Three Black/Three White/Ground Receptacle

kaalapurushha

I have been replacing outlets in my new house (The old owner painted over all of them. In fact, some covers had no screws - they were being held on by paint!), and I ran into something strange.

Most of the outlets had two black and two white wires. I am nearly sure this is part of a parallel wiring arangement in each room. However, one outlet in one room had three black and three white wires.

I haven't touched this one yet. Does this mean that this outlet has a main feed in to the room and then splits off in parallel on each side?

Jim Port

It could be what you suspect or just another branch in the circuit.

Join the 3 together with another short length of wire and wire nut the connection. Attach the other end of the pigtail to the receptacle.

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Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

joed

It depends on how they are connected.
It could be one feed in and two feeds out.
It could also be one feed in, one feed out and a switched feed to switch half of the receptacle.

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