[Poppy1234]

While swapping out a light switch, I noticed a tiny nick on the ground wire just past where it is looped around the green ground screw. It looked tiny and nonsubstantial so I chose to ignore it. Well..right after I screwed the two black wires on, I saw that the ground wire snapped in half where that tiny nick was! I've changed a few light switches now and mostly cut out nicks with the wirecutter but did leave a some tiny ones on a few wires since they looked so small. Is this a big deal??? Are all my wires going to snap in half later???

Also, I noticed that if I wind the screw really tightly onto the underlying wire, it scrapes the wire and flattens that part of it a little. I don't get how I can avoid that while still securing it tightly. Is it at risk for any issues like the above? Ugh!!!

 

[chandler48]

If they snap off while you are fiddling with them, redo the connection. If they are intact when you install the switch, it is unlikely they will ever snap, because there won't be any movement to cause them to snap. Just how much pressure are you putting on your screws to cause the wire to flatten out? You don't need to do that. Just secure them tightly, but not over tight.

 

[Jim Port]

Do you have aluminum wiring?

 

[dmxtothemax]

Ditto !

Too tight !

 

[Poppy1234]

I believe they are copper wires.

I think a better way of describing it would be the nail is creating a groove on the wire when I tighten it. Everywhere I read everyone emphasizes the screws need to be screwed on really securely. I've been cranking it as much as I can until it just won't screw down any more. Too much? Is it ok to leave these grooves in the wire under the screw or do I need to go and cut them out and redo them?

Are tiny nicks on the wires ok?

I have a baby at home so I'm freaked out about an electrical fire if they're not done right.

 

[chandler48]

What nail? Can you post pictures of these nicks and compressions so we can see what you see?

 

[Oso954]

You need to get hold of a torque screwdriver and torque the screws to mfg recommendations.

The required torque may vary between mfg’s, but they are all pretty low torque when you are working on a branch circuit. As an example, Torque for Leviton residential devices (switches/receptacles) is 12-14 INCH lbs. For the commercial grade 20 INCH lbs. (yes, inch lbs not foot lbs)

It’s a lot less than most people think it is.