I just bought the house I'm living in last year. While changing out
some of the receptacles and switches I discovered that they did not use
wire nuts for wire connections in the wall boxes. They had attempted to
solder the wires and wrapped them in tape. Most, if not all of them were
cold solder joints and several inches of the wire insulation had melted
during the heating process.
Apparently the codes are not as strict outside of the city limits.
Mike - KI0HA
On 6/14/2018 15:43, Don Wilhelm wrote:
Bob and all,
Yes, those "backstab" receptacles that electricians love to use
because they are quick and easy do not have adequate contact stength
and can overheat and cause voltage drops and a fire hazard.
If I were to discover them in any house I occupied, I would pull the
wires out of the 'backstab' and put the wires under the screws. There
is nothing wrong with the receptacles, except for that marginal wire
contact in the 'backstab' contacts - change those to "under the screw"
connections and all will be well.
There are good 'strip and insert' receptacles use a clamping mechanism
tightened with a screw, and those do not have the problem.
My house is wired with #12 wire for ALL the receptacles, (lighting is
#14) but I do use the 15 amp receptacles with no problem (except in
the kitchen where they are 20 amp) - the 15 amp receptacles will not
accept #12 wire in the 'backstab' holes, so the only choice was to use
the screw terminals. I have 20 amp breakers on the receptacle
circuits, but 15 amp on the lighting.
Yes, I did it myself and the inspector had no problem with my wiring.
73,
Don W3FPR
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