ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area whats your opinion

Another vote for screw terminals... I was told when I started that the holes in the back were for homeowners... real electricians used the screw terminals

I think they are soon going to do away with the pressure type back stab devices, or that is what i have heard.

They are illegal and more so when more inspectors require torque upon all terminals. How do you torque stab-ins?

William, What is illegal?

UL still lists back stab devices for use with 14 AWG and Wagos (pretty much back stab wire connectors) are listed also.

This is not to say I like them.

How do you determine the torque on stab lock?

You don't have to determine the torque on a stab lock, strip the wire the right length, drive it in and its UL listed. Just like using a hook and the right torque on a screw terminal.

I just had a service call where back stabbed receptacles were used. Lights flickering and 2 rooms dead. I replaced the one that was causing the problem and proposed that we replace all of them with P&S spec grades and perform a complete safety check of the electrical system. Haven't heard back yet, oh well, he probably called a Handyman because he would be cheap and use cheap material as well.

Whats worse is the handyman will most likely back stab the new devices !