On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 15:34:19 GMT, "Joseph Meehan"
wrote:

Mark Lloyd wrote:
..
This receptacle is at the end of a line where wires pass through 3
other receptacles which use those connections where you stick a wire
in a hole in the receptacle (no screws). Maybe I need to rewire those
(using pigtails on the screws?).

We hear of lots of problems with those "back stabbed" outlets. I
suggest you start going though your whole home one outlet at a time and
remove the wire from the back stab terminal and use the screw terminals on
the side. Start with the ones you have identified with possible problems.
I would also suggest that if you find any outlets that show signs of sparks
or bad connections, replace them with top quality outlets (they will not
have the back stab terminals) that may cost a dollar or two more than the
cheap contractor grade you now have.

Yes. I'll start on that today. There's 4 outlets on that line and they
all need to be rewired (and maybe replaced). The wire is 12AWG copper,
but the outlets are old ones that do allow backstabbed connections
with it.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin