Don Pearce wrote:

On Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:56:00 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
Michael A. Terrell wrote:
How are sockets connected on a radial circuit? Separate terminals for in
and out?


Yes. How else would they do it, if you can't use two wires under one
screw?

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/b9/b947022d-7720-42fd-97e2-af3be83c2250_400.jpg

Looks like the sort of thing you'd see in the UK from before WW2. From the
cheapest of makers.


The green screw on the lower left is for the 'Ground' connection. The
silver colored screws on the left side are 'Neutral', and the brass
colored screws on the right side are 'Line'.

I wouldn't have believed that sort of screw connection was still in use.
It's a dreadful way of making a connection. Unless you first crimp on a
suitable terminal.

Jesus, those terminals are a fire waiting to happen. They don't grip
wires - all that happens when you tighten them is that the wire gets
spewed out the sides. If you are lucky a tiny bit of it may still be
under the screw head.


Sigh. Such arrogant ignorance. You've never seen one, or used on,
but all you can do is find fault with them. There are millions of homes
and businesses using them 24/7 and you rarely have a problem unless
someone smashes one, or uses a damaged plug in one. The earlier type
had a shroud where the wire couldn't 'spew'. the screw had a grove
under the head to lull the wire tighter as it compressed the wire and
held a lot tighter than any crimp terminal.

The newer style has a groove with serration that goes through a hole
and is clamped between the screw head and the terminal. You strip 1/2"
insulation, shove it in till it bottoms out and tighten the screw. They
will not come loose, unless a total fool installs it.


--
You can't have a sense of humor, if you have no sense.