How to connect 7 12 ga wires in box

[CORT]

I am installing a 6 zone Lutron Grafik Eye controller and trying to figure out how to connect 7 12 ga neutrals and 7 12 ga grounds. The largest wire nut that I can find, Ideal Industries 454 wire nut, can bond 6, not 7 wires. I can probably sneak an extra wire in the big wire nut, but I would prefer to keep it honest. Ideal makes a push in connector that can connect 8 wires. However, I am not sold on push in connectors. Moreover, I would have to buy a jar of 100, when I only need 2. Polaris makes some stout connectors, but their unit price is >$30 each.

So what's the proper way to do it while not breaking the bank?

 

[WayneW]

run 4 wires to one nut, 3 wires to the other nut, then add a short jumper between the nuts? that gives you 5 wires and 4 wires per nut.

 

[CORT]

run 4 wires to one nut, 3 wires to the other nut, then add a short jumper between the nuts? that gives you 5 wires and 4 wires per nut.

I've certainly given this some thought. I am curious to see if there is a way to do it with one connector. Thank you for the reply.

 

[CORT]

In the end, I used the two wire nut with jumper method for the neutrals (see the 2 big blue wire nuts). For the grounds, I twisted them together, then used a terminal lug and green ground screw to bond it to the metal box (upper left in back of box). Incidentally, one really has to plan how the wires will go in the box and fold when the Grafik Eye controller is mounted. There are 9 connections on the controller, excluding the low voltage wires!

 

[hucker]

I see that you are done but you might have a look at these:

http://www.globalspec.com/FeaturedProducts...nnector/54011/0

I bought a bunch and have used them on my recent work (DIY) and I find them very easy to work with and more compact that using wire nuts. I bought what appears to be a lifetime supply of 2/3/5 conductor sizes for about 25 bucks including shipping.

 

[icellama21]

I'm curious about why you chose the graphic-eye. The only use I've heard of thus far is to extend the number of loads on a radioRA system. Are you using the IR capabilities?

 

[CORT]

I'm curious about why you chose the graphic-eye. The only use I've heard of thus far is to extend the number of loads on a radioRA system. Are you using the IR capabilities?

At the moment, I am not using any of the Grafik Eye's IR capabilities, nor do I plan to. My two Graphic Eye controllers are not in areas where IR control is necessary. They are both installed in retrofit applications. The Grafik Eye is primarliy a standalone, hardwired device, and it works very well at that. It is particularly suited to my house's crazy exterior lighting scheme with 6 different switches controlling various accent lights, all illuminating as various scenes on a timed basis. I can still connect my Grafik Eyes to my Elk M1 to bring up a scene or two. I suppose that I could have replaced the house's individual manual toggle switches with various UPB or Zwave devices and installed scene controllers, but aesthetically it would still be a mass of switches and scene controllers. Quite simply, I like the way the Grafik Eye looks and operates. I am not sure I would specify Grafik Eyes if I were doing a new installation. I would look seriously at a central hardwired lighting control system--assuming I could afford it.

 

[DavidL]

I gave up on "nuts" for this type of situation. I use what I'll call "junction boxes" that I buy at Home Depot. They are tinted clear plastic blocks that have holes in them to accept a 12 / 14 gauge wire to be pushed in. They come with 4 / 5 / 6 etc holes as well as assortments. Much easier and cleaner and I find more reliable than "nuts".

EDIT...Oooops. I should have read your post more completely...you already know of the Ideal connectors.
They work great....

IDEAL Push In Connectors

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

I was shopping at Home Depot and noticed those Ideal connections. I bought some (even though I didn't need them) and was curious if anyone else was using them.

They do look like a good alternate to wire nuts.

 

[Steve]

I actually tried them more than 3 years ago on my touchscreen install. Here is a pic. The only thing is once the wire is in, that's it, you need to cut off the connector if you need access to wires again (or I guess it woould be possible to smash the thing open, but haven't tried). That's fine if you have enough slack, but in tight spots it may not be the best option. The Wago connectors that beelzebob got may be better since the wires are removable easily with a handle.