Professional Guide

Best Wago Connectors for Lighting: 2025 Expert Review

Oli at OR Electrics

18th Edition Electrician & Owner

Published 17 December 2025

If you're still using old-fashioned 'choc block' screw terminals for your lighting, it is time for an upgrade. In my experience across Leeds, the number one cause of flickering lights or burnt-out connections often traces back to a loose screw terminal. They loosen over time due to thermal cycling, creating a fire risk.

Enter the Wago connector. These maintenance-free connectors have revolutionised how we wire homes. They rely on spring pressure rather than a screw, meaning the connection stays tight permanently. For smart home lighting, where you're often cramming modules into tight back boxes, they are absolutely essential.

In this review, I'm looking at three specific types of Wago connectors I carry in my van every day: the versatile 221 lever series, the specialist 224 lighting connector, and the clever inline splice for extending short cables.

Live in Leeds?

Need help with your lighting circuits?

Get a reliable quote from OR Electrics.

Specs vs. The Real World

The Spec: "Current Rating"

The Theory

"The Wago 221 is rated up to 32A, which sounds huge for a lighting circuit."

The Reality

Whilst the connector can handle 32A, your lighting circuit is likely protected by a 6A breaker. The high rating just means the connector is robust and won't be the weak point in the circuit.

The Spec: "Tool-Free Installation"

The Theory

"Marketing says you don't need tools to install these connectors."

The Reality

You don't need a screwdriver for the terminal itself, but you absolutely need good quality wire strippers. If you strip the wire too short (under 11mm) or nick the copper core, the connection can still fail. Preparation is everything.

My Top 3 Recommendations

Three options to cover different needs and budgets

10x WAGO 221-413 ELECTRICAL WIRE BLOCK CONNECTOR STRIP

Budget Pick

WAGO

The Wago 221-413 is the bread and butter of modern electrical work. This 3-way lever connector is perfect for looping circuits at a ceiling rose or downlight, allowing you to connect the live in, live out, and switch wire securely.

Price£4.49 (at time of writing)

Type3-Conductor Lever

CompatibilitySolid, Stranded, Flexible (0.14 - 4mm²)

VoltageUp to 450V

The Good

Transparent housing allows visual confirmation of the wire position
Lever design works with all wire types (solid and flexible)
Compact size fits easily into junction boxes

The Bad

Slightly bulkier than the old push-wire 773 series (but much easier to use)
Requires 11mm strip length which must be precise

Installer Tip:

When fitting downlights in older Leeds terraces with loop-in wiring, use these 3-port wago connectors. They handle the 'Loop In', 'Loop Out' and 'Switch Line' perfectly. Always verify the copper is visible in the window but no bare copper is exposed outside the connector.

Priced at £4.49 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Wago 224-112 2-Conductor Lighting Terminals

Quality Option

WAGO

This is a specialist connector designed specifically for the transition between your home's solid wiring and a light fitting's delicate flexible wire. One side pushes in (for the solid ceiling wire), and the other side squeezes open to accept the flex from your chandelier or pendant.

Price£23.95 (at time of writing)

Quantity100 pieces

DesignSolid to Flex transition

RatingQualified personnel use suggested

The Good

Ideally suited for connecting ceiling roses to flexible pendant cables
Prevents damage to fine stranded wires often found on light fittings
Very secure connection that won't vibrate loose

The Bad

Not reusable on the solid-core side (push-fit only)
More expensive per unit than standard blocks
Bulk purchase (box of 100) might be excessive for DIY, but great for pros

Installer Tip:

I see a lot of DIY errors where people try to jam flexible 'flex' wire into push-fit connectors. It doesn't work. These 224 series connectors solve that problem. Use the push side for the grey twin & earth coming from the ceiling, and the squeeze side for the light fitting's flex.

Priced at £23.95 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

WAGO 221-2411 Terminal 2 Conductor 4 mm² Through Clamp Connector

Problem-Solving

WAGO

This inline connector is a lifesaver when cables have been cut too short—a common issue in older Victorian renovations. Unlike a standard block that requires bending wires into a U-shape, this allows you to splice two wires in a straight line, keeping the profile slim.

Price£5.90 (at time of writing)

TypeInline Splicing Connector

Lever TypeYes (both sides)

ApplicationExtending short wires

The Good

Slim profile passes easily through conduit or tight spaces
Perfect for extending cables without a bulky junction box
Transparent housing for inspection

The Bad

More expensive per connector than the standard 221 series
Only connects 2 wires (1 in, 1 out)

Installer Tip:

If you are installing smart lighting modules behind a switch and find the existing neutral wire is too short to reach the module, use one of these to extend it safely. It takes up far less space in the back box than a standard 221 connector.

Priced at £5.90 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Wago connectors compliant with BS 7671 standards?

Yes, absolutely. Wago connectors are classed as 'maintenance-free' connectors if used in an appropriate enclosure (like a Wago Box). This means they can be used in inaccessible areas, such as under floorboards or in ceiling voids, which is a massive advantage over screw terminals that must remain accessible for inspection.

Can I reuse Wago connectors?

The 221 lever series (Products 1 and 3 in this list) are fully reusable. You simply lift the lever to release the wire. The 224 series (Product 2) has a reusable side for the flex, but the solid core side is generally designed as a permanent push-fit connection.

Why are my lights flickering even with Wagos?

If you have upgraded to Wagos and still have flickering, the issue likely isn't the connection (unless the wire wasn't stripped correctly). In Leeds, with the variation in voltage supply, LED flickering is often caused by incompatible dimmer switches or non-dimmable bulbs. However, always check that the wire is inserted fully into the Wago and the lever is flush.

Do I need a junction box for Wago connectors?

Yes. Basic insulation (the coloured plastic on the wire) must not be exposed outside of an enclosure. You cannot just leave Wagos floating in the ceiling void. You should place them inside a suitable enclosure, often called a 'choc box' or 'Wago box', to provide strain relief and fire protection.

Which Wago is best for downlights?

For linking downlights in a chain (daisy-chaining), the Wago 221-413 (Product 1) is ideal. It gives you three ports: one for the power coming in, one for the power going to the next light, and one for the light fitting itself.

Need Professional Smart Home Lighting?

Our team at OR Electrics specialises in Smart Home Lighting across Leeds.

Get a free quote for professional installation.

View Our Smart Home Lighting Service