I have a Home Improvement for Dummies book that says that if you stick the wires in the holes in the back of the switch, it is less reliable than wrapping the wire around the screws and tighting them. But when I took out the switch that was there, the wires were stuck in the holes in the back. The house is 25 years old and I assume that is the way it was done then. I don't think the previous home owner would have changed any of the switches.
So is one way really less reliable than the other? I plan to replace more of them and my instinct tells me to put them in the way I take them out.... but that's not what the book says!
2007-01-07 04:27:36 · 7 answers · asked by bjmy1975 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
The push in wiring holes are an invention designed to reduce labor. The electrician can wire a push-receptacle a good 4 times faster than a screw fasten type. Faster converts to cheaper, which means they will sell.
The contact area in a push connection is about 20% that of a screw connection and based on spring tension. Low contact area meams more resistance- and more heat generation. Heat can mean loss of spring temper, which means more loss of contact area. The security of the wire staying in place also is reduced by these events.
The screw terminals are better and more secure, but the potential problems of push terminals relate to loads. The higher load, the more likely they are to develop problems. Push receptacles are code approved to certain load levels and installations, but then- so was aluminum wire until frequent fires made it obvious that it shouldn't be.
Most receptacles have both holes and screws, and overall push wiring hasn't produced a lot of fires or dangers. Still, I opt for safety when I wire. I occasionally use holes when I know the load will always be light, but otherwise- I use screws.
2007-01-07 05:08:10 · answer #1 · answered by spiritgide41 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I have a friend that is an electrican and I posed this same question to him and he recommeded that you wrap the wire around the screw. He says they hold better.You will need a very narrow flat tip screwdriver to remove the wire stuck in the back. Or if you have enough length of wire coming out of the box (6 inches or more, less than six, buy a narrow tip screwdriver) I would just cut the wire at base of the holes they are in. The only way I would use the holes is if I did not have room to add them around the screws, some plugs might have that many wires in teh box. That sould save some time.
2007-01-07 06:13:38 · answer #2 · answered by 1TON 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, people do "stab" the wires in the back on switches and receptacles. It saves time and inconvenience. I always wrap the wire around the screw because I want to know that it is tight. You should also "pigtail" your neutrals and grounds at least, I pigtail the hot also. Less chance of a bad connection. When you splice your solid copper wiring(it needs to be copper!) you should twist the wires with linesmans pliers so they are tight and stay together without the wirenut. Bad connections are a source of heat/fire. Also, do not touch any wire with your hands until you are sure that it isn't energized. If you haven't done this type of work before you may want to seek a trained, competent person to supervise.
2007-01-07 05:05:19 · answer #3 · answered by greg 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the switch that you took out was not an original. The book is right wrap the wire around the screws in the direction you turn the screws to tighten them (right) so as the wire pulls in not out as you tighten then wrap the area with the connections with electrical tape. ( 1 time around is ok, this prevents future possible probles and accidental shocks.)
The problem with just pushing them in the holes in the back is that they don't always stay and can come out as you push and pull the switch in and out of the electrical box.
2007-01-07 04:49:20 · answer #4 · answered by Jim7368 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
here is another vote for the screw method! i pulled out more than a few switches and outlets where the wire had worked it's way part or in one case out of the push hole!! and a wrap or two around the sides of the switch or recpticle is real good advice, too! good luck!!
2007-01-07 11:45:23 · answer #5 · answered by car dude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the book. Wraping a wire around a bolt and tightening it down just seems more secure than counting on a piece of spring copper.
2007-01-08 04:09:45 · answer #6 · answered by big_mustache 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These top 3 guys are right.......I commend you all for recommending the right way, not just the easy way!!!
2007-01-07 05:45:58 · answer #7 · answered by texasfixit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋