ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues outlets

George Little, and others, what is your feeling about feeding through using the clamp-style back-wire feature on some of the better receptacles? My intuitive impression of these is that they are more secure than a wire-nutted connection. What do you think?

(My question is regarding non-multiwire circuits; one is obviously required to nut the neutral on multiwire ciruits.)

I personally like the clamping stabs the best of all. Leviton Pro-grade and GFCI receptacles have them.

Solarpowered, I like them too, but I have noticed some of the pressure clamp style connections have a tedancey to loosen as you roll the devise and wires into the box. (On solid wire that is, the wire is not always round, and as the divise goes back, the wire turns to a point that has less contact on the terminal.) Unless you kanda over-torque them with an impact gun. Release the trigger before the device disinigrates.

My choice would be the screw / plate type connection. Of course any connection is impacted by workmanship and the mechanics of folding the wires behind the device when it is installed in the box. I do think the screw only connection can loosen easier when the device is installed.

From George
" Of course any connection is impacted by workmanship and the mechanics"

I like the way you said this, it should be said every time someone mentions 'what if'.