[Poppy1234]

I'm switching out our old cream light switches for white ones. On the new light switches, you can secure the black wire under a side plate by winding the associated screw. There are two side plate/screw combos on each switch (in addition to the ground one). What's confusing me is that there are two slots under each plate/screw combo that you can slide the wire into. One side looks simple while the other sides as an additional tiny tab. Photo of this is attached with arrows showing the two slots.

If I wanted to, can I make a shephard's hook and hook it onto the screw instead? I would prefer to use the slots though since it's easier.

Also, the wiring is two blacks and a bare copper wire. Does it matter which gold side screw/plate combo the black wires are terminated to? It seems like it doesn't but just want to make sure.

 

[brric]

Either spot is fine. Grounding conductor is wrapped in the wrong direction.

 

[seharper]

Your right arrow actually points to the guard that separates the two grooves. The grooves are symmetrical. Use either one, or both.

Double check that your receptacle's instructions *actually say* you can do this.

Torque HARD and to spec. You're supposed to have a torque screwdriver when doing electrical wiring post-1917, but, aren't we all It should survive a spirited pull test.

 

[Poppy1234]

I re-uploaded a photo of the left side screw/plate and right left side screw/plate so you can have a better view of the 2 screw/plates combos and each of their associated slots (2 per screw/plate combo). The plate portion of the two slots for each plate don't look symmetric on both sides to me. It's a leviton switch. The instructions only say to put the wire behind the plate and screw down the screw. Still ok to put the wire on either side of each plate?

 

[Nealtw]

Looks to me like you can put 2 wires behind each of them.

 

[Poppy1234]

I thought you weren't supposed to put two wires under one screw?

 

[Jim Port]

The clamp is made for two wires. The clamp plate is holding the wires, not two under the same screw head stacked against the threads.

 

[chetwisner]

In the latest pic you uploaded, it looks like the Black wire is placed in a backstab-like position. If it is, it should be taken out and placed under the clamp. And yes, this particular switch allows for two wires to be placed under the clamp.