Receptacles in a branch circuit

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mmandilk

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As we were discussing in the shop we got on the subject of wiring multiple receptacles in a branch circuit. When was the practice started of putting a whip on the receptacle then splicing into the branch circuit as to allow replacement of the receptacle without opening the cicuit and not drawing current through the receptacle break off tabs? Was this code required. We looked back through a few code versions 1993.
Thanks
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

The only code requirement that I'm aware of is Art.300.12(B) States that the grounded conductor in a multiwire branch cicuit shall not depend on the device to make the connection. How ever I make it a practice to "pig tail" all conductors in device boxes on the rough in stage so that when I go back for trim I only have to strip two wires land them on the devices & I'm done.
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

In the NEC, pigtailing of devices is only required in multiwire branch circuits where continuity of the neutral is necessary to maintain constant voltage in the circuit. See 300.13(B). There are UL restrictions on the use of stab-in terminations on devices, but I don't remember when they first appeared.
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

I have *some* recollection of pigtailing the grounded conductors in non-dwelling unit applications...I have been looking in the 2002NEC, but still cannot locate the exact Article #...I may need to back to '99 or even '96 to see if what I "recall" was code or theory/practice.
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

1968 NEC
300-13. Mechanical Continuity - Conductors. Conductors shall be continuous between outlets, devices, etc., and, except as permitted for auxuiliary gutters in Section 374-8, and for wireways in Section 362-6, there shall be no splice or tap within a raceway itself.
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In the 1971 NEC cycle 300-13 was tweaked and expanded to become:
1971 NEC
300-13. Mechanical and Electrical Continuity - Conductors. Conductors shall be continuous between outlets, devices, etc., and, except as permitted for auxuiliary gutters in Section 374-8, and for wireways in Section 362-6, and Section 300-15(a), there shall be no splice or tap within a raceway itself.

In multiwire circuits the continuity of an identified grounded conductor shall not be dependent upon device connections, such as lampholders, receptacles, etc., where the removal of such devices would interrupt the continuity.
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Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

So, to say it colloquially, only the neutral of a multiwire circuit must be pigtailed before connecting to the receptacle, by the NEC.

The single ground screw can only have one conductor under it, which implies pigtailing.

The hot conductors are not prohibited from splicing in the device.

In my opinion, pigtailing is a better wiring practice that, simply, makes good electrical and mechanical sense. It is my prefered technique.
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

From UL White Book - Single And duplex receptacles rated 15A and 20A that are provided with more than one set of terminals for the connection of line and neutral conductors may be used to feed a single set of branch circuit conductors connected to other receptacles on a multi-outlet branch circuit.

Screwless terminal connectors of the conductor push-in type are restricted to 15A branch circuits and are for connection with 14AWG solid copper wire only.
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

Unless local addendums are used.Back in the 90`s there was one county here Pinellas that required all residential receptacles to have all conductors both grounded and ungrounded to be pigtailed,Made for great hot checks but I wonder how many receptacles that were burried by some uncaring drywaller are still that way ;)
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

Thanks all for the input and direction. I agree it is a good and safe practice I just was wondering how or when it came into effect.
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

For a non-multiwire branch circuit, nothing in the NEC has required or requires the "whips" you mention. So, it has never gone into effect, yet.

(Although one might say 110.3(B) applies when the number of conductors being spliced together exceeds the available terminals on the device.)
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

George the owner of the company i work for built an 8,000 sq ft home last year and when it was wired he insisted that all receptacles be pig tailed :D
I for one like the idea that pig tails be installed at rough in but that is MHO :D
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

Originally posted by allenwayne:
He had receptacles everywhere and he didn`t want there to be a problem if there was a few covered up.Oh and BTW all pig tails were to have wire nuts on the ends of the wires :D
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To which I am sure you replied, "But sir, I will need to locate and expose any buried boxes per 314.29, but rest assured, I will try to keep the drywall repairs to a bare minimum." :D
I for one like the idea that pig tails be installed at rough in but that is MHO :D
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For switches, sure. Receptacles are a lot easier to find with a wire hound if they aren't tied through, IMO. ;)
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

No need for anything to get barried.Good GC have supervisors that use spray paint and mark on floor a left or right handed L at the stud the box is on.Myself i learned to use red crayons on the floor as well as make a as built plan .They paid for the receptacle ,so why not demand to have it.Any drywall damage is on the drywall people not me.And if there are several i will back charge for my time finding it and cutting it out.Bill them $50 and i bet they stop missing them ;)
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

MY bad, we were talking about putting 15 amp receptacles into a 20 amp circuit. The load of the multiple outlets after could exceed the rating of a 15 amp rec. if not pigtailed in with 12g. Is there a section in code that requires the 15amp receptacle to be pigtailed or can you rely on the break away tabs to carry the 20 amp current? Again MY BAD.
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

mmandilk,

My post: April 01, 2005 01:03 PM, covers this. :)
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

Originally posted by mmandilk:
Is there a section in code that requires the 15amp receptacle to be pigtailed or can you rely on the break away tabs to carry the 20 amp current? Again MY BAD.
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Table 210.23(B)(3) says they're ok. The receptacles are rated for that feed through, listed by UL. No sweat, no need for pigtailing. :D
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

A lot of places in northeast Ohio require splicing and pigtailing of all conductors independently of the receptacle. This is partly because 69 cent receptacles have cheap steel binding screws and steel current carrying parts. There is not a way for the inspector to force someone to use receptacles that have better metal in them.

Also, Dr. Jesse Aronstein determined that a lot of "aluminum" wiring failures were really steel wiring failures. As a matter of scientific control he did testing of both aluminum and copper wiring. 69 cent receptacle that were subjected to heavy current such as from a 1500 watt heater were found to fail almost as often when copper wire was used and the copper wire was not cleaned up with sandpaper to remove copper oxide.

Thanks to catalytic converters copper wiring that is out of doors oxidizes just as fast as aluminum and there are 2 joint compounds on the marker that are formulated just for use with copper wire and brass conduit (if you can find it).

For the past 2 weeks I have been substantially rebuilding some outdoor compact fluorescent fixtures. I had installed these 2.5 years ago. One problem was that Regent did not use #220 silicon carbide paper, elbow grease and electrical grease on the ballast wires. As a result, I am getting a 50% lampholder failure rate because the copper and brass oxidized. The installation is on a main roadway in Cleveland.
 
Re: Receptacles in a branch circuit

Originally posted by georgestolz:
Originally posted by mmandilk:
Is there a section in code that requires the 15amp receptacle to be pigtailed or can you rely on the break away tabs to carry the 20 amp current? Again MY BAD.
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Table 210.23(B)(3) says they're ok. The receptacles are rated for that feed through, listed by UL. No sweat, no need for pigtailing. :D
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George did you mean 210.21(b)(3)?
 
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