Wire Connectors Guide (Canada): Marrettes, Lever & Push-In Explained
Pick a CSA-certified connector and stay inside its listed wire-size and conductor-count range. Twist-on "marrettes" are the traditional standard; lever-nuts handle mixed gauges and re-open; push-in are fast but less flexible. Outdoor or wet locations need a sealed/filled connector. Confirm the install with a licensed electrician.
Who this guide is for
Electricians and informed homeowners choosing the right wire connector for a junction box, fixture, or device — and sourcing the connector before the work starts.
What are the main types of wire connectors?
- Twist-on (marrettes / wire nuts): the traditional Canadian standard. A threaded insulated cap twisted over stripped conductors. Colour-coded by capacity and inexpensive.
- Lever-nuts (lever connectors): each conductor seats under its own lever. They accept mixed gauges, allow solid and stranded together, and re-open for changes.
- Push-in (push-fit) connectors: conductors push into spring-loaded ports. Fast and compact, but less flexible — typically tighter on accepted wire types and harder to re-work.
Maple stocks Ideal, Techspan, and Klein wire connectors across these styles.
How do I choose by wire gauge and number of conductors?
Every connector is listed for a specific wire-size range and a minimum and maximum number of conductors it can join. Two rules: stay inside the listed range, and never exceed the conductor count. A connector that is too large won't grip a single small wire; one that is too small won't close over the bundle. Match the connector to the gauges you're joining and how many conductors enter the splice, then confirm the application against the product's listing.
Are lever connectors approved for use in Canada?
Yes — provided the connector is CSA-certified (or carries another mark accepted by your authority having jurisdiction) and is used within its listed range. The connector type isn't what determines acceptance; certification and correct application do. Use any connector — twist-on, lever, or push-in — only for the wire sizes, conductor counts, and conditions printed on its listing.
This guide is for product education and project planning only. Electrical work must follow the applicable Canadian Electrical Code, provincial requirements, manufacturer instructions, and inspection requirements. Connections inside live or energized circuits should be made by a Licensed Electrical Contractor. Where and how connectors may be used is determined by code and your authority having jurisdiction (in Ontario, the ESA; in Quebec, the RBQ).
Twist-on vs lever — pros and cons?
Twist-on (marrettes): lowest cost, compact, and familiar to every Canadian electrician — but they rely on a proper twist, can be fiddly with mixed gauges, and aren't meant for repeated re-opening. Lever-nuts: fast, tool-free, easy to verify visually, and re-openable for changes — they handle mixed solid/stranded and varied gauges well, at a higher per-connector cost and a slightly larger footprint. Choose by the splice, the gauges involved, and whether you expect to re-work the connection.
What connector should I use for outdoor/wet or high-temperature?
Standard dry-location connectors are not suitable for wet or damp locations. For outdoor, underground, or wet/damp areas, use a connector listed for wet locations — commonly a sealed or silicone/grease-filled connector that resists moisture and corrosion. For high-temperature splices (such as some fixture connections), use a connector rated for the temperature involved. In all cases, confirm the rating and application with a licensed electrician and the product listing before you buy.
Connector type comparison
| Connector type | Best use | Wire range / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Twist-on (marrettes / wire nuts) | General dry-location splices; the traditional standard | Colour-coded; use within the listed gauge range and conductor count |
| Lever-nuts | Mixed gauges, solid + stranded, connections you may re-open | Per-port levers; each port listed for a wire-size range |
| Push-in | Fast, compact dry-location joins of like conductors | Fixed ports; tighter on accepted wire types; less re-workable |
| Sealed / filled (wet-location) | Outdoor, underground, wet or damp locations | Moisture/corrosion resistant; must be listed for wet locations |
Common wire-connector mistakes
- Using a connector outside its listed wire-size range or exceeding its conductor count.
- Putting a dry-location connector in a wet or outdoor box.
- Mixing too many gauges in a connector not listed for it.
- Choosing an uncertified connector instead of a CSA-certified one.
- Reusing a twist-on cap that's meant for a single application, or under-twisting the splice.
Related products
Wire & Cables (Ideal, Techspan, Klein connectors)
When to call a licensed electrician
For making connections inside energized circuits, confirming code requirements, and verifying that a connector is listed for your application — always use a Licensed Electrical Contractor (in Ontario, ESA; in Quebec, RBQ) working to the Canadian Electrical Code.
Frequently asked questions
What is a marrette?
"Marrette" is the common Canadian name for a twist-on wire connector — the threaded, colour-coded insulated cap you twist over stripped conductors to join them. It's the traditional standard for splices in junction boxes and fixtures. Like every connector, a marrette is listed for a specific range of wire sizes and a maximum number of conductors, and it must be used within that range.
Are lever-nut connectors allowed in Canada?
Yes, as long as the lever connector is CSA-certified (or carries another mark your authority having jurisdiction accepts) and is used within its listed wire-size and conductor-count range. Acceptance comes from the certification and correct application, not the connector style. Lever-nuts are popular because they handle mixed gauges and solid-plus-stranded conductors and can be re-opened.
How do I know how many wires a connector can hold?
Each connector is listed for a specific wire-size range and a minimum and maximum number of conductors, printed on the packaging or the manufacturer's listing. Stay inside that range and never exceed the conductor count — a connector that's too large won't grip a small wire, and one that's too small won't close over the bundle. Send Maple the gauges and number of conductors you're joining and we'll help you match the right product.
Which connector should I use outdoors or in a wet location?
Standard dry-location connectors aren't suitable for wet or damp areas. For outdoor, underground, or wet/damp locations, use a connector listed for wet locations — commonly a sealed or filled (silicone/grease) connector that resists moisture and corrosion. Confirm the wet-location rating on the product listing and with your electrician before you buy.
Can I make the connection myself?
Maple is a supply house, not an electrical contractor, so we don't give wiring instructions. Making connections inside a live or energized circuit is electrical work that should be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor — in Ontario that also means ESA involvement, and in Quebec the RBQ. We help you choose and source the right CSA-certified connector; your electrician installs it.
Sources and further reading
- CSA Group product listing: csagroup.org/testing-certification/product-listing
- Manufacturer (Ideal, Techspan, Klein) connector specifications and listings
- Electrical Safety Authority (Ontario): esasafe.com
Not sure which connector your splice needs? Send Maple the wire gauges and conductor count and we'll match CSA-certified twist-on, lever, or push-in options from Ideal, Techspan, and Klein. Ask Maple
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