Pigtails on standard receptacles

[glene77is]

A GOOD idea to pigtail them.

I am in the habit of pigtailing with stranded,
so the stiff #12 will fold back into the box
when there are extra conductors passing through.

Else I pay $1.50 extra for some push-in (clamped) Recepticals so the stiff #12 will not loosen.
I figure the extra money comes back by faster and more secure connection.

For a long time, I did try using a slotted screwdriver (like in the 60's), to get more torque, with less push, but have twisted the screws too far and stripped them, and even broke a few plastic cases. I like the Robertson Square screws used now, seems like a good compromise, and better than the Phillips Cross point.

 

[glene77is]

E57,

"
And IMO there would only be one type of screw terminal I would take wiring to as a circuit path
- the compression type -
not the wire wrap type.
"

Very clear statement!

 

[Smart $]

E57,

"
And IMO there would only be one type of screw terminal I would take wiring to as a circuit path
- the compression type -
not the wire wrap type.
"

Very clear statement!

Speaking of "clear" statements... the following is an excerpt from the 2008 UL Whitebook...

RECEPTACLES FOR PLUGS AND
ATTACHMENT PLUGS (RTRT)
....
TERMINALS
....
Terminals of the wire-binding screw, setscrew, or screw-actuated back
wired clamping types are suitable for use with both solid and stranded
building wires.
Screwless terminal connectors of the conductor push-in type (also known
as ??push-in-terminals??) are restricted to 15 A branch circuits and are for
connection with 14 AWG solid copper wire only. They are not intended for
use with aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wire, 14 AWG stranded copper
wire, or 12 AWG solid or stranded copper wire.
Single and duplex receptacles rated 15 and 20 A that are provided with
more than one set of terminals for the connection of line and neutral conductors
have been investigated to feed branch-circuit conductors connected
to other outlets on a multi-outlet branch circuit, as follows:

• Back wire (screw actuated clamp type) terminations with multiple wire
  access holes used concurrently to terminate more than one conductor
• Side wire (binding screw) terminals used concurrently with their
  respective push-in (screwless) terminations to terminate more than one
  conductor

Single and duplex receptacles rated 15 and 20 A that are provided with
more than one set of terminals for the connection of line and neutral conductors
have not been investigated to feed branch-circuit conductors connected
to other outlets on a multi-outlet branch circuit, as follows:

• Side wire (binding screw) terminal with its associated back wire (screw
  actuated clamp type) terminal
• Multiple conductors under a single binding screw
• Multiple conductors in a single back wire hole

Duplex receptacles rated 15 and 20 A that are provided with break off tabs
may have those tabs removed so that the two receptacles may be wired in a
multi-wire branch circuit
HORSEPOWER RATINGS
....

As for personal preference, my choice is "Back wire (screw actuated clamp type) terminations with multiple wire access holes used concurrently to terminate more than one conductor" under the premise fewer connections equate with higher reliability


.