OK to fold wire ends to get more grip in receptacle connection?

1454 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by roger r., Jan 22, 2013

roger r.

Discussion Starter · Jan 17, 2013

Just purchased the last dryer receptacle they had in town.

What I don't like about it, is that there seems to be quite a bit of "wiggle" room since the bottom of the connection is flat. The wire in the picture is 10 gauge.

Would it be OK to fold the wire, as pictured below, to get a more positive grip?

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mpoulton

· #2 · Jan 18, 2013

I don't really know if UL or the manufacturer has an opinion on that. I have done it many times.

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Jim Port

· #3 · Jan 18, 2013

There should be no need to double over the conductor.

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roger r.

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 18, 2013 (Edited)

Thanks for the replies thus far guys.

I would be have preferred there be a "v" shaped bottom platform or an old-style basic screw connection...something with more "bite". Folding the wire would give more surface area and give more holding power.

I would just feel more comfortable doing it in this manner as it seems more solid.

Is there any safety or code reason not to fold the wire?

Would most pros just screw it in as is?

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Billy_Bob

· #5 · Jan 18, 2013

I've never had to fold a wire that size to get a good firm grip/connection. However I do that frequently with small gauge electronics wire.

And I would do that with the above too if it did not have a good strong grip on the wire - say I could pull the wire out or be able to wiggle it after it was tightened. A loose connection WILL cause trouble!

What gauges of wire does that receptacle say it can be used with?

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roger r.

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 18, 2013

Billy_Bob said:
What gauges of wire does that receptacle say it can be used with?

AWG 10-4

AL or CU 75 degrees Celsius

no mention of using solid or stranded wire

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Billy_Bob

· #7 · Jan 18, 2013

Well it *should* work with #10, however I'm finding these days that things "don't work" like they should (China manufactured stuff), so I need to modify things or fix things to get them to work...

So just another example of such a product! Bend the wire...

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roger r.

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 21, 2013

Thanks Billy.

I guess I was being a little paranoid for nothing.

Cooper is an established, well known manufacturer.

I can only assume that from the good number of views this thread has received, if something was drastically wrong or dangerous, more people would have chimed in.

BTW (for the benefit of people reading this thread) written in tiny, barely visible text on the back of the all-plastic, white dryer outlet made by Leviton, it says that 8 gauge wire minimum is to be used. So It is unsuitable for those who have their boxes wired with 10 gauge.

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Jim Port

· #9 · Jan 21, 2013

roger r. said:
BTW (for the benefit of people reading this thread) written in tiny, barely visible text on the back of the all-plastic, white dryer outlet made by Leviton, it says that 8 gauge wire minimum is to be used. So It is unsuitable for those who have their boxes wired with 10 gauge.

Stupid design flaw considering most dryers are wired with #10 copper.

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roger r.

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 22, 2013

Jim Port said:
Stupid design flaw considering most dryers are wired with #10 copper.

The warning is written so small that it fringes on deceitfulness. Probably an attempt at legal "butt-protectionism"...What? Didn't you read the fine print?

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