On Nov 8, 8:40 am, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
The old "back stab" outlets aren't used any more. They used to have some
metal teeth that grabbed the wire. Now days, you slip the wire in, and
tighten the screw on the side.

It's also fine to loop the wire around the screw, and tighten that way.

I've never seen a Romex wire gauge (tool for measuring). I mostly just read
the packaging to determine the gage (size) of the wire. Where did you find a
Romex gauge?

The outlet did come with instructions, right?

--

I'm Christopher A. Young;
and, I approved this message.
.

"Mamba" wrote in message

...
I added a new outlet in my basement this past weekend. I ganged it off an
existing 15 amp circuit and put the outlet below the light switch. I wired
it with 14/2 Romex.

I had intended to use a 15 amp GFI outlet, since I may be using long
extension cords from this outlet for possible outdoor uses. When I stripped
the final 1/2" or so off the Hot and Neutral, I found that the wire appeared
to be too "skinny" to connect into the holes in the GFI outlet. In other
words, the wire bottomed out in the hole but didn't "catch". I realize I
could have used the screw attachments, but decided against it, thinking
there might be an incompatibility somehwere.

I pulled out a standard outlet and the wires fit as expected. Still
wouldn't mind using the GFI if I can figure out why it didn't work right.
Can somebody set me straight?

Tnx
Gary

"Where did you find a Romex gauge?"

Where did he say he found a Romex gauge?