Stranded wiring on receptacles & switches

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I simply pinch the loop shut with the tip of a needlenose while I tighten the screw. I do the same thing when I tighten a green screw. It also keeps the wire from spinning around.
 
Thanks guys: gndrod, I saw the P & S devices but thought they might price me out of business; mgmelec, my son swears by that method but I haven't tried it yet; larryfine, I pinch the loop shut also (usually with the end of the wire stripper).
 
why not just buy deeper boxes or two-gangs and single mud ring? seems like less time lost overall for a few bucks. not every box is going to need a bunch of hook-ups..
 
Great comment danickstr and I do than quite often, which always gets a blank stare from the inspector, in residential work. Unfortunately, Lamson & Sessions, (the Carlon blue box people), stop at their 32 cu. in. B432A 4" square box which doesn't solve much in bathrooms & front doors. Their BH235A 35 cu. in. box won't accept a raised cover.

Last July I sent the blue box people pictures of variations to their line which would give us more space in crowded boxes. I suggested they offer trimmable blank plastic covers and trimmable three gang raised covers in their 3 & 4 gang line (B344AB & B455A-UPC). If crowding became a issue the electrician could simply install a 3 gang raised cover on a 4 gang nail-on box and trim off 1 gang of blank cover from his "cover stock" and fill the space.

He would then have an extra 32 cu. in. available in the box and an extra 9.6 cu. in. available because of the 3G (1/2") raised cover.

Since they already offer 2 G raised blue covers we could trim down and drill one of their 4" square blanks, but the modification would not be UL listed.

The other alternative is to use commercial metal boxes and covers, which would send us to the poorhouse.
 
i am impressed that you took the time to send off a suggestion to Carlon. I often wondered why they don't make a plastic gang-reducing trim ring like you mentioned.

Is is illegal to put a metal trim ring that reduces on a plastic box? I would think it is, but I am not sure.
 
danickstr said:
i am impressed that you took the time to send off a suggestion to Carlon. I often wondered why they don't make a plastic gang-reducing trim ring like you mentioned.

Is is illegal to put a metal trim ring that reduces on a plastic box? I would think it is, but I am not sure.
i suppose if you bond the cover properly it could be legal
 
If a tapped ground screw went back towards the drywall on one of the flanged sides, the rockers may wrinkle a brow, but that would perhaps do it, except that the screw would not be easily accessible after the cover was attached.
 
danickstr said:
If a tapped ground screw went back towards the drywall on one of the flanged sides, the rockers may wrinkle a brow, but that would perhaps do it, except that the screw would not be easily accessible after the cover was attached.
No worse than a G-clip on a metal box. In fact, a G-clip would be better than a screw for a ring.
 
Hi guys: danickstr; I don't think it's illegal to reduce the opening but can't find any reference to it. When we install a flourescent light w/ a 2" KO over a ceiling box it's legal. electricalperson: I'm sure it's a question of money that the blue box people haven't expanded their line. And yes, 406.2 (D) (2) exception faceplates must grounded on non-metallic boxes.

I mearly ground the yokes (which grounds the faceplates) on non-metallic boxes. Some plastic box people provide a grounding point in the box so if a metal faceplate is used it can be grounded with a pigtail and be accessible per 406.2 (D) (2) exception.
 
danickstr said:
speaking of g-clips, I have always avoided them due to their ease of falling off.

what sayest ye?
I sayest that, unless you spread the clip installing it, it should grip very well.
 
I Think that putting stranded wire on device screws. First of all I never backwire a device. Is just about the hairiest install possible. I always wrap and I can go as fast as anyone backwiring. That is my personal opinion. You go Chewbacca may the force be with you. If I had to I would Tin the wire but I never have to.
 
quogueelectric said:
I Think that putting stranded wire on device screws. First of all I never backwire a device. Is just about the hairiest install possible. I always wrap and I can go as fast as anyone backwiring. That is my personal opinion. You go Chewbacca may the force be with you. If I had to I would Tin the wire but I never have to.
Are you disdaining screw-clamp backwiring, or only spring-loaded back-stabbing? The former is like most GFCI-receptacle terminals, and the latter is like cheap residential-grade receptacles.
 
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