A mechanical wire connection is best described as which of the following?

• A. Solder joint.
• B. Terminal strip.
• C. Wire clamp.
• D. Crimp connector or a wire nut.

Answer: (D)

Mechanical wire connections join conductors by gripping them with a physical fastener rather than by melting metal together. A crimp connector or a twist-on wire nut accomplishes this by compressing or threading around the conductors to grip them firmly, creating a reliable electrical path through pressure and proper sizing. They’re quick to install, can be used in the field without heat, and are easily serviceable if a connection needs to be reworked. This is in contrast to a solder joint, which is a metallurgical bond formed by melting solder, or to a terminal strip, which is simply a place to land wires, or to a wire clamp that holds a wire in place but doesn’t itself form the joint between conductors. So, the best description of a mechanical wire connection is a crimp connector or a wire nut.