Have Backstabs Improved?

[Sammy G]

When backstab receptacles started accepting only #14, it became possible to design them for better reliability by applying more force to the #14 wire than before. Has anyone had real-world experience that says they are now reliable or that they are still unreliable or that they are still unreliable? What about long-term reliability? How long ago did this change take place? Can anyone refer me to a study of the improvement?

I enjoyed the Backstabbing Pole at http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=91799&highlight=push-in
The possibility of such an improvement was brought up by tallguy, but no one followed it up.

 

[Mule]

Ive never seen a a backstab failure in a general lighting recept, but I have seen several in more heavily loaded places...

 

[Brian Johns]

I just refuse to backstab any device and honestly, i wish they would ban these types of connections, too many times have i pulled an outlet or switch only to have a wire pop out of the stab. I go so far as to tell my home owners that all of my terminations are done with twisted wires and wire nuts, and all devices are wired to the screw. It takes time and i think it is worth it.

every time a load is applied, that little pressure joint heats up, then cools, then heats up, i believe it takes the spring out of the metal, annealing it, thus a bad connection and just more heat the next time.

 

[ultramegabob]

hey you guys that backstab devices, thanks for the service calls....

 

[LarryFine]

No, thanx.

 

[brantmacga]

i've never experienced a problem with backstabbing, and i've never seen one fail. makes installation a breeze; i like them. i was actually disappointed when they stopped making them to accept #12. that was when we switched from #12 throughout in residential to using #14 where allowed. never looked back.

 

[wawireguy]

Guess I don't think about it much.. If a customer were to tell me they want to pay for the extra labor for side wiring receps I'd be more than happy to give them what they want. But when it's bottom dollar bid the customer gets a UL, NEC approved back stabbed intstallation.

 

[mdshunk]

Good or bad, I have resolved to not use them. Their current state of reliability is of no concern to me.

 

[MF Dagger]

I was taught by my Dad to never back stab. I never have and never will. Push and pray is just not in my skill set I guess.

 

[stickboy1375]

Nothing wrong with back stabbing, I've seen in my years of experience just as many bad splices as very old back stabbed receptacles... get over it, the practice is fine in my opinion.

 

[mdshunk]

I can run to the store in an F150 also, but some people prefer to go in a Navigator. Varying levels of quality.

 

[480sparky]

Nothing wrong with back stabbing, I've seen in my years of experience just as many bad splices as very old back stabbed receptacles... get over it, the practice is fine in my opinion.

But you have more control over a splice than a backstabbed connection. With a splice you usually see your work before the wire nut goes on. With a backstab, it's poke and hope.

 

[stickboy1375]

But you have more control over a splice than a backstabbed connection. With a splice you usually see your work before the wire nut goes on. With a backstab, it's poke and hope.

I'm not going to argue this, all I can say is that Celtic agree's with me. :grin:

 

[SEO]

Backstabbed devices create a lot of service work for us. We do not backstab but a lot of contractors do.

 

[Cavie]

i've never experienced a problem with backstabbing, and i've never seen one fail. makes installation a breeze; i like them. i was actually disappointed when they stopped making them to accept #12. that was when we switched from #12 throughout in residential to using #14 where allowed. never looked back.

Don't do much service work do you. My house was built in 1989. I bought it in 2003. When replacing the outlets, 1/2 the wires pulled out of the backstabs..

 

[Minuteman]

i've never experienced a problem with backstabbing, and i've never seen one fail. makes installation a breeze; i like them. i was actually disappointed when they stopped making them to accept #12. that was when we switched from #12 throughout in residential to using #14 where allowed. never looked back.

Was on a service call last week, where an old style backstabbed neutral came loose and effected most of the living room. However, since we don't use anything smaller than #12, nobody backstabs anymore.

 

[Buck Parrish]

The problems seem to happen most when their is a load such as a electric heater or iorning board. I don't back stab. But, I like for others to. It makes for more service calls for me:wink: . I'll put my wood head in an outlet. Then go around the room and wiggle the other outlets. That is a way to find the problem.

 

[wallyworld]

What about Wagos??

 

[steelersman]

Guess I don't think about it much.. If a customer were to tell me they want to pay for the extra labor for side wiring receps I'd be more than happy to give them what they want. But when it's bottom dollar bid the customer gets a UL, NEC approved back stabbed intstallation.

I'm with you brother man. I just saw in Lowe's the other day 15 amp ones that have 4 stabs on each side hot and neutral. Awesome!!

 

[sparkyjim]

The Master I originally trained under said it was just like on the play-ground, "No one likes a back-stabber". I have never used the option; it's the first thing I, or the service techs, look for when on those mystery outages at residences. I do understand it is a labor/time saver, but we don't do trac homes so I've never had to worry about the labor difference.