Mike Dobony wrote:
On Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:09:09 -0400, metspitzer wrote:

On Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:50:16 -0700 (PDT), JIMMIE
wrote:

Who makes a backstab outlet/switch that the wire is tightened in with
a screw. After a couple of problems in my home I want to change them
all out and I prefer not to haveto restrip and bend all those
connections. One manufacturer had an industrial quality connector but
I could only find them in brown. Wife would not go for that.

Jimmie

Are they backstab now? If so, why do you want to replace them with new
ones that will be just as much a problem as you are having now? If they
are screwed in now you will have to rebend them straight. If the ends are
now straight you will not have to do that much work to strip a little more
wire and bend them. It is not that big a deal if you want the job done
right.

Mike D.
Agree that the bending and fitting to the terminals is no big deal- I
replaced the 2-hole outlets in this place (yes, the boxes were
grounded), and rewired the reversed-polarity grounded outlets. A pair of
good and large needle-nose helps a lot. However, the monkey wrench in
all this is if the guy that wired it didn't leave any slack in the wall,
and the wires are not long enough (like if the end breaks off or
something.) I had a few that were a real struggle to get around the
screws, and still manage to fold everything back into the wall.

IMHO, outlet/switch boxes need to be deeper, and code should say no stud
staples closer than a foot from the box, with at least 3 extra wire
inches between the last staple and the clamp on the box. It would add a
couple bucks to the price of the house, but make life a lot easier for
the guy 20 years later doing the upkeep. When you wire, be kind to the
next poor SOB that is going to be in there- I always TRY to, at least.

--
aem sends...