To backstab or not to backstab?

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Lithium1994

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Waterbury, CT
The age old question. My instructor says never to backstab, but on externship last week the contractors swear by it. Which is the most efficient, safe, and correct way to wire a receptacle or switch.
 
The only time I see backstabbing as an option is on cheap receptacles, so I don't backstab.

Backwiring is fine, though. The difference is that backwiring has a screw that allows tightening of the connection. P&S receptacles are good in this regard. Still, I prefer to wire to the screws on the side. Somehow I feel better being able to see the connection.
 
As far as UL is concerned, "backstabbing" is completely fine:

Screwless terminal connectors of the conductor push-in type (also known as "push-in-terminals") are restricted to 15 A branch circuits and are for connection with 14 AWG solid copper wire only. They are not intended for use with aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wire, 14 AWG stranded copper wire, or 12 AWG solid or stranded copper wire.

Single and duplex receptacles rated 15 and 20 A that are provided with more than one set of terminals for the connection of line and neutral conductors have been investigated to feed branch circuit conductors connected to other outlets on a multi-outlet branch circuit, as follows:

Back wire (screw actuated clamp type) terminations with multiple wire access holes used concurrently to terminate more than one conductor
Side wire (binding screw) terminals used concurrently with their respective push-in (screwless) terminations to terminate more than one conductor
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Do a service call on a place a few years old. Half the wires on the devices will fall out when you ease a device out of a box.

They suck.
 
Lithium1994 said:
To backstab or not to backstab?
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Not! Back-wired, absolutely! Better than screws.


bikeindy said:
I wonder if anyone who won't backstab will use stab type "wirenuts"? do you remove them from can fixtures when you wire them?
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I do use those; the load is only more lights.


charlie b said:
I've been backstabbed. Does that count? :lol:
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It's okay as long as you don't get back-wired! :shock:
 
bphgravity said:
As far as UL is concerned, "backstabbing" is completely fine:

Screwless terminal connectors of the conductor push-in type (also known as "push-in-terminals") are restricted to 15 A branch circuits and are for connection with 14 AWG solid copper wire only.
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Click to expand...

Do you have a UL link for this?
 
Its crappy work and we all know it.If your only after $$$$$ keep doing it.Love to be there when you do that service call out of warranty and charge them for your cheap but legal mess.If i was them i would take you to court ,not to win but to cost you time.
 
I have heard lots of reports of failed backstabged devices, but I am still not clear if these failures were caused by 12 gauge wires and 20 amp circuits on old backstab devices or 14 gauge, 15 amp circuits to modern devices that do not permit 12 gauge.
 
i take pride in my my rec. hooked around the screws, i even clamp them toghter with needle nose so theres no way it will pop or jump, its my way of saying that sucker is on. i've opened rec. that look like s#$t, a little black tape around them makes me feel better also.
 
the other thing about backstabbing devices i have alot of service call espcally with the [swearing in french ] D.I.Y.'s they sometime cut the wire so short and backstab it and when i have to replace it i have to cuss for a min then make a pigtail to extend new peice of wire to hook up the devices in correct way [ i did notied that the backstabbed repecticales are more common with failure than switching devices are but both gave me sour grape taste ]

Merci , Marc
 
they have made it harder to back stab now. You have to drill out those pesky little holes in the back so you can get your No. 12 wire in there. :mrgreen:
 
celtic said:
bphgravity said:
As far as UL is concerned, "backstabbing" is completely fine:

Screwless terminal connectors of the conductor push-in type (also known as "push-in-terminals") are restricted to 15 A branch circuits and are for connection with 14 AWG solid copper wire only.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Do you have a UL link for this?
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Sure, go here and scroll down to "TERMINATIONS":

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/...n=versionless&parent_id=1073992975&sequence=1
 
charlie b wrote:
I've been backstabbed. Does that count?

Aw poor Charlie :(
If its any consolation, I've noticed that this only happens when somebody is far inferior to the one on receiving end. :D
 
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