Ideal's Wire-Nut wire connectors gain important UL safety rating

Ideal Industries Inc. announced that its Wire-Nut 73B wire connector line has received Underwriters Laboratories' UL 2043 Air Handling Safety Rating. The company says the new rating enables technicians to now safely and cost-efficiently use Wire-Nut 73B black or orange wire connectors on Class 2 or low-voltage connections inside plenums, ducts, and other spaces used for environmental air handling - such as the space above a drop ceiling or below a raised flooring system - without enclosing the connection within an electrical box.

"Air handling spaces can let fire and smoke travel quickly from one area of the building to another," notes Ben Swedberg, business unit manager of electrical connections for Ideal. "The Wire-Nut 73B wire connector with its fire-retardant thermoplastic shell has been verified to limit the amount of smoke and heat generated when exposed to a fire. Being able to now use this connector without the need for installing a J-box in these types of areas can save an electrician time and money. They are a safer, more economical way to connect in air handling spaces."

Life-safety requirements issued by the National Fire Protection Association in NFPA90A specify what components and systems can be installed within an air handling space. The IDEAL Wire-Nut 73B wire connector line meets those requirements.

Ideal notes that there are two models within the Wire-Nut product line:
• Standard Wire-Nut 73B Wire Connector (Orange) - This connector has a square-wire spring to eliminate the pre-twisting of wire for installation. Rated for up to 600V and 105◦C (221◦F), the Orange 73B connectors are suitable for the deployment of low-voltage wiring in air handling spaces where a box is not required, such as speaker installation, video cables, or security/alarm systems.

• High Temperature Wire-Nut Wire Connector (Black) - This connector has all the same features of the standard Wire-Nut but is rated for temperatures up to 150◦C (302◦F).

Ideal adds that its Wire-Nut wire connectors' fixed, square-wire spring creates its own threads when applied; assuring a secure positive grip that will not relax over time. To help reduce the occurrence of turned-back wire strands, the Wire-Nut wire connectors also feature a deep, wide skirt that prevents against flash-over while guaranteeing maximum dielectric protection. Contractors appreciate that no-pretwisting is required with Wire-Nut wire connectors, resulting in faster, trouble-free installations on busy job sites, contends the company.