On Tue, 4 Dec 2012 07:47:35 -0500, ".-." wrote:


"nestork" wrote in message
...

Meanie;2970774 Wrote:
"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...-
Screw the wires on, not back stab them.
-
Interesting, they were back stabbed in. I'll buy anew and use the
screws.

I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that's where the problem was right
there.

I wouldn't even bother buying a new receptacle. I'd put the wires on
the screw terminals, and that should fix the problem. Those back stab
terminals have been nothing but problems since they came out with the
stupid things.
Use the screw terminals instead, even thought they take a few minutes,
and avoid hours of frustration trying to locate the wiring problems
associated with back stabbed connections.

nestork

There's too much variability in the quality of back-stab outlets in my view.
I've had problems with them too. But, I do like the type that takes the
straight wire and then clamps it tight via a screw. Bending the wire and
getting it just right around the screw is what takes the time.

Agreed. I use the outlets and switches that clamp onto the wire.
Backstabs should be banned (they're only 14ga anyway) and twisting the
wire around the screw takes too much time and effort. The back clamps
are a great compromise. The outlets that don't have the clamps seem
to be the $.69 specials.