pig tails on recp?

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bill@usps06492

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Is it reqired by the NEC that splices for a 120v 15or20 amp recp be pigtailed and not use the terminal scews or stabs on the device for the splice/connection of other devices on the same circuit. Art.14(a) allows the use of screw terminals, but (b) states that splices must be covered with and insulating materail ie...wire nuts. Is wrapping with tape around the device ok?
Bill
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

I don't know of anything in the code that prohibits using the device itself in place of pigtailing the wires. I do it myself all the time.

When you wire the device that way, technically it's not a splice, so I don't think you have to worry about the rules requiring it to be covered a certain way.

My thinking is that the second set of screws isn't there only for split-wiring. If you look at a 15A device, it often says that it's rated at 20A for pass-through, which seems to indicate that the device is intended to be used this way.

[ January 18, 2006, 03:27 PM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

Take a look at 300.13(B). On a multiwire circuit, the continuity of the neutral can't be interrupted by the replacement of the device.

While you can splice the hot conductor by the device, the neutral, on a multiwire circuit, must not be spliced by the device.
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

We have been here before and it got "lets say heated" "cheesy is the term used and I quote others" Not trying to be funny.
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

would like to see the "Thread" about "Pig-Tailing" ... personally, I Pig-Tail "all" wires in the house ... Ok, so I won't get hired by the "Money Oriented" Contractor, but I can "sleep at night" knowing that the house won't burn down tonite ... M :cool:
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

I Pig-Tail "all" wires in the house ... Ok, so I won't get hired by the "Money Oriented" Contractor, but I can "sleep at night" knowing that the house won't burn down tonite ... M
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Why would the house burn down? The original post is not about multiwire circuits, if you have three romex cables in the box is what he is asking do you need to splice the wires together or can you use the terminal screws and the back stabbing method on the receptacle, I for one would pigtail that is just the way I was taught, as for the tape around the recptacle that is personal prefrence, I will use it sometimes when a metal box is used. :cool: :cool:
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

Originally posted by triphase:
On a note pigtailing receptacles can reduce a series circuit type of effect.
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Want to run that by again with an explanation for this out of the loop sparky? :confused:
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

How do these things get started? :eek: What nonsense.

Using feed thru screws on a receptacle will not burn your house down any more than using a wirenut to pigtail.
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

Personally, I like to pigtail. One would have to look at each termination as a possible point of failure. The less termination the less that can fail. If both wiring methods were done perfectly then failure is not an issue, only the installation time. However, the more termination points the greater the possibility there is for a failure at one of those points.
Pigtailing out to the wiring device that's one screw termination and the wirenut pig tail, the pigtail carrying the feed through load. When using the wiring device to feed through then the point to point in the wiring device must carry the feed through load and you also have to termination points.
Then consider which is more likely to fail. the wirenut connection or the termination on the wiring device. A failure of a termination point of a wiring device that has been pigtailed will not be subjected to any feed through load.
In a perfect world, other than splitting hares both method would equally the same.
And it's easier to replace an outlet.
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

I find it hard to believe that a wire nut joint is anymore secure than a conductor wrapped around a screw and securely tightened.
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

"securely tightened. "
Thats the key word to the problem.But i will admit i have seen loose wire nuts too.All one can do is makes splices and connections to there best ability.Some simply don't care.
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

I guess I sorta want to apologize for my "Burn the house down" statement I made previously ... I just finished wireing an unfinished house my son purchased that was partially wired .. I ended up re-doing all previous installation; it was scary ... romex sheath removed only about an inch or two and receps stabbed and hooked (yes, #12 wire stabbed into #14 holes) .. a few had 4 cables into a box .. loose screws; stabs pulling out when receps removed to inspect etc ... as I said it was scary ...
Point being, I agree if installed properly, either method is OK .. my personal preference is pigtailing and hooking around screws ..
speaking of that..I believe the stab-ins on receps are for #14 .. don't work with 20 amp circuits huh ... M :cool:
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

John, I did not get to complete this reply, I had an emergency to attend to. Sorry! and don't want you to think I am a total "Moron" But here Is what I intended to say RE. pigtailing can reduce the "series circuit effect" "One goes out they all go out" lets say first receptacle on circuit loses its grounded conductor terminal you will still have voltage down stream and "Duh" no appliances will work as We have all seen on service calls I was just making a comment! Pigtailing is the way to go when the computers on that circuit have to keep running untill we can get there to repair just one recep.
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

Both methods work fine if properly done.

My preference is pig tailing. I have heard of too many home owners changing their own duplexes with power left on. Yes, I know they shouldn't be doing it, but they have been told by so called reliable electricians that as long as they do not touch the black wire they can't receive a shock. Guess what happens when they get across the 2 neutrals with a load downstream? :roll:
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

Plus, it's a lot easier to fold the device back into the box when you use a stranded pigtail. Some counties here in Indiana don't allow the use of #14, even in residential. So, #12 stranded is a lot easier to work with.

As has been pointed out earlier in the thread, pigtailing the neutral is required in multiwire branch circuits.
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

"Some counties here in Indiana don't allow the use of #14, even in residential."

210.19(A)(4)Exception No. 1 (c) is where you will find the reference that requires the pigtail to a receptacle to be the size required for the overcurrent device protecting the circuit.
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

Pierre -

You misunderstood me, or I wasn't clear. I meant that some counties here don't allow the use of #14 "romex" for house wiring, even 15 amp circuits. Local codes prohibit the use of anything smaller than #12. It's rare, but there are some out there.
 
Re: pig tails on recp?

Originally posted by bdarnell:
Pierre -

You misunderstood me, or I wasn't clear. I meant that some counties here don't allow the use of #14 "romex" for house wiring, even 15 amp circuits. Local codes prohibit the use of anything smaller than #12. It's rare, but there are some out there.
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I believe kookyville is one of them. :roll:
 
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