Have Backstabs Improved?

[GUNNING]

I Backstab,

I Backstab,

but only on convienence outlets on known load.
After I twist a joint with a pigtail, I'll backstab. I tug once to to make sure I've set the wire in the divice right. Inspect how much copper is showing and where it is to that snake bite ground. Then shove it home with a screwdriver handle. The devices are not ment to hold 15 or 20 continuous amps. Thats why they call them convienence outlets. Ive seen rusted, loose, and incinerated screws on outlets. The same as with quickwired ones. I have not seen a receptacle, pigtailed off of a circuit, quickwired and burned (without due cuase that is.)

If the manufacturer feels comfortable puttin the hole on the back, Ill use it. Its not up to me to redefine the manufacturers instructions or suggestions.

 

[infinity]

Your poll should have a check off for "I never backstab, ever". As it stands now your results will be skewed since those who never backstab have no box to check.

 

[steelersman]

Your poll should have a check off for "I never backstab, ever". As it stands now your results will be skewed since those who never backstab have no box to check.

well it should also have a box that says: "I use the stab-ins every chance I get even in my own house and never once had a problem with them, maybe some people don't stab the wire in far enough or don't strip out enough insulation, hence the ""so many evil problems that people seem to think occur"".

 

[480sparky]

.... Ive seen rusted, loose, and incinerated screws on outlets. .....

That may well be an installation issue, not a fault of the screws. As for rust, there's no way you can prevent it be choosing the screw or the backstab.... that's caused was infiltration of water.

Loose screws. Who says they were tight from the get-go?

Incinerated? Again, may be due to the hack who got lazy and didn't tighten it. Maybe it's because someone installed a 30amp fuse/breaker to keep the circuit hot. Could be from the remodeller who worked there two years ago plugged in all his battery chargers, air compressor and saws into that one recep while he did that job there.

 

[celtic]

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

Yes I do. :smile:

You guys can debate the merits of screw-down over backstabbing for all eternity - but the fact remains: All back-stabbed devices do not fail.
When someone can show me positive proof that all stabbed devices fail, I will try a different "APPROVED" method.
In the mean time....I'll continue to wire every device I can with #14 and stab it....if the customer wants a #12 for every thing ~ I can accommodate that request as well....money talks and the rest is all just filler.

As a little trip down "Off Topic Lane"....who of the screw down club buys the 0.49? devices from the big box store?
I'm sure some of you use a higher quality product (and hopefully charge a comparable price).....but let's be honest - who buys the budget devices and screws the conductors down?

 

[480sparky]

....You guys can debate the merits of screw-down over backstabbing for all eternity - but the fact remains: All back-stabbed devices do not fail.
When someone can show me positive proof that all stabbed devices fail, I will try a different "APPROVED" method.
.....

Where did anyone say they ALL fail? I think the consensus is that backstabs fail more than screws.

 

[celtic]

Where did anyone say they ALL fail?

Well if they ALL don't fail - then it ain't ALL that bad, now is it?
SImilar comments have been posted about the screw down terminals as well.

I think the consensus is that backstabs fail more than screws.

The consensus of those who do not like back stabbed devices:-?
Well that's one hell of a way to run a poll.

 

[480sparky]

...Well that's one hell of a way to run a poll.

Um, it's not my poll......

 

[iaov]

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

Likewise. I have had them pull out when pulling a recepticle out to have a look.

 

[William1978]

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

I bet that backstabbing does creat a lot of service work. I have never backstabbed any devices I installed.

 

[infinity]

well it should also have a box that says: "I use the stab-ins every chance I get even in my own house and never once had a problem with them, maybe some people don't stab the wire in far enough or don't strip out enough insulation, hence the ""so many evil problems that people seem to think occur"".

Ok, but how does that address those who never backstab in the first place for whatever reason?

 

[LarryFine]

As a little trip down "Off Topic Lane"....who of the screw down club buys the 0.49? devices from the big box store?
I'm sure some of you use a higher quality product (and hopefully charge a comparable price).....but let's be honest - who buys the budget devices and screws the conductors down?

I do. The job gets what the job calls for. Why?

You're not suggesting that using approved cheap receptacles is any worse than using approved stab-holes, are you?

 

[sparky723]

me too.

me too.

I'm with Larry. I get the "cheap" ones from HD or Lowe's and I use the screws. I think it provides a better overall connection. Whether its true or not, I don't care or want to squabble about it. I guess its just the way I was taught and when you are taught a way to do something, normally you stick to it. I havent been in the electrical trade for very long (14 yrs.) but I can tell you once I learn a way to do something and do it over and over that way, it is hard to let myself try a different way, even if it IS faster .(back-stabbing). I read ALOT on this and other forums and one thing has occured to me. We (electricians) are very opinionated. We do the things we do the way we like to do them. I was reading last night on another forum about 'tips and tricks'. One person mentioned the word "scab" in his post and all HELL broke loose. ( Please dont reply about "scabs", because the other forum WASTED like 5-7 pages talking about it.) Talk about off subject... It is funny how we are a different breed of "people", I.E.-some like Union, some like Non-Union, some like back stabbing, some like screw terminations, etc, etc... I think you get the picture. Lets just say that we have our own preferences and be done with it. It reminds me of a phrase my wife once told me about the kids," Learn to pick your battles". FTWDK, it means let the small stuff slide and get on with the "bigger" things in life. When I first started in the trade in the DFW area, I got out on those BIG jobs and realized the electricians were kinda the "top" trade out there. It would be nice to see that integrity kept up, even on here. Have a great day and God bless, sparky723:smile:

 

[JJWalecka]

I was taught not to back stab but I have installed that way. It is UL listed, so in that aspect we are covered. It does make trouble shooting quicker but I still think pig tailing is a quality installation.
Just my two cents

JJ

 

[220/221]

The problems seem to happen most when their is a load such as a electric heater or iorning board

Actually, the ironing board doesn't really draw many amps. I do though always ask where they plug the iron in.

My favorite is when I plug the wiggy in a recep and the lights come on. Easy money :wink:

 

[alfiesauce]

I do not backstab.
I hope to never be told I have to back stab by a company. I have however found the use for wagos, and use them on a rare occasion.

 

[steelersman]

I'm with Larry. I get the "cheap" ones from HD or Lowe's and I use the screws. I think it provides a better overall connection. Whether its true or not, I don't care or want to squabble about it. I guess its just the way I was taught and when you are taught a way to do something, normally you stick to it. I havent been in the electrical trade for very long (14 yrs.) but I can tell you once I learn a way to do something and do it over and over that way, it is hard to let myself try a different way, even if it IS faster .(back-stabbing). I read ALOT on this and other forums and one thing has occured to me. We (electricians) are very opinionated. We do the things we do the way we like to do them. I was reading last night on another forum about 'tips and tricks'. One person mentioned the word "scab" in his post and all HELL broke loose. ( Please dont reply about "scabs", because the other forum WASTED like 5-7 pages talking about it.) Talk about off subject... It is funny how we are a different breed of "people", I.E.-some like Union, some like Non-Union, some like back stabbing, some like screw terminations, etc, etc... I think you get the picture. Lets just say that we have our own preferences and be done with it. It reminds me of a phrase my wife once told me about the kids," Learn to pick your battles". FTWDK, it means let the small stuff slide and get on with the "bigger" things in life. When I first started in the trade in the DFW area, I got out on those BIG jobs and realized the electricians were kinda the "top" trade out there. It would be nice to see that integrity kept up, even on here. Have a great day and God bless, sparky723:smile:

What's a scab?

 

[480sparky]

What's a scab?

You're kidding, right?


OK, if you're not:

A derogatory term used colloquially in reference to a nonunion worker who takes the place of a union employee on strike.

That said, let's not turn this into a Union/non-Union debate, please.

 

[iwire]

What's a scab?

Please dont reply about "scabs", because the other forum WASTED like 5-7 pages talking about it

We are not going to waste space on it here.

 

[celtic]

I bet that backstabbing does creat a lot of service work. I have never backstabbed any devices I installed.

Does that mean:
- your screwed devices never fail
or
- your customers experience failure and call someone else
:-?