[rjniles]

Just saw a picture in another thread where the unused screws on a duplex receptacle are left un-tightened. I see this often on pictures posted here and have found it in my own home. Is there a code issue one way or the other? The old timer I learned from insisted on all the unused screws be tightened down. I have always made it a practice to tighten them. I certainly am not a code maven but have never seen a reference either way.

 

[Jim Port]

No code rule about this. Like you I always tighten them down. This was more of an issue with metal boxes and the close fit.

 

[jbfan]

The same as Jim, most often found with back stabbed receptacles.