[DeeEyeWhy]

Couple of questions:

1). When wiring receptacles with (two sets of white and brass terminals - one top and one bottom) does it matter if the IN FEED wire (Neutral/hot) and OUT FEED wire (neutral/hot) goes on the top or bottom terminal pairs? or is the voltage going to pass through to the next outlet either way?

2). Looking at the various wiring diagrams on Google I see people wire these in different ways, some use the receptacles as a passthrough for the voltage and some use a wire nut and use only one set of terminals on the receptacle instead of two. Outside of not relying on each outlet to pass-through the voltage does this 2nd method have any other benefits over the first option?

Thanks

 

[rjniles]

Receptacles are wired in parallel not series. Doesn't matter which screws you use. Either wiring method is fine and is personal preference.

 

[Oso954]

1) it makes no difference on normal receptacles. On GFCIs, you have too get the line side wires on the line side terminal screws.

2) pigtails allow 3 or more wires to be joined rather than two. Other than that, it pretty much comes down to personal preference with normal receptacles.
With GFCIs, it depends on whether you want to protect the downstream devices or not.

 

[DeeEyeWhy]

rjniles, oso954, thank you.

I used the word series, but i think I was probably using the wrong word. i am basically chaining multiple receptacles together starting at the breaker to the last switch.

Thanks

 

[joed]

In Canada wire nuts count for box fill. I always use the receptacle if only two wires are present.

 

[Arrow3030]

I use to think using feed thru splices were for hacks. I've done a complete 180 and only pigtail when specified. I also back stab every chance I get.

 

[York v45]

It may depend on the interpretation of your local authority. Here you must pigtail so that the device can be removed without breaking the circuit. Backstabbing is considered poor practice.

 

[jbfan]

It may depend on the interpretation of your local authority. Here you must pigtail so that the device can be removed without breaking the circuit. Backstabbing is considered poor practice.

Why would you want to remove the device with power on it anyway?

Poor practice is a matter of opinion. If it is code compliant, why is it poor practice?

 

[Arrow3030]

Lol York! Worst explanation of why pigtails are required. People always have excuses why their way is the best. A poor connection is going to cause problems no matter what method is used. This is why I prefer back stabs and feed thrus. Easier to accomplish; harder to botch.

 

[Jim Port]

It may depend on the interpretation of your local authority. Here you must pigtail so that the device can be removed without breaking the circuit. Backstabbing is considered poor practice.

Please cite the rule that is open to interpretation.

 

[psgama]

Back stabs are garbage in my opinion, but it depends on the receptacle manufacturer.
Wire nuts only count for box fill if there are
three of them by code.

 

[York v45]

LOL...this is why I love internet forums and usually just keep my mouth shut, too late on this one.

I spent 12 years in the trade before moving on due to physical problems. Pigtailing is the way I was taught and was standard practice for the company I worked for. When you backstab all of the current for the entire circuit runs through the first receptacle. I have removing many burned up backstabbed receptacles.

I'm not sure on the code reference and I don't have a codebook here at home. It may be the "workman like manner" catch all or I may be F.O.S.....both are possible.

It's true that a bad connection is a problem regardless if it is pigtailed or backstabbed. A well done wirenut connection will never cause a problem....a backstab can offer the potential for a hotspot.

In the USA box fill only counts wires entering and leaving a box, plus straps, plus internal clamps, grounds only count for 1 wire regardless of total number. Box fill could be a thread all by itself and probably has been many times.