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Author Topic: Tapped Out  (Read 13170 times)

Jonathan Johnson

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Re: Tapped Out
« Reply #20 on: July 31, 2015, 07:34:01 PM »

On a slightly more serious note;  Mike, what is your opinion on the "waterproof" wire nuts.  I've used them on my sailboat but I see them in the hardware stores as if they were an improvement for home wiring.

You cannot seal water out. But you sure can seal it in. Waterproof all you want to keep the water from getting in, but for goodness' sake, leave a way for water to get OUT.

That's why in outdoor boxes I always orient the wire nuts so the opening is DOWN.
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Tom Bourke

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Re: Tapped Out
« Reply #21 on: July 31, 2015, 08:04:50 PM »

Especially in things like putting two duplex outlets in a box as opposed to using both terminals and the tie bar.
Is the tie bar not permitted for pass threw?  What about the screw down back wire outlets where the two wires fore each outlet share a common plate?
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Stephen Kirby

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Re: Tapped Out
« Reply #22 on: August 01, 2015, 01:07:55 AM »

My understanding is that you're supposed to put two short pigtails into a wire nut and run each to it's own duplex.  Maybe this has been updated.
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Steve M Smith

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Re: Tapped Out
« Reply #23 on: August 01, 2015, 04:03:46 AM »

I still can't believe that your wire nuts are considered to be an acceptable method of connection!


Steve.
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Jeff Bankston

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Re: Tapped Out
« Reply #24 on: August 01, 2015, 04:28:58 AM »

I still can't believe that your wire nuts are considered to be an acceptable method of connection!


Steve.
I'v ben a commercial electrician for over 20 years and wire nuts are a much betterconnection than screw connections. i use wire nuts on my roadrace mustang because they dont vibrate loose. i have come across many loose screws on commercial jobs in earthquake california. wire nuts twist the wires and the tapered spring cuts tiny threads into the wires. it can be a mutha to get wire nuts off. i cant believe you guys dont use wire nuts.
« Last Edit: August 01, 2015, 04:31:34 AM by Jeff Bankston »
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TJ (Tom) Cornish

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Re: Tapped Out
« Reply #25 on: August 01, 2015, 07:05:25 AM »

My understanding is that you're supposed to put two short pigtails into a wire nut and run each to it's own duplex.  Maybe this has been updated.
One wire per screw is fine, and if the device has a clamping plate, each screw has facilities for two wires. Passing the hot and neutral on to the next device using these means is standard procedure.  Ground wires require pigtails and a wire nut, however, as there is only one ground screw per device.
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Steve M Smith

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Re: Tapped Out
« Reply #26 on: August 01, 2015, 08:23:25 AM »

i have come across many loose screws on commercial jobs in earthquake california. wire nuts twist the wires and the tapered spring cuts tiny threads into the wires. it can be a mutha to get wire nuts off. i cant believe you guys dont use wire nuts.

Does your wiring have multi strand conductors?  Ours are solid copper which I don't think would work with wire nuts.



Push fit connectors are becoming popular here.  They used to be used internally in light fittings and some other equipment.

https://www.connexbox.com/index.php?source=adwords&gclid=CODDlOjxh8cCFaPnwgodxWMGDw


Steve.
« Last Edit: August 01, 2015, 08:32:06 AM by Steve M Smith »
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TJ (Tom) Cornish

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Re: Tapped Out
« Reply #27 on: August 01, 2015, 08:30:37 AM »

Does your wiring have multi strand conductors?  Ours are solid copper which I don't think would work with wire nuts.




Steve.
NM/Romex used for branch circuits up to 30A in residential construction is solid, just like your picture.  Wire larger than #10 is nearly always stranded.  THHN wire used commercially is usually stranded.  Wire nuts work fine either way, but you need to use the right size wire nut.
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Steve M Smith

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Re: Tapped Out
« Reply #28 on: August 01, 2015, 08:36:11 AM »

I'm sure they're fine. They just 'don't look right' if you're not used to seeing or using them.

The most ridiculous connection I have seen was the power to the shed in my previous house which was 'installed' by the previous owner.  A few weeks after I moved in, the power in the shed started flickering then eventually stopped working completely.

I was intending to move the shed and when I did, I dug up the buried cable which was solid conductor 2.5mm intended for internal use.  Half way along its length was a join.  The wires had just been twisted together, taped up and buried in the earth.  No wonder it failed!


Steve.
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Tom Bourke

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Re: Tapped Out
« Reply #29 on: August 01, 2015, 09:45:33 AM »

Push fit connectors are becoming popular here.  They used to be used internally in light fittings and some other equipment.

https://www.connexbox.com/index.php?source=adwords&gclid=CODDlOjxh8cCFaPnwgodxWMGDw


Steve.
We have "back stab" outlets kind of like that.  They suck.  They only use a little spring to bite into the wire.  Run any current on them and they heat up and fail, some times very badly.  I will only use side wire or back wire where the screw clamps down.  Wire nuts are spring loaded as well but they use wire to wire contact and the spring is just to keep that connection from loosening.
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Re: Tapped Out
« Reply #29 on: August 01, 2015, 09:45:33 AM »


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