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Wago vs choc block: which connector should you use?

Updated: 17 October 2026

You open a ceiling rose and find a small screw terminal strip holding several conductors. Should it stay, or is a lever connector the clearer replacement? The useful answer to Wago vs choc block is conditional: a correctly sized screw terminal can remain in a suitable accessible enclosure, while a genuine lever connector is often easier for one-conductor-per-port work and for the conductor types within its published range. Neither can sit loose in a void. See the products and ratings on our [Wago connectors comparison](/hub/tool-accessories/wago-connectors), then use this guide to decide whether the connection method, access and enclosure fit the job. A qualifying purchase can earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

You open a ceiling rose and find a small screw terminal strip holding several conductors. Should it stay, or is a lever connector the clearer replacement?

Our top picks

Wago Wago 221-413, pack of 50

Best overall

Wago Wago 221-413, pack of 50
9.2/10about £12.59
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Wago Wago 221 assortment, 25

Rank 2

Wago Wago 221 assortment, 25
8.8/10about £10.38
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Wago Wago 221-413, pack of 10

Best value

Wago Wago 221-413, pack of 10
8.2/10about £5.35
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On this page
  1. 1.What a choc block still is
  2. 2.Where a lever connector gives a clearer joint
  3. 3.Where a screw terminal can stay
  4. 4.The recommendation, with its condition

What a choc block still is

A choc block is the familiar row of screw terminals cut to the required number of ways. Each conductor is inserted into a metal terminal and secured by a screw. These strips remain common because they are inexpensive, available in different ratings and compact in a straight line. They are not automatically illegal or obsolete in UK installations. Tiny screws are awkward in a crowded ceiling rose, which is a practical observation, not a regulation banning screws. Access is the key limitation. Screw connections may need inspection or maintenance, so they should remain reachable without damaging the building fabric. If the joint will disappear beneath a fixed floor or behind a finished ceiling, you need the rules for a specifically approved maintenance-free accessory rather than simply choosing a different loose terminal.

Where a lever connector gives a clearer joint

A genuine Wago 221 provides a separate lever and port for each conductor. You strip to the stated length, fully raise the lever, insert one copper conductor, close the lever and tug-check the result. The clear body on relevant models also helps you see whether the conductor has reached the stop. In a tight fitting, this is often quicker and easier to inspect than balancing a screwdriver over several small screws. The compact 221-412, 221-413 and 221-415 models provide two, three and five ports, and the published family range is 0.14–4 mm² for fine-stranded copper and 0.2–4 mm² for solid copper. Do not force the lid against the levers or sharply fold conductors just to make the newer connector fit. The Wago connectors buying guide explains port count, inline shapes and conductor windows before you buy.
Wago Wago 221-413, pack of 50

Testsieger

Wago Wago 221-413, pack of 50
9.2/10about £12.59
View offer

Where a screw terminal can stay

Keep a screw terminal when it is correctly rated, undamaged, properly terminated and housed where it remains accessible. Signs of overheating, cracked insulation, corroded metal or a damaged thread are reasons to stop and assess the whole connection rather than tighten harder. Accessibility does not mean leaving the strip loose inside a ceiling cup.

The recommendation, with its condition

Choose a genuine lever connector when each conductor can have its own port, the conductor type and size are within the published limits, and the connector fits comfortably inside a suitable enclosure. It is the clearer choice for many cramped ceiling-rose jobs and for joining listed flexible and solid copper conductors. Use the correct two-, three- or five-port model rather than doubling wires in one opening. Keep a screw terminal when it is correctly rated, prepared and still accessible. Do not put solder-tinned stranded ends beneath its screws. For an inaccessible joint, neither lever nor screw alone answers the question. Follow the instructions for a specifically marked maintenance-free accessory. Wagobox 221-4 instructions name particular 221-412, 221-413 and 221-415 connectors and impose assembly conditions. A compatible lever copy is not automatically an allowed substitute, and a loose genuine connector is not the whole accessory. The Wago connector junction box guide explains that enclosure distinction. If permanent lives, switched lives and neutrals cannot be positively identified, changing terminal technology will not solve the uncertainty.

Common questions

Are choc blocks illegal in the UK?
No. A suitable screw terminal can be used where it is correctly rated, properly installed in an appropriate enclosure and remains accessible for inspection and maintenance. It cannot simply be treated as a maintenance-free connection and hidden. Product suitability and the finished installation matter more than the nickname choc block.
Why do electricians often prefer lever connectors in ceiling roses?
Each conductor gets its own port, the lever does not require tightening with a screwdriver and a clear housing can make insertion easier to inspect. Those features help in cramped spaces. However, the connector must match the conductor range and fit inside the enclosure without strained bends or pressure on the levers.
Can I leave a sound screw strip in place?
Yes, if it is suitable for the circuit and conductors, correctly terminated, undamaged, enclosed and accessible. Inspect for loose screws, heat damage, poor strand capture and insulation beneath the clamp. If you cannot assess those points safely, use a competent electrician rather than replacing parts by appearance.
Should I tin flexible wire before putting it under a screw?
No. IET guidance warns that solder can cold-flow under screw pressure, allowing the joint to loosen. Use a terminal and preparation method intended for the conductor, which may include a suitable ferrule where the manufacturer permits it. Do not add solder as an improvised way to hold strands together.
Can I put Wagos in an old choc box and call it maintenance-free?
No. An arbitrary enclosure plus a lever connector does not gain a maintenance-free rating. The claim applies to a complete marked accessory using the exact connectors, cable restraints, lid security and other conditions stated by its manufacturer. If those instructions do not name the combination, keep the joint accessible.
Which is better for stranded pendant flex?
A genuine 221 can be convenient because its published range includes specified fine-stranded copper and each conductor has a separate port. The exact flex and connector still need to match the data. A suitable screw terminal can also terminate flex when prepared according to its instructions, but do not clamp a solder-tinned end.

Related pages

How to use Wago connectors

Wago connectors

Best Wago 221 connectors: the top pick and best value

Wago connectors buying guide: choosing the right 221

Wago connector junction box: accessible or maintenance-free?

Sources

Public UK sources for conductor range, connection access, and notifiable work in England. Listings are the amazon.co.uk captures for these twelve ASINs, not a live reload on 16 October 2026. Prices on amazon.co.uk move.

  1. Wago GB, 221 splicing connectors (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  2. Wago 221-413 (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  3. Electrical Safety First, wiring regulations help (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  4. IET Wiring Matters, accessibility of connections (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  5. Building Regulations 2010, regulation 12 (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  6. Approved Document P (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  7. GOV.UK, building work, replacements and repairs (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  8. Hager Ashley, junction box guide (retrieved 16 October 2026)