stranded wire to receptacle

Status
Not open for further replies.
e57 said:
I got a bunch of Leviton plates yesturday that had no slot in the screw - Not screwless plates - slot-less screws.... I said to myself - whell theres an auguement no one can have - if they figure out how to install it....
Click to expand...

A small suction cup at the end of a stick works well.
 
e57 said:
I got a bunch of Leviton plates yesturday that had no slot in the screw - Not screwless plates - slot-less screws.... I said to myself - whell theres an auguement no one can have - if they figure out how to install it....
Click to expand...

Must be a new type of security screw, they figured if you cant install them then somebody else cant remove them either... :grin:
 
e57 said:
I got a bunch of Leviton plates yesturday that had no slot in the screw - Not screwless plates - slot-less screws....
Click to expand...

We once got a batch of Leviton gfi's that had slotless screws. What's up with these people? Maybe the guy who puts the slots in the screws was sick one day or something? :)
 
jerm said:
We once got a batch of Leviton gfi's that had slotless screws. What's up with these people? Maybe the guy who puts the slots in the screws was sick one day or something? :)
Click to expand...

Why would anybody want to steal a Leviton?:roll:
 
I used to just twist the end of the stranded with my side cutters, but then I never liked stranded either, so I didn't work with it very much.

Greg, I think inspectors rock man!!
 
dcspector said:
Hey Chris how ya been? It is a good little practice with strand.
Click to expand...

Good and Yourself?

I agree it is a good way to terminate stranded on a wire binding screw.

Its interesting to watch how a thread can grow.:D

Chris
 
raider1 said:
Its interesting to watch how a thread can grow.:D
Click to expand...

...like a tree fungus

TreeFungus.JPG
 
If I don't have a fork terminal handy I split the strands in two sections, twist each one into a more solid strand and tweak them into a fork. I will try leaving the insulation on the end next time.
 
To the O/P, there is nothing wrong with stranded, so long as it is either used with a connecting fork (i.e., Sta-Kon) or twisted tightly so that all wire is neatly under the screw (or inside of a back-screw receptacle terminal, which is obviously fine and not up for discussion). The only potential code violation could be a lack of a "neat and workmanlike manner" raised for wire strands going every which way under a screw (i.e., a frayed connection).

Incidentally, I generally pigtail all my receptacles in advance, so I used to sit and strip the ends and twist the braids together (counterclockwise) to make them up. It was kind of relaxing, but it was certainly a waste of time for me, so I now carry (at least in #12 and #10 copper THHN) spools of solid in black, white, and green just for making up receptacles. Depending on the size of your job, this may be something to consider.
 
I recently went on a service call at a restuarant where a breaker kept tripping.There was a box on a wall with two switches that had all the appearences of a hack/weekend warrior work. When I took it apart to have a peek I found stranded wire going to both switches with stands of wire squashed out all around the terminal screws. When the fans were running it would vibrate enough to cause a short. I realy like the frog leg (STA-KON) crimp ons as they avoid ever having this problem. When I worked in industry we always used the frog leg connectors.
 
220/221 said:
If I don't have a fork terminal handy I split the strands in two sections, twist each one into a more solid strand and tweak them into a fork. I will try leaving the insulation on the end next time.
Click to expand...

You realize that is a violation of the manufacturers instructions and therefore 110.3(B).
 
I have found that I can keep the strands under the head of a terminal screw while tightening by pinching the loop closed tightly with the tips of a pair of needle-nosed pliers.

I do the same thing with even solid wire when tightening, for example, a grounding screw in a metal device or fan box, or a metallic enclosure or fixture housing. Try it! :smile:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top