wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi -
I am in the process of replacing seveal outlets in my home. I have
made it successfully through 5, but the 6th is posing a problem. The
oulet that I am replacing had 3 white wires total - 1 inserted into the
top left back, one to the bottom left screw, and inserted directly into
the bottom left back.

With the new outlet that I am using, I am not using the rear inputs - I
am only using the screws on either side. My question is this - what do
I do with the 2 white wires that had been hooked up to the bottom left
of the old outlet? The screw on the new outlet is not long enough to
connect them both to...

Do I cut a small wire, connect the original 2 whites in addition to the
small new wire and run the small wire to the bottom left screw? Any
other options?

That would be fine. Its called a pigtail. Some people use them even when
it isn't necessary.

I would use a better quality outlet that has screw clamp for the rear holes.
It might not be as secure as the screw terminals, but as long as it is
secure enough it doesn't really matter. (sort of like arguing over which
glue is strongest, when they are all stronger than the wood)

Of course, to meet code you need longer wires. I don't know how you are
supposed to deal with that (other than to ignore it), but I am sure someone
will tell us both.