Have Backstabs Improved?

[360Youth]

You're right....fire off those requests to roger.



EDIT:


Ya know.....you don't have to read them, much less respond to them - and then demand they be shut down after you given your final authoritative opinion on the matter.

Sheesh, who's whining now. It was a simple request, that's all.

 

[celtic]

I am a back stabber and I put a 3 year warrenty on all my work and have not one time had a call back for a back stab device.

Does that mean:
- on day 1096 they call some other guy
or
- they never fail?

I think I asked this previously of screw down man ( #40)

It's definitley a 2-way dead end street

 

[celtic]

Sheesh, who's whining now. It was a simple request, that's all.

I'm not whining....I agreed with you and "vocalized" an observation.
Call it what you want...but that is what it is.

 

[steelersman]

NO NO NO look again that baby is on the screw it is just melted vary badly. you will notice the wire is around the screw the wrong way.

I am a back stabber and I put a 3 year warrenty on all my work and have not one time had a call back for a back stab device.

I'm with you on this for sure. Nothing wrong with backstabbing as long as it's done right. I've never in 15 years had a problem with any of mine let alone found any that were bad that weren't mine.

 

[Minuteman]

NO NO NO look again that baby is on the screw it is just melted vary badly.

I am a back stabber and I put a 3 year warrenty on all my work and have not one time had a call back for a back stab device.

Maybe some has failed but they won't call you back because they found someone who hooks the screw.

Seriously, I believe the backstabs that I have seen on service calls, were like 15 years old. So, I guess the ones you install today maybe better. However, I doubt I will ever backstab, even if I'm in a jurisdiction that allows #14.

 

[MF Dagger]

I say we go back to the old porcelain outlets that were rated for ten amps. No profit holes to be found either.

 

[walkerj]

So, when you take the time to screw all your #14 hooks down, which way does the ground go?

Do you put some solder and tape on there too?

This is a ridiculous argument

 

[mdshunk]

Seriously, I believe the backstabs that I have seen on service calls, were like 15 years old. So, I guess the ones you install today maybe better.

Or maybe it takes about 15 years before they start to show failures? At least a wire around a screw terminal, when properly done, removes any doubt about the future quality of the connection.

 

[220/221]

At least a wire around a screw terminal, when properly done, removes any doubt about the future quality of the connection.

Removes most doubt.


I did a service call a few weeks ago on an installation I did a couple/few years ago. Single pole switches to a evap cooler/pump, 4s box/inustrial cover.

Both switches were wrapped of course and both switches were somehow broken at the terminals??? I have NO idea how it happened. Did I over tighten and crack them on installation? Doubtful, but who knows.

 

[mdshunk]

I'll just call you 'Godzilla' from now on, then.

 

[celtic]

....when properly done, removes any doubt about the future quality of the connection.

Isn't that the key to all connections/terminations...whether they be screw terminals, back stabbed, EMT connectors for use an EGC, etc etc etc?

 

[mdshunk]

Isn't that the key to all connections/terminations...whether they be screw terminals, back stabbed, EMT connectors for use an EGC, etc etc etc?

Probably, but I'm still convinced that the backstab connection 'changes' over time. I really don't care if I'm right or wrong about that, since this is an issue that will probably never be settled. I'm all for "cutting corners", you might say, any time I think there can be some labor savings. Backstabbing, however, is one thing I just can't bring myself to do. When I'm fixing a failed backstab, I have no idea what was improperly done about the connection. All I know, for sure, is that it failed for an unknown reason and had the installer put it around the screw terminals, it would have stood a fighting chance.

 

[celtic]

All I know, for sure, is that it failed for an unknown reason and had the installer put it around the screw terminals, it would have stood a fighting chance.

Maybe




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[LarryFine]

Both switches were wrapped of course and both switches were somehow broken at the terminals??? I have NO idea how it happened. Did I over tighten and crack them on installation?

I've done it more than once. :roll:

 

[LarryFine]

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(You can always enter extra spacers between words and/or emoticons; they count but don't parse.)

 

[celtic]

(You can always enter extra spacers between words and/or emoticons; they count but don't parse.)

(Yes...but everyone does that :smile

 

[76nemo]

I'm with Rob, there was no, "Never backstab" option. I really like Gunning's opinion on post #21.

Look at the surface area used on a backstab device, now compare that to a screwed terminal's surface area. The wiper on the backstab device is spring loaded. It is spring loaded by a metal that is susceptible to heat, a heat that can break the material down over time.

Can we reword this thread? If you are going to build you a new $350,000 dollar home, are you going to cut corners and backstab??? Can we go from here?

 

[celtic]

Can we reword this thread? If you are going to build you a new $350,000 dollar home, are you going to cut corners and backstab??? Can we go from here?

How much is the electrical?
If the home is going to have $300,000 worth of stone work - something has to give :wink:

 

[76nemo]

How much is the electrical?
If the home is going to have $300,000 worth of stone work - something has to give :wink:

Not going to argue here. You know what I mean. This isn't a ground up/down subject. I just wanted to talk physics here.

 

[LarryFine]

If the home is going to have $300,000 worth of stone work - something has to give :wink:

You could always use 49? receptacles. :grin:


Added: Disclaimer: I believe we all agree that we're talking about the spring-clamp, back-stabbed type of receptacles here, and not the back-wired, screw-clamp type of receptacles, which are great, especially with stranded wire, right?