pig tales required?

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electricaldoc

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The IBEW pushes that so called pig tails (wire nuts splicing wires together with one left out for use) are required on every wire at every receptacle. Our NEC instructor told us it is code, but I can not find it in code. I have only found that the grounding conductors must meet this requirement, so no outlets down stream lose their grounding conductor. He claims this is required for all conductors for the same reason, but he could not find it in code. We pointed out a picture in NEC hand book of a receptacle wired with hot coming in on one side and out the other and same with grounded conductor. We said if this picture is in hand book then it must be legal, which means we are correct only grounding conductor required to be pig tailed.
Does anyone know if this is true and where in code?
Any help appreciated.
 
You wont find it because it isn't there. The code reference often used is 300.13(B) which says that in multi-wire circuits the continuity of grounded coductor shall not depend on device connection. Pig-tailing is one way to accomplish this.
 
I agree. Although I think pigtailing is a good practice (especially on heavily loaded circuits) it is not required by the NEC. The ungrounded (neutral) conductor in a multiwire circuit must be pigtailed at recptacles to insure continuity of the neutral when the recptacle is replaced.

Bob
 
I agree that "hot" conductors are not required to be "pigtailed", only grounded conductors of multi-wire branch circuits in accordance with 300.13(B), and equipment grounding conductors in accordance with 250.148(B).

On a side note when I run multi-wire branch circuits for commercial applications I will usually pig-tail all of my conductors when making up the box. Old habits seem to die hard.:D

Chris
 
bkludecke said:
I agree. Although I think pigtailing is a good practice (especially on heavily loaded circuits) it is not required by the NEC. The ungrounded (neutral) conductor in a multiwire circuit must be pigtailed at recptacles to insure continuity of the neutral when the recptacle is replaced.

Bob
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I agree with Bob. Cept I think he should leave out the part about heavily loaded circuits.
 
Thanks Pierre,

I find it very helpful when people post section numbers to back up their comments, that way I can read the section myself.

Chris
 
We all know (??) that code says only a MWBC requires the neut to be Pigtailed ... my personal preference is to Pigtail all, but again is my preference ... some 'Hardcore Union Guys' (I am a Member, hope I don't get my 'PP slapped') and I know this forum does not allow "Union type" debates, but some will want to extend time to perform the job ... hey forgive me guys but its not code to pigtail every thing ... m
 
mario said:
... but some will want to extend time to perform the job ...
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Haven't you ever heard the saying:
"There are only 2 good jobs...the one you left and the one you're going to"

"Extending" the job is only prolonging the misery :D
 
mario said:
We all know (??) that code says only a MWBC requires the neut to be Pigtailed ... my personal preference is to Pigtail all, but again is my preference ... some 'Hardcore Union Guys' (I am a Member, hope I don't get my 'PP slapped') and I know this forum does not allow "Union type" debates, but some will want to extend time to perform the job ... hey forgive me guys but its not code to pigtail every thing ... m
Click to expand...


Well it's not code to pull an EGC in EMT either but many guys feel that it makes for a better job. The issue may or may not be what makes a job take longer, but what makes it better.
 
I have worked Union and non-Union, and I am a firm believer in pig tales. In MHO, it makes a better connection. I also agree with Trevor, there are practices that are just plain better, that are not in code.

As an Contractor, if I had to choose between fast or what I deem as right, I will choose the latter every time.
 
electricaldoc said:
We had no agenda. We read the code book out loud and asked questions. The biggest waste of time and money.
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Reading the code book and asking questions??? Isn't that how you learn ???
Those are some of the nights I learn the most.
 
Michael, I'm with you. Parallel pigtails save time in many ways. The 30013(B) isn't even questioned and sheetrock covered circuits do not hamper heating up a receptacle outlet. The biggest time saver is on the final makeup where the trim guy doesn't need to read tea leaves to hookup a packed box. Believe the pro's do it because they have learned how to make money with little uncoded tricks of the trade such as parallel pigtailing. JMO & experience.
 
gndrod said:
Michael, I'm with you. Parallel pigtails save time in many ways. The 30013(B) isn't even questioned and sheetrock covered circuits do not hamper heating up a receptacle outlet. The biggest time saver is on the final makeup where the trim guy doesn't need to read tea leaves to hookup a packed box. Believe the pro's do it because they have learned how to make money with little uncoded tricks of the trade such as parallel pigtailing. JMO & experience.
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I agree with this. I also find it easier to fold one set of 12 wires into the box on trim than two sets attached to the device.

If, on trim two sets are not made up in the box, then I know it is a gfi, and that the stripped wires are the line side. Once the entire company gets on band waggon using the same tell tail signs, the entire trimm flies. And the rough in crew does not have to trimm the same job. Anyone can fill in for anyone at any time, without a three hour meeting on what has been done.
 
jbwhite said:
If, on trim two sets are not made up in the box, then I know it is a gfi, and that the stripped wires are the line side. Anyone can fill in for anyone at any time, without a three hour meeting on what has been done.
Click to expand...

Leave it the same every time and it works every time. I like to leave the load side curled up and the line side folded in the box. If it is NM I just draw take a sharpy and draw a straight line on the ''line wire"this works well with switch boxes also.
I know alot of people don't like the 'wago' push in wire connectors but they work great for rough in splices. If you splice all your leads and don't leave a pig tail on them, you can put the pig tails on the recepticals on the bench then just plug them in at the box on trim out. If installed correctly the work great. I have used thousands of them and had only one pull out because it was install wrong. They are far better then the quick wire plugs in the recepticals because they have a higher amp rating.
 
I`ve always been a firm believer, rough it as if you are going to trim it.Didn`t make a difference if I was hourly or piece.I have been in both sets of shoes.

I worked for one company that did there best to have the rough crew trim out the houses they did.Made a big difference on the quality of the work.
 
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