Ground Wires Only Twisted

I have seen grounds (2) twisted together about 4". There was no way they were coming apart so I left them. I have seen grounds that were minimally twisted and I corrected them. If you are replacing the receps anyway, might as well take 30 seconds and slip a barrel crimp on there.

In the early 60's they would twist ALL the grounds at the panel and land them under one lug. I never fix those unless I change the panel.

If it aint broke............
 
I was wrong

... two or more wires properly twisted together are definitely "mechanically connected", and no wire nut is necessary for keeping them that way ...

This evening I discovered I was quite wrong about that. I was doing some more wiring for my basement lights, and I made a final connection in a junction box with the power still on. There were already two set of wires twisted and nutted together there, and I was quite surprised to see a small spark at the very end of one of the twists after the nut had been removed. So from now on, I will always use either nuts or crimps even on twisted ground wires.
 
Speedy Petey preveously quoted NEC Article 250.8. Just remember the codes are a minimum. They are proven over a long period of time. REMEMBER THEY ARE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFETY
 
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