I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

In article , thebigguy wrote:
I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

The screw terminals, definitely. The "holes on the back" are notorious for
loosening up over time and causing all manner of problems.

Do a Google Groups search on this newsgroup for back-stab outlets and you'll
see what I mean.

Doug Miller wrote:
In article , thebigguy wrote:
I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

The screw terminals, definitely. The "holes on the back" are notorious for
loosening up over time and causing all manner of problems.

Do a Google Groups search on this newsgroup for back-stab outlets and you'll
see what I mean.

What he said. A little extra time on installation saves a lot of
problems down the road. Once you do the first couple you get the touch
and forming the screw loops really is no big deal.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

thebigguy wrote:
I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

Some devices have holes in the back and the screw tightens a wire clamp
inside the hole, those types are fine. There is a lot of mistrust of the
"back-stab" wiring devices that have a spring loaded clip that holds the
stripped conductor when it is pushed into the hole. There have been a
lot of problems with them and the back-stab wiring devices that will
accommodate #12 solid wire are no longer produced. I still see those
that will take #14 solid wire in the supply houses.

TDD

The Daring Dufas wrote:
thebigguy wrote:
I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

Some devices have holes in the back and the screw tightens a wire
clamp inside the hole, those types are fine. There is a lot of
mistrust of the "back-stab" wiring devices that have a spring loaded
clip that holds the stripped conductor when it is pushed into the
hole. There have been a lot of problems with them and the back-stab
wiring devices that will accommodate #12 solid wire are no longer
produced. I still see those that will take #14 solid wire in the
supply houses.
TDD

What he said. There are "back stab" receptacles (bad), and there are
"back-wired" receptacles (good). The back-wired ones involve tightening a
screw down on the straight bare wire to secure the connection. But the
regular receptacles where you wrap the wire around the screw and tighten it
are also good. Some people think these are the best overall.

On Dec 31, 12:33*pm, Van Chocstraw
wrote:
On 12/31/2009 12:36 AM, thebigguy wrote:

I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

Fact is that screw terminal give greater surface contact with the wires
where the back stabs only grab with the edge of a thin piece of metal.
You don't see stab connectors on heave electric machinery for that
reason. The contact points would get hot. Screw terminals are a better
connection in my opinion; (if you remember to tighten them)

Agree with: "Fact is that screw terminal give greater surface contact
with the wires..............."
Including the ones where each screw tightens down a small metal plate
onto the wire inserted below it.

Recently replaced several 30+ year old duplex outlets adjacent to work
bench; making sure that replacements were good quality ones;
definitely not 'Back Stabbers' or the 'Poke wire in a hole and hope
for the best ............ ' style!

In last 40 years, touch wood, never had any duplex outlets problems
due to care and prompt replacement with good quality items.

But every Christmas, New Year period there are home fires often
attributed to an electrical problem, sometimes deaths or people burnt
out of their homes.

PS. Remember to replace batteries in non AC operated smoke detectors
etc. New Year good time to do it!

Jay-T wrote:
The Daring Dufas wrote:
thebigguy wrote:
I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?
Some devices have holes in the back and the screw tightens a wire
clamp inside the hole, those types are fine. There is a lot of
mistrust of the "back-stab" wiring devices that have a spring loaded
clip that holds the stripped conductor when it is pushed into the
hole. There have been a lot of problems with them and the back-stab
wiring devices that will accommodate #12 solid wire are no longer
produced. I still see those that will take #14 solid wire in the
supply houses.
TDD

What he said. There are "back stab" receptacles (bad), and there are
"back-wired" receptacles (good). The back-wired ones involve tightening a
screw down on the straight bare wire to secure the connection. But the
regular receptacles where you wrap the wire around the screw and tighten it
are also good. Some people think these are the best overall.



I use the commercial or hospital grade back wired devices whenever I
do a wiring job with stranded wire. I did a beauty shop like that many
years ago and there has never been a receptacle failure at the place.
I'll install a hospital grade receptacle wherever items are going to
be plugged/unplugged a lot.

TDD

terry wrote:
On Dec 31, 12:33 pm, Van Chocstraw
wrote:
On 12/31/2009 12:36 AM, thebigguy wrote:

I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?
Fact is that screw terminal give greater surface contact with the wires
where the back stabs only grab with the edge of a thin piece of metal.
You don't see stab connectors on heave electric machinery for that
reason. The contact points would get hot. Screw terminals are a better
connection in my opinion; (if you remember to tighten them)

Agree with: "Fact is that screw terminal give greater surface contact
with the wires..............."
Including the ones where each screw tightens down a small metal plate
onto the wire inserted below it.

Recently replaced several 30+ year old duplex outlets adjacent to work
bench; making sure that replacements were good quality ones;
definitely not 'Back Stabbers' or the 'Poke wire in a hole and hope
for the best ............ ' style!

In last 40 years, touch wood, never had any duplex outlets problems
due to care and prompt replacement with good quality items.

But every Christmas, New Year period there are home fires often
attributed to an electrical problem, sometimes deaths or people burnt
out of their homes.

PS. Remember to replace batteries in non AC operated smoke detectors
etc. New Year good time to do it!

Before or after the new years party full of drunk smokers?

TDD

thebigguy wrote in news:bceb0b35-6ec2-486a-92a3-
:

I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

What everybody else said - screws. Only reason I voted was to remind you to
put the loop clockwise around the screw. End enters on left side and wraps
around.

Red Green wrote:
thebigguy wrote in news:bceb0b35-6ec2-486a-92a3-
:

I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

What everybody else said - screws. Only reason I voted was to remind you to
put the loop clockwise around the screw. End enters on left side and wraps
around.

Oh yeah, good point. And I was just explaining this to someone the
other day and didn't even think to mention it when it came up here.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Nate Nagel wrote:
Red Green wrote:
thebigguy wrote in news:bceb0b35-6ec2-486a-92a3-
:

I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

What everybody else said - screws. Only reason I voted was to remind
you to put the loop clockwise around the screw. End enters on left
side and wraps around.

Oh yeah, good point. And I was just explaining this to someone the
other day and didn't even think to mention it when it came up here.

nate


It's funny how the things you do instinctively with your innate
common sense, are the exact things many others get wrong. You
wind up thinking, "I actually had to explain that?" *snicker*

TDD

On Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:36:44 -0800 (PST), thebigguy
wrote:

I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

It is often stated that it is better to use the screw terminals,
wrapping the wire 3/4 clockwise around the screw. I use electrical
pliers to form a "J" and a regular screw driver to tighten it down.
The backstabs are often used by electricians to reduce installation
time.

Phisherman wrote:
On Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:36:44 -0800 (PST), thebigguy
wrote:

I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

It is often stated that it is better to use the screw terminals,
wrapping the wire 3/4 clockwise around the screw. I use electrical
pliers to form a "J" and a regular screw driver to tighten it down.
The backstabs are often used by electricians to reduce installation
time.

Can't prove it, but you don't see too many posts about people with a hot
recep or dead downstream recep that trace it to a loose screw
connection. I can't say the same for backstabs...

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Phisherman wrote:
On Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:36:44 -0800 (PST), thebigguy
wrote:

I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

It is often stated that it is better to use the screw terminals,
wrapping the wire 3/4 clockwise around the screw. I use electrical
pliers to form a "J" and a regular screw driver to tighten it down.
The backstabs are often used by electricians to reduce installation
time.

I also use my long needle-nose pliers to close up the J into a tight
loop before I snug up the screw. I don't install many outlets, so the
extra few seconds per outlet is cheap insurance. I HATE having the old
stiff wires walk off the screw as I am Z-folding everything back into
the box. Be careful on how much insulation you strip off- it sucks when
a hot lead shorts to the box. You should barely be able to see the bare
copper under the screw, if you did it right.

--
aem sends...

On Jan 3, 6:56*pm, aemeijers wrote:
Phisherman wrote:
On Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:36:44 -0800 (PST), thebigguy
wrote:

I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?

It is often stated that it is better to use the screw terminals,
wrapping the wire 3/4 clockwise around the screw. *I use electrical
pliers to form a "J" and a regular screw driver to tighten it down.
The backstabs are often used by electricians to reduce installation
time.

I also use my long needle-nose pliers to close up the J into a tight
loop before I snug up the screw. I don't install many outlets, so the
extra few seconds per outlet is cheap insurance. I HATE having the old
stiff wires walk off the screw as I am Z-folding everything back into
the box. Be careful on how much insulation you strip off- it sucks when
a hot lead shorts to the box. You should barely be able to see the bare
copper under the screw, if you did it right.

--
aem sends...

I get the sockets that are made to take a straight wire and the screw
tightens down on it. I this this type because the outlet is good
quality and the wires make good connections and are still easy to put
on. The only ones I could find like this are commercial grade. I think
these are best for replacing existing back-stab outlets Also several
years ago my wife took up the hobby of jewelery making. Mostly what
she did was stringing beads and bending and twisting wire. I tried her
wire bending pliers and discovered they are excellent for bending the
wire into a loop to place on the screw. Her's were a little on the
light weight side but I was able to find some more suitable.

Jimmie

JIMMIE wrote:
On Jan 3, 6:56 pm, aemeijers wrote:
Phisherman wrote:
On Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:36:44 -0800 (PST), thebigguy
wrote:
I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?
It is often stated that it is better to use the screw terminals,
wrapping the wire 3/4 clockwise around the screw. I use electrical
pliers to form a "J" and a regular screw driver to tighten it down.
The backstabs are often used by electricians to reduce installation
time.
I also use my long needle-nose pliers to close up the J into a tight
loop before I snug up the screw. I don't install many outlets, so the
extra few seconds per outlet is cheap insurance. I HATE having the old
stiff wires walk off the screw as I am Z-folding everything back into
the box. Be careful on how much insulation you strip off- it sucks when
a hot lead shorts to the box. You should barely be able to see the bare
copper under the screw, if you did it right.

--
aem sends...

I get the sockets that are made to take a straight wire and the screw
tightens down on it. I this this type because the outlet is good
quality and the wires make good connections and are still easy to put
on. The only ones I could find like this are commercial grade. I think
these are best for replacing existing back-stab outlets Also several
years ago my wife took up the hobby of jewelery making. Mostly what
she did was stringing beads and bending and twisting wire. I tried her
wire bending pliers and discovered they are excellent for bending the
wire into a loop to place on the screw. Her's were a little on the
light weight side but I was able to find some more suitable.

Jimmie

Most wire strippers meant for the electrical trades have holes in outer
part of the blades meant for making a loop in solid wires. I use this
model made by Kline. Look at the holes in the outer of the blade. You
insert the wire and bend it into a J hook.

http://tinyurl.com/yfwlmbk

TDD

The Daring Dufas wrote:
JIMMIE wrote:
On Jan 3, 6:56 pm, aemeijers wrote:
Phisherman wrote:
On Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:36:44 -0800 (PST), thebigguy
wrote:
I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?
It is often stated that it is better to use the screw terminals,
wrapping the wire 3/4 clockwise around the screw. I use electrical
pliers to form a "J" and a regular screw driver to tighten it down.
The backstabs are often used by electricians to reduce installation
time.
I also use my long needle-nose pliers to close up the J into a tight
loop before I snug up the screw. I don't install many outlets, so the
extra few seconds per outlet is cheap insurance. I HATE having the old
stiff wires walk off the screw as I am Z-folding everything back into
the box. Be careful on how much insulation you strip off- it sucks when
a hot lead shorts to the box. You should barely be able to see the bare
copper under the screw, if you did it right.

--
aem sends...

I get the sockets that are made to take a straight wire and the screw
tightens down on it. I this this type because the outlet is good
quality and the wires make good connections and are still easy to put
on. The only ones I could find like this are commercial grade. I think
these are best for replacing existing back-stab outlets Also several
years ago my wife took up the hobby of jewelery making. Mostly what
she did was stringing beads and bending and twisting wire. I tried her
wire bending pliers and discovered they are excellent for bending the
wire into a loop to place on the screw. Her's were a little on the
light weight side but I was able to find some more suitable.

Jimmie

Most wire strippers meant for the electrical trades have holes in outer
part of the blades meant for making a loop in solid wires. I use this
model made by Kline. Look at the holes in the outer of the blade. You
insert the wire and bend it into a J hook.

http://tinyurl.com/yfwlmbk

TDD

Yeah, I have Kleins, and use that hole. But once the J-hook is around
the screw, I still use the needle-nose to close the J to where the wild
end touches or almost touches the stem, before I snug up the screw.
Maximizes wire-screw contact area, and makes it close to impossible to
accidently pull the wire off the screw. Some of the outlets I was
replacing on this place, the wire was barely under the screw. Just
working on my own stuff, I can take the time to be fussy and
double-check everything.

--
aem sends...

aemeijers wrote:
The Daring Dufas wrote:
JIMMIE wrote:
On Jan 3, 6:56 pm, aemeijers wrote:
Phisherman wrote:
On Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:36:44 -0800 (PST), thebigguy
wrote:
I have a small wiring job to complete and was wondering if it is
better to use the screw terminals or the holes on the back to wire
outlets and such?
It is often stated that it is better to use the screw terminals,
wrapping the wire 3/4 clockwise around the screw. I use electrical
pliers to form a "J" and a regular screw driver to tighten it down.
The backstabs are often used by electricians to reduce installation
time.
I also use my long needle-nose pliers to close up the J into a tight
loop before I snug up the screw. I don't install many outlets, so the
extra few seconds per outlet is cheap insurance. I HATE having the old
stiff wires walk off the screw as I am Z-folding everything back into
the box. Be careful on how much insulation you strip off- it sucks when
a hot lead shorts to the box. You should barely be able to see the bare
copper under the screw, if you did it right.

--
aem sends...

I get the sockets that are made to take a straight wire and the screw
tightens down on it. I this this type because the outlet is good
quality and the wires make good connections and are still easy to put
on. The only ones I could find like this are commercial grade. I think
these are best for replacing existing back-stab outlets Also several
years ago my wife took up the hobby of jewelery making. Mostly what
she did was stringing beads and bending and twisting wire. I tried her
wire bending pliers and discovered they are excellent for bending the
wire into a loop to place on the screw. Her's were a little on the
light weight side but I was able to find some more suitable.

Jimmie

Most wire strippers meant for the electrical trades have holes in outer
part of the blades meant for making a loop in solid wires. I use this
model made by Kline. Look at the holes in the outer of the blade. You
insert the wire and bend it into a J hook.

http://tinyurl.com/yfwlmbk

TDD

Yeah, I have Kleins, and use that hole. But once the J-hook is around
the screw, I still use the needle-nose to close the J to where the wild
end touches or almost touches the stem, before I snug up the screw.
Maximizes wire-screw contact area, and makes it close to impossible to
accidently pull the wire off the screw. Some of the outlets I was
replacing on this place, the wire was barely under the screw. Just
working on my own stuff, I can take the time to be fussy and
double-check everything.

--
aem sends...

Most people have no idea what those holes are for. I like that
particular Klien tool because it has the plier nose that can
be use to pinch the J bend closed around the screw. It's a good
tool for repairing plastic and rubber insulated extensions cords
because of the sharp cable cutter.

TDD