Is there a code requirement that receptacles be installed using pigtails?
Example: an outlet box with two 12-2 cables and a receptacle. Can you just
wire through the outlet (use all four screws), or must you create pigtails
for the conductors, thus using only two screws on the outlet (plus the
ground of course). I am sure that wiring thru was permitted 5 years ago and
even more recently, but things change.

Some people prefer pigtails, but they are not required.

Only required if this is a multiwire circuit, where you are sharing the neutral
across 240v making two 120v circuits. You need to pigtail the neutral so it is
not broken if you remove the receptacle.

Thanks. I thought this was the case but wanted confirmation.

"Greg" wrote in message
...
Only required if this is a multiwire circuit, where you are sharing the
neutral
across 240v making two 120v circuits. You need to pigtail the neutral so
it is
not broken if you remove the receptacle.

You usually have to pigtail the ground line, because most recepticals only
have one screw for the ground connection. Also they down want to take any
chance that the ground line will be broken to downline items.
The hot and neutral can be wired thru using the two screws on the
receptical.
"donald girod" wrote in message
...
Is there a code requirement that receptacles be installed using pigtails?
Example: an outlet box with two 12-2 cables and a receptacle. Can you
just
wire through the outlet (use all four screws), or must you create pigtails
for the conductors, thus using only two screws on the outlet (plus the
ground of course). I am sure that wiring thru was permitted 5 years ago
and
even more recently, but things change.

In Canada, you are required to pigtail hot, neutral, and ground in any
case where there is another receptacle 'downstream.' The ground wire
must be attached to the box before being pigtailed.

The rationale behind pigtails is that if any one receptacle should
fail, the remaining devices in that circuit will still function--not a
bad feature...

Mr Fixit eh

According to Steve Nekias :
In Canada, you are required to pigtail hot, neutral, and ground in any
case where there is another receptacle 'downstream.' The ground wire
must be attached to the box before being pigtailed.

Strictly speaking last CEC code revision I checked, you always pigtail
grounds, neutrals are pigtailed in multi-wire branches only, and
hots do not need to be pigtailed.

Not having ground connected when you remove a device is quite
dangerous

Not having neutral connected with you remove a device isn't
particularly dangerous but it's _extremely_ dangerous with a
multi-wire branch circuit.

Not having hot connected when you remove a device is not a safety
hazard.

Is this a recent CEC change? Or are you going by Knight?

Last time I read Knight, Knight said the above, but in addition
that _always_ pigtailing neutrals was "better", even if not
required in a specific instance.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.

Knight.

Is this a recent CEC change? Or are you going by Knight?

Mr Fixit eh