"Back Wired" Switch Question
 

Hello:

Curious about the term, and usage of, "back wiring" as it applies to simple
residential wall switches:

The kind of switches I've used in my house over the years that had a "back
wired" provision
were that they were simply provided with holes for the stripped wires that,
once pushed into, were held
by spring loaded grippers internally.

But I see that the term is also apparently used for the metal plate that
some switches now come with
which is under the normal wire holding screws. This plate has a simple
groove in it that apparently you
push the stripped wire into. The screw, when tightened, applies pressure to
this thin
plate and thus holds the stripped wire in place via the plate's groove.
Guess you could call it a pressure-plate.

a. Really want to be sure that I am using it right: is this a correct
description of how it is supposed to be used ?

b. Also, which is best: the holes in the back, this pressure plate
approach, or the screws themselves.

Thanks,
Bob

Robert11 wrote:
Hello:

Curious about the term, and usage of, "back wiring" as it applies to
simple residential wall switches:

The kind of switches I've used in my house over the years that had a
"back wired" provision
were that they were simply provided with holes for the stripped wires
that, once pushed into, were held
by spring loaded grippers internally.

But I see that the term is also apparently used for the metal plate
that some switches now come with
which is under the normal wire holding screws. This plate has a
simple groove in it that apparently you
push the stripped wire into. The screw, when tightened, applies
pressure to this thin
plate and thus holds the stripped wire in place via the plate's
groove. Guess you could call it a pressure-plate.

a. Really want to be sure that I am using it right: is this a correct
description of how it is supposed to be used ?

b. Also, which is best: the holes in the back, this pressure plate
approach, or the screws themselves.

Either method with the screw is fine. Just don't rely on the spring
tension push in jobs.


Thanks,
Bob

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia's Muire duit

b. Also, which is best: the holes in the back, this pressure plate
approach, or the screws themselves.

Screws are best; sometimes they are difficult for one reason or another and
then the pressure plate is adequate.
The holes in the back are terrible and should never be used. In fact,
switches with holes in the back are terrible and should never be used.

Robert11 wrote:
Hello:

Curious about the term, and usage of, "back wiring" as it applies to
simple residential wall switches:

The kind of switches I've used in my house over the years that had a
"back wired" provision were that they were simply provided with holes
for the stripped wires that, once pushed into, were held by spring
loaded grippers internally.

But I see that the term is also apparently used for the metal plate
that some switches now come with which is under the normal wire
holding screws. This plate has a simple groove in it that apparently
you push the stripped wire into. The screw, when tightened, applies
pressure to this thin plate and thus holds the stripped wire in place
via the plate's groove. Guess you could call it a pressure-plate.

a. Really want to be sure that I am using it right: is this a
correct description of how it is supposed to be used ?

b. Also, which is best: the holes in the back, this pressure plate
approach, or the screws themselves.

Thanks, Bob




IMHO, the back-wired screw-clamp terminals are best, and a 3/4 wrap
clockwise around the screws is a close second. The spring-loaded
back-things aren't much good, but at least they've gotten better now
that they will only accept a #14 wire.

Best regards,
Bob