- 3-conductor (10x)
- 5-port conductor (5x)
Harbor Freight’s specs listing says that the connectors have UL certification.
Price: $10
Discussion
Wago introduced their upgraded 221-series products several years ago and Ideal recently launched their own In-Sure lever wire connectors. There are also many lookalike 3rd party products that never seem to have mention of safety certifications.
Harbor Freight’s 25pc assortment might be suitable for users looking to get started with this style of connector, but probably won’t be appealing for users that need higher quantities of specific sizing.
What’s the AWG size range? Do the connectors have test probe access holes? What’s the voltage rating?
Wago’s 5-conductor 221-415 connector, for example, has IEC approval to 450V and 32A, and UL approval to 600V and 20A. The Wago 221 can accept wires 24 to 12 AWG, stranded or solid, and require an 11mm strip length, which is marked on each connector.
These Vanguard connectors… work with “solid standard and flexible copper wires,” and require “properly stripped wire.”
There’s also mention on the product page of “color-coded insulated sleeves for different wire sizes,” which could be talking about end ferrules that don’t look to be included with the 25pc assortment.
It’s worth repeating that Harbor Freight’s product page say these connectors have UL certification. Hopefully the in-store packaging has all of the other relevant specs printed on it or an insert.
