Steve Barker LT wrote:
It is imperative the wires be twisted before the wire nut is applied.


SB:

Not necessarily.

Read the instructions on the box -- I don't know of any decent,
UL-listed
and currently available brands which say pretwisting is necessary.
Actually, when wire connectors are used properly, the wires will twist
together internally, even if not pretwisted. (Follow the directions
that
come with the connectors or call the mfr. for details.)

While I do pretwist, especially
when connecting 4 or more wires, it's better not to pretwist than to
pretwist wrong. It's easy to end up with 1 wire almost straight and
several others wrapped barber-pole style around it. This is not proper
pretwisting.

Cordially yours:
G P