Stranded wires under screws

[Sharpie]

Do any of you terminate stranded wires under screw terminals (i.e. Recepts, or ground screws)?

Another question: What about solid wires under "pressure plate" style terminals?

Just curious about opinions.

 

[raider1]

Yes, and Yes to both questions.

Chris

 

[charlietuna]

yes and yes too!:wink:

 

[220/221]

Stranded wire under a screw only in a pinch with no fork terminals available.

"pressure plate" style terminals will take any wire nicely.

 

[iwire]

IMO the only thing a fork terminal accomplishes is a better looking installation, I do not believe for a moment that it actually provides a better connection.

 

[peter d]

I do not believe for a moment that it actually provides a better connection.

I don't either, but it it less of a pain than wrapping stranded around terminals. That's why I prefer the backwired receptacles.

 

[wireguru]

I don't either, but it it less of a pain than wrapping stranded around terminals. That's why I prefer the backwired receptacles.

yep. My question is not 'how do you get a stranded wire to stay under a screw', but why are you using a device that requires you to get a stranded wire to stay under a screw?

 

[iwire]

but why are you using a device that requires you to get a stranded wire to stay under a screw?

Because the customer does not want to pay for better devices?

 

[celtic]

.... why are you using a device that requires you to get a stranded wire to stay under a screw?

Are there any devices rated for back stabbing a #12 stranded wire?

 

[mikeames]

Twisting the strands counter-clockwise works fairly well for keeping all the strands under the screw.

 

[raider1]

I will leave a tiny piece of insulation on the end of the standed wire when I wrap the wire around a screw terminal. The small piece of insulation will hold the strands together pretty good.

Chris

 

[ike5547]

I combine the methods of posts 10 & 11.

 

[Flex]

Are any receptacles rated to take stranded wire without fork terminals?

 

[celtic]

Are any receptacles rated to take stranded wire without fork terminals?

Are any receptacles rated to take stranded wire with fork terminals?

 

[iwire]

Are any receptacles rated to take stranded wire without fork terminals?

Every single device rated 15, 20 or 30 amps with a UL listing is listed for stranded or solid.

 

[iwire]

Are any receptacles rated to take stranded wire with fork terminals?

Now that is darn right evil.

 

[Flex]

I dont know too much but i think the Pass and Seymour CR series receptacles only accept solid.

 

[iwire]

I dont know too much but i think the Pass and Seymour CR series receptacles only accept solid.

If that is true then they are not UL listed.

 

[raider1]

I dont know too much but i think the Pass and Seymour CR series receptacles only accept solid.

Yes, according to P&S the CR series devices only accept #14 through #10 solid conductors, while the BR series will accept either stranded or solid wire.

HERE is a link to a page with information on the P&S CR series receptacles.

Chris

 

[iwire]

Intgresting, here is what the white book says.

RECEPTACLES FOR PLUGS AND
ATTACHMENT PLUGS (RTRT)
GENERAL
This category covers general use receptacles for use in wiring systems
recognized by ANSI/NFPA 70, ??National Electrical Code?? (NEC), and
outlets for use in appliances and fixtures. It also covers some attachment
plugs, male inlets, and cord connectors with nonstandard slot or blade
configurations which are part of a line of wiring devices including receptacles.
Other similar attachment plug devices are covered under Attachment
Plugs (AXGV).

snip..

Terminals of the wire-binding screw, setscrew, or screw-actuated back wired clamping types are suitable for use with both solid and stranded
building wires.