I'm a pro, over 20 years experience in the field, and 28 years in the electrical wholesale business. Everything you're showing your audience is spot on correct, and it's how I do it👍🏻

DIYer here who didn't realize point no 3 that the speed wiring terminal was for a one time use only. I agree, I don't trust this feature and never use it. For item 4, never noticed the hook for bending the wire around the screw. For Item no 9, after working for Underwriters Laboratories for years, I was taught that receptacles should always be installed with ground prong toward the bottom so that if a plug begins to fall out of an outlet, the ground pin will be last to loose contact. This is also the reason why the ground pin on the plug is a little longer.

Excellent tutorial! I am a DIYr and have been doing electrical for over 40 years. I started learning when I was 10 and helped my dad. He would let me do all of the switches and outlets which I would leave hanging out so that he could review my work. What you are teaching is HUGELY valuable to all DIYrs. Great job and keep up the great work.

DIY - 1. I had a custom home built years ago and the electricians oriented switched receptacles with the ground up so they are easily identified. I loved this idea as a best-practice and applied it to subsequent remodel projects I've done. Keep these great videos coming!

Pro 2. If you’re just switching half of the receptacle there’s no need to break the tab on the neutral side. Also, “speed wiring” or back stabbing as it’s commonly referred to is never a good idea, I’m glad you said that more than once, it’s worth repeating. I have been a licensed electrician for 35+ years and have repaired many overheated loose connections due to back stabbing.

A combination of 2 of these points is Switched Outlets and Ground Terminal facing Up. In a previous home, nearly all receptacles were installed with ground facing down. The exception was the switched outlets. These were installed with ground facing up so that it was instantly identifiable as to which outlet was controlled by the switch, and it was always the top outlet of the upside down or ground up receptacle that was controlled by the switch. I found that to be very cool and helpful when we moved in.

16, trade school attending DIYer here, I knew of speed wiring (and the higher danger associated with it), side wiring (the standard for my class), but had never knew of back wiring being a thing as I haven't worked with commercial grade receptacles yet. Thankyou for the new information that we haven't covered in class, I'll definitely speak with my instructors for deeper understandings of some of the concepts you spoke of in the video, thanks mate!

DIY 9. I've replaced a lot of receptacles and I always bent the shepherds hook with pliers. I thought that there must be an easier way. Thanks for showing it to me. Also, I emphatically agree about speed wiring. I lived in a house for 30 years that was totally speed wired and I had to rewire a lot of receptacles while living there. Most were malfunctioning when I moved into the house which, at the time, was only 3 years old. Thank you.

Pro. I'm a licensed electrician. I did not know about the wire stripper. I've got a new one for you to add. It's something that I started noticing often enough to think it's a real thing, but I've never heard it from any other electrician and I've asked a lot about it. I even asked all the electricians in an electrical CE class. It's regarding switched receptacles. At one point I had to do a LOT of home inspections and that's when I started putting this together. If you walk into a room with a wall switch, but there is no ceiling light, look for a receptacle that is upside down. It's easier to spot if it is grounded, but newer ungrounded versions have one "fat" blade so the receptacle is "polarized" and I've spotted them that way too. The upside down receptacle will be connected in whole or in part to the switch. If the receptacles have been changed out you are much less likely to find this. At least twice I've had a homeowner tell me that they had a switch but didn't know what it went to. I'll do a slow turn in the room and point to an outlet, and sure enough, half of it is switched. Far more often, when someone says that, the receptacles have been changed and the terminal bridge has not been removed on the switched receptacle. Another one, did you know that the terminal bridge on a 15Amp is rated to carry 15Amps? It is a code violation to daisy-chain 15Amp receptacles in 20Amp circuit by using only the side terminals for the circuit connections. You must complete the circuit using (typically) wire nut connections that include a "pigtale" the supplies that outlet, but does NOT carry the load of the overall circuit. Another one, the "ears" on the yoke of the receptacles are designed to break off so that the outlet can be mounted more "flatly" when installed in a "rework" or "cut in" box that has a flange that goes on the outside of the wall. Also, the ears used to always be round (years ago) and electricians would save them because they were free #6/8 washers useful sometimes when an old box wasn't quite flush or plumb on the front. The longer I sit here the more I think of. All outlet have some sort of wafer or disk to retain the #6 mounting screw. In the last few years you may have noticed that one of the #6 screws has a springy metal retainer instead. Screw retention is a secondary benefit of something designed for another purpose. This is a "self-grounding" receptacle. The idea is that if you have a metal box, you ground the metal box and the brass-colored spring is rated for providing the ground connection. I'm not sure I'm a fan of this feature. Just like "quick wiring" a receptacle using the barb-spring. BTW, when we find that (quick-wire) feature used, we call it being "stabbed in the back" or someone "stabbed the home-owner in the back."

Learned that when I was an electricians helper, in the 70s, went on to get my journeyman's license and then my Master electricians license, and at almost 70 years old I'm still learning, I love learning and helping others to learn more. Great field to work in , but you have to keep up with the changes.

DIY 5. Speed wiring a common issue I have come across when having to do electrical repairs of a former home owner DIYer. I suspect most of the problems are the result of failing to understand that it is a one time use only feature. Great video, keep ‘em coming.

Pro 1. Didn't know the nickel/ dime thing, but its pretty easy to tell the difference once you've worked with it for a while. Also jackets are color coded now white, yellow, orange but when I started everything was white. I've seen the thing about the built in wire stripper, but I have never tried it myself and don't know anyone who has. I was also taught that the two ears top and bottom can be broken off and used as shim washers to level the outlet to the wall. I think the ground up/down was more of a regional thing, at least 20 or 30 years ago. I like to put them ground down because some polarized wall wart type power supplies tend to unplug themselves if the ground is up.

Pro having been a licensed General Contractor and wiring hundreds of houses I wanted to comment that these videos are fantastic. For anyone whether replacing an outlet or doing inspection this is fantastic information. I recently purchased an older home (1955) build and am upgrading all of the electrical. It has been so very interesting to see all of the different ways people have wired outlets over the years! When going through apprenticeship I was trained to always put the ground down on a outlet.

DYI Dude! You just fixed my living rooms "mystery switch." My home was built in '61. We bought in' 90. No idea why the living room switch didn't work?! Now I do. I fixed it thanks to you. You are da man!

DIY. Watched my father DIY literally everything like an expert. Excellent video for me. I am changing all receptacles in house on my own as a 62yo female. Love it!

Pro with 20+ years of residential wiring and aware of 9 of the tip except for the receptacle stripping feature -- I would never suggest anyone use it. We all thank you for your well-done DIY tutorials, I would trust sending my friends and customers your videos.

I used to be a pro I went to electrical trade school and learned all this there over 30yrs. ago. It's nice to see someone informing others the right terminology. NEVER EVER USE the quick/ speed wiring I've seen them fail and cause more problems then there worth.

Pro in HVAC and Constrution while I’m not a licensed electrician- being in the fields I am for the number of years, Ive picked up a wealth of knowledge in most facets associated with most areas associated with construction. (3) stripper, bending Shepard’s hook and insulation gage. Vid was nicely done , though it did a great job of explaining all the features but kept it simple to understand for those with little experience. While I’ve been doing construction over 35 years I’m a big believer in continuous education since material and techniques are continuously changing which prevents anyone from knowing everything about everything, channels like this are great to keep up with both.

DIYer 5,6,7 - love these kinds of informational vids as well as the how-to’s. I’ve always been someone who needs to know the how AND the why. Knowing the “why” helps a lot in figuring out what to do when I run into something I wasn’t expecting.

DIY-er Trained electrician but never worked in the industry. Got into sales my whole life but my training has stayed with me all these years. I like the ground UP!

DIY for 50 yrs. I am an electronics tech, retired, so I have always been comfortable around things electrical. I have worked with some high voltage that will fry you quickly if you're not careful. 3 things I learned from the video: Starting the hook in the wire using the outlet itself to start it; never use the speed wiring (I don't); and turning over the receptacle to indicate a switched outlet. Well done video, clear and informative. BTW, I have a hard time getting the receptacle to release wires that have been plugged into the speed holes. Difficult to find a tool that will fit in there well. I know you can cut them off, but often there is already barely enough wire.

I had a previous homeowner backstab a pigtail off of a GFCI. He used the wrong stripper size and eventually the hot wire broke at the surface of the hole, but it still touched enough to deliver current with a much higher amp pull. The pigtail fed my refrigerator outlet, high amp and constant start/stop. My electrical bill was much higher than my neighbors with similar family size. After a very long troubleshoot of the whole house I found that flaw. My electric bill dropped $70 a month just from that one repair. I assumed it may have damaged the refrigerator so I replaced it and saved another $20 a month after that.

DIY 6. Never knew the little hook to help bend the wire around the screw. Very helpful. Also didn't know that backstabbing was a no-no. Very helpful. Thank you!

DIY-1 Calling the thing on the wall an "outlet" is proper and descriptive. In the same sense as calling the power connector on the back of your computer is an "inlet". Love your videos.

DIYer 2 and 8. I’m a maintenance technician at a children’s hospital and always have my ground up on metal boxes because if the outlet cover becomes loose from use it trips to ground immediately. Great video, thanks for making it.

Pro 1 didn’t know about the wire stripper. But then I’ve only been doing it for 48 years, lol.

First, loved this video. I wasn't going to comment until you told us many people are asking you "why you don't call these receptacles." I'm a DIY electrician that started when I was 12 and now I'm 67 and I have never called them receptacles, only outlets. Here's my logic on that being the electricity is coming out of the outlet not receiving it, therefore it is an outlet versus an inlet. Then I went to Home Depot and Lowes to see what they are called there and 90% of the time they are called "outlets", so I'll stick with outlet myself. Thanks for the screwdriver link. The whole time I watched the video I was trying to figure out what it was.

DYI 8, now... was in new construction, residential, for about 5 years 30+ years ago. Never did any electrical work. This is a great info video! You have removed a lot of unwanted "fears" of the basic with electricity. Thank you. I am now a subscriber. Great job!

DIY 3. When I replace outlets, I do ground down, unless it's a switched outlet. Those I do ground up, so they are easily identifiable

PRO 1, Almost 30 years of wiring and I never heard of the "nickel-dime" sizing technique. That will be very useful for my customers. Thank you for that! FYI it's not just a receptacle, it's a DUPLEX receptacle! Great video!!!

Great job explaining. As a "pro" and HS instructor, I teach ground up. The reasoning came from a Leviton rep who explained that if either the plate was loose or the plug was loose in the receptacle, you are not exposing the hot spade. Also, the ground socket does not crack with the mass of the middle of the receptacle, supporting a three-pronged cord unlike if you installed ground down. I think we all have seen a lot of receptacles with the bottom of the ground socket broken away due to a loose or heavy cord\plug.

DIY. 4. Thanks for all your great videos. Your number 9, ground up or ground down. I’m glad you mentioned that one. I replaced a garbage disposal and the replacement I purchased was a better disposal but required me to install an electrical outlet to plug it in under my sink where the original didn’t plug into an outlet. A couple years after installing it I noticed I had installed the receptacle ground up and the builder had installed all other outlets in the house ground down. I had it on my to-do list to switch it around but it sounds like it’s not necessary if it’s not code and it’s an outlet that really isn’t seen anyway being inside a cabinet under the sink.

I am a DIY electrician. In '03 I confered with a state inspector to see how much of my shop I could wire myself to save a huge amount of money. He said I could do it all myself as long as it was done correctly and to code. I had studied a few books on semi-advanced wiring situations and mapped out romex runs, switches and outlets. When I was almost done, I called for the inspector to come check my work. He pointed out a few simple things that needed corrected. Three weeks later, I called him back. His comment to me was for an amature I had done a first class job. In fact better than some licenced pros. I made sure the breaker box was clearly labled as to where the wires would go. After they hooked up my power, a neighbor came over to ask me to wire up his hot tub. I had to refuse because I was not a qualified electrician and I didn't want to get into trouble. I think I have known about most of these things regarding duplex outlets. And I always side wire for safety. Bob

I replaced 6 outlets in 3 rooms that had mystery switches. Now they work correctly! My wife is so excited I figured it out. She just doesn't understand it took me 30 years to do it. I blame beer.

Oh BTW! The part about guides on actual outlet was THE BEST! I would spend so much time trying to make the perfect "hook" not knowing how to make perfect one is on the outlet!!!! BRILLIANT INFO for DIY-ers. I'd have whole house done by now if I'd known!!!

67 year old female, DIY... Right now, there is an electrician (son's father in law) at my home doing some work. My husband and son were quite impressed that I knew most of what you were demonstrating. I tried to show them on a receptical, but, they made me google it to prove I didnt make it up! Thank you for backing me up! Great video!

This video was not for Electricians, but for the common individual. I thought that you did a great job.

I’m a 74 year old woman who is trying to learn all I can. I am so glad that you are providing this information. Thank you!

DIY guy here. knew most of this but you pointed out the fine points that make me confident I have done it properly. About 3 things I did not know at all like the built in stripper and leviton recepticals

DIY 2. Have been for 30+ years and I want to thank you for your videos. Point #3 about speed wiring the receptacles only once. I have never used that feature but it is good to know.

I'm a DIY'er for over 50 years and knew all of what you spoke of. Nevertheless, this was a very concise and well explained video, great job. One more fact worth mentioning is another difference between the standard duplex and decor styles and that is the lack of a center screw hole on the front of the decor outlet. Having a center hole, which usually holds the trim plate on, is a necessity when attaching external receptacle expansions, whether it's to increase the number of devices that can be connected or in combination with night lights and USB outlets. Using the center hole screw that comes with most of these will help ensure they stay firmly attached when unplugging power cords.

DIY 2 - Wasn't aware of the stripper, nor the nickel/dime wire gauge technique, though I've been around enough to differentiate between 12g and 14g by sight/feel. Nice video. Thanks!

DIY, 1 - I didn’t know that speed wiring was a one-and-done feature. Your showing the inner workings and explaining why was very helpful and will make it stick!!!

I'm a DIYer. With many years in remodel and home repair, I knew all this, sort of, but it sure is good to have it explained again. Keeps my edges sharp. Thanks.

DIY-4. The built-in wire bending is a GREAT one that I had no idea about. That would have saved me a ton of time. Thanks!

I’m a master electrician/contractor with 21 years in the trade. The reason that receptacles are sometimes “upside down” in hospitals is in case the cord end plugged into the receptacle wasn’t fully engaged and the metal face plate came loose, it would rest on the ground prong of the cord end, rather than on the hot and neutral prongs of the cord end and trip the breaker, on a piece of life support equipment. More importantly, Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and was crucified for our sins and raised by the Father on the third day as it is written in the scriptures. He was seen by over 500 people after being raised from the dead. He is the only way to the Father.

DIY 3 Regarding whether the ground should be up or down, whenever I’ve seen a right angle plug, it’s designed for the ground down position. Another item to consider is whether the ground should be to the left or the right when receptacles are installed laterally.

DIY 2. Great presentation wish videos like this were available 20 yrs ago when I was doing a lot more DIY projects.

My house does ground down except for switched receptacles - they are ground up so it is easy to tell that they’re a bit different.

DIY 7. Ground down makes more sense when you have a plug with the big rectangular transformers, as upsidedown they aren't very sturdy in the receptacle and tend to fall out.

Pro 0 .. GREAT VIDEO .. 40 years experience. 1. I would say NEVER use push in wiring ESPECIALLY with 4 wires in the outlet as heat can cause the spring clip to fail causing burning (which can happen anyway). 2. Most builders will flip the ground connection UP to denote the switched outlet in the room. Like I said GREAT VIDEO! I found it Very informative for the DIYer .. Keep up the Great work

home DIYer. knew 3 of these. I've tried to stay away from electrical because it's clear that I don't know a lot. Every video I watch on it, I learn something new that I never would have realized was important.

I’m a DIY’ER and I thought I knew pretty much everything about wall “receptacles” there was. But you taught me some more new things that I did not already know, that I needed to know. Thank you very much. Now I also have learned how to add “receptacles” anywhere I need one. Been needing an extra couple, too. Makes me happy to learn new things.

DIY - 3 I was always taught “Ground end down”. When I wired my house, I did a bunch of research and found that the ground side should be up due to safety concerns (e.g. metal plate touching the ground first). After living in the house for a short period of time, I regretted not following my training. I found that all of the low-profile, 3-pronged plugs were designed for “ground end down”. When plugging these wires into my receptacle, the wire went up and then looped back down, due to gravity. The causes extra stress on those cables and resulted in premature failure. I have actually rotated the receptacles in the common places that those 3-pronged plugs are used (e.g. by the bathroom sink). But now I have some receptacles with ground up and some with ground down, and that, my friend, drives me crazy!!! 😖😖😖 Thanks for the video!

Diy and just replaced all 82 switches and receptacles with the Decora and every room has at least 1 USB lighted receptacle and even though it was expensive it's great to have a lighted, USB in every room and including the 3 bathrooms with also a lighted GFI. I would like to see more of what's available including smart receptacles and switches today. It has really improved the look over the old Ivory toggle style switches that was built in 1995. Great job on your videos

DIYer for about 40 years - I knew 5 and learned about the other 5 in this video. I love your videos and always learn something new. Thanks!

DIY 4. BTW, I like ground up to indicated it's a switched receptacle.

DYI here for about 50 years. Several years ago I was a new home warranty technician and later a draftsman/designer for a residential builder. I have always done my own home wiring including repairs, additions, etc. Was nice to learn a couple extra things about receptacles. Thanks for the video. The review of the other items was nice too.

DIY 9 - Beginning to do more and more DIY projects. Especially scary, venturing into the electrical wiring realm. Project 1, replace all fluorescent fixtures with LED fixtures. Long overdue. Just found your channel, EHR! Watched several videos. So clear, concise, and applicable to the things I need to learn. Thank you!

I thought I knew almost everything about doing this stuff. Scott you taught me some things! I have been doing all aspects of repairs for some 50 years commercially. Thanks!

I’m a DIY’er, but I have no idea how I wound up here. I was watching space related videos- but hey, your videos are getting recommended! Watched the whole thing and I only knew one.

DIY 2. I would LOVE for you to share the dangers of "daisy chaining", especially with speed wiring. Most people don't understand how dangerous a fire hazard it is. Pigtails only. In my house, every Outlet I rewired I changed to a Decora Outlet. That way I could instantly tell whether I had fixed the outlet or not.

DIY'er here. Just found your videos and they are very informative. Thanks. As far as whether to call them outlets or receptacles, maybe it depends upon your perspective. "Outlet" is appropriate since the device dispenses, or is a source of, electricity. "Receptacle" is also appropriate in that it receives connectors from electrical appliances and equipment. As a toddler I stuck a bobby pin in one and my parents said it rattled me. A buzz by any other name hurts just the same. Pardon my Shakespeare.

Thanks for all the info. always great videos. I am DYI 3 . But i did not know anything about electricity, wires, and receptacles. I am learning every day thanks to your videos and tutorials.

As someone that has used various electrionic devices over the years with transformers that plug into the wall, ground down is what you are expected to have. My house has gound up and it makes plugging some things in not work well, such as heavy duty UPS systems that have plugs designed to run partly along the wall are very annoying to use when the cord is going up instead of down

DIY 7, I’ve done a few small electrical repairs in my home, but watching and learning here makes me feel more confident doing more - really enjoying your diy-er videos!

DIY 1. Didn't know that bit about making the hook. I've watched almost all the Mike Holt videos, so I've learned a fair amount about wiring. I replaced all the outlets in the house with TR and generally buy the Commercial TR outlets. My current project is working a new 20A run to the PC with Dual Function Breakers and Hospital Grade outlets. That 2000VA UPS can really put a load on. Next is replacing Laundry Room with Dual Function breaker. I'm going to go by writing on Outlets and put them Ground Up if noted that way.

Old DIY semi pro I got all 10 correct. But Im old 79 years been there done that. The old cloth tape you referred to on another video. Was/is called Friction Tape we would wrap the wires together then solder them together wrap with multiple layers of friction tape and then finish it with a coding of orange shellac. I’ve done many hundreds of connections like this.. generally all were in boxes although years ago, they did not use boxes all the time.

DIY - Learned 4 things. Using nickel/dime to determine wire size, tab on side for switched outlet, using groove to bend my j hook, concave front to guide plug into slots. I have a bunch of receptacles to replace & I'm going to try the bending thing. That was the most useful tip. Thanks.

My dad added several outlets in each bd-rm and also had a couple of them connected to a wall switch. He has the ones that go to the switch with the ground up, and the others are ground down. This makes it easy to know which are going to the wall switch. He was a brilliant man.

DIY 3...but still enjoyed watching start to finish! Superb channel; so glad I found you! Thank you for doing this,

DIY 2. Wasn't aware of the "hook" on side wiring to bend the wire around the screw, and did not know about the wire stripper feature that I doubt I would ever use. Great video.

DIY 3 - In my region it was common to wire receptacle ground down "unless" it was a switched outlet whereby the Electrician wired ground up for identification. I was very appreciative of this in my last home. Some people get around using the Leviton brand by calling them Decorator.

When I was wiring my garage, ESA made me install up quoting safety. Since we plug/unplug with thumb on top, if it touches the ground there is no problem where with ground down, you could contact the hot. I prefer ground down since I'm used to it

DYI 3 wire stripper and nickel and dime trick. Most importaltly I learned not to reuse the fast wiring outlet. I have done that a number of times and the wire seemed snug but it could have been weakened. Gradually learned the other things over 60 years of home repairs. Great presentation

1 month of my apprenticeship and I'm a 33 year old looking to learn a new trade and electrician is my dream job I love it , thanks for the info helped me a lot

Pro 1. That using the outlet to bend the wire in the side post was a amazing piece of information thanks

Speed wiring is called “back stabbing” in my neck of the woods. Many electricians (myself included) will simply not speed wire.

DIY 10 I am brand new to home repairs and your videos have been amazing so far, I feel I am learning so much!

Pro Perfect Score! Outlets facing down traditionally mean a switched outlet. Of course mostly only pros know this, so obviously there are many installations where that trade esoterica isn't followed.

Pro 3. Nickel trick (although I’ve done so much I intuitively know the difference 14-12. Flat vs concave. Wire stripping function of mounting. Don’t think I’ll ever use it. Instead of using the tab on the outlet to form the crook I use the hole near the fulcrum of the strippers. For me much quicker. Great video. Please keep ’em coming. Doesn’t matter how long we’ve done it or how smart we are we should and can still learn something new every day.

Experienced electrician and design engineer here and you have a great video here. Pro-0 level (knew all about these receptacles but always look to learn something new).That nickel dime thing is kinda cool. Thanx for that. I wanted to fill you in though about that "quick" wire hole method and why to not use it. If you use that to wire, you run the risk of connection failure and cause arcing and could cause a fire with it. That connection is illegal in a lot of jurisdictions and if you're in one and that caused the fire, your insurance won't pay off. As oft times it happens, people overload receptacles which cause heat. That heat causes that connection to deform and takes away the spring pressure of the tab. It will eventually fail as a connection and often arc. I've seen wires pull out of those connections on their own and cause a fire. Just put the extra time to make good connections. The life you save could be your family and it could save you a whole lot more trouble getting that insurance payment for your fire loss.

DIY’er 3. A couple of things, I always assumed that outlet and receptacle were synonymous and meant the same thing. I also had no idea that there were little hooks that helped you bend the wires when side wiring! Very helpful! I don’t think you mentioned it in this video, but a different one - I always though that the ears were there to be bent back against the box to help push the outlet forward when the box is set too far back into the wall (old home). I didn’t know there were official spacers to help move the box forward! Thanks for the videos!

I am a DIY R and I appreciate all of you are really important basic. An advanced knowledge. I came on here today needing to replace a receptacle and I want to make sure I do it right. I still am looking for the video that shows. This receptacle being used. As a Carrier to another outlet in a different room in my house. I'm thinking after watching all of your videos that I need to remove the middle conductor that connects both screws together. it would make sense to me when going fro. Maybe not now that I think about it. I guess I need to leave that. Transference type piece of metal between the 2 screws. If i'm going from one lot with to another

DIY 3. I prefer ground facing down since that's what practically all power bars, UPS and other stuff with flush plugs are designed for, otherwise the cable shoots up and that puts unnecessary extra stain on everything.

ALSO...those little rings (looks like mouse ears) are scored so they can break off easily. They are like washers, and can be used as spacers to help position the outlet flush with the wall if the box is set in too far.

DIY - I didn't know anything about outlets before watching your video, but I learned a lot. Thank you.

DiY 1-10. I have done a few things myself but this was awesome info. I kinda new a few things but didn't fully understand them. I have a home built in the 50s and have 6 switched ungrounded recepticles that won't hold in a plug. Not ready to do it myself but at least I know how to explain what I need done. Thank you.

DIY (but father was a senior field engineer for GE). I learned something from every one of the ten things. Thank you!

DIY 2. I recently rewired my older home from two-conductor to three-conductor wiring. The metal box for the receptacle is small so rather than crowding a pair of #12 wires in daisy-chain, I added a junction box in the basement, and thus only the "pigtail" needed to be pulled into the receptacle box. The inspector had no problem with that.

DIY 6. Although I've wired an entire inlaw apt with full kitchen, bath, all electric heating and hot water in addition to remodels and decades of other work to code under other Electrician's Licenses, I am fascinated by the simple things I didn't know. Thank you for the Education! Especially the nickel/dime where I typically use sight, using the receptacle to make the Shepard's hook rather than a needle nose pliers, the taller receptacles that I would use for instance behind furniture where it would be difficult to plug in a device and the wire stripper.

As a DIYer I knew of about 7 but many details where new and helpful. Also I was taught to put them in ground down unless attached to a switch for easy identification.

Former pro. Knew all of these except the Eaton stripper. I don't think those were around back when I was working though. We always stocked Leviton. I was trained that receptacles should be installed ground up so as not to expose the hot and neutral to falling objects if the cord end was loose, but we typically installed them ground down because that is how most customers preferred them. Another point is to make your hooked end so that it starts on the left and goes around clockwise so that the hook tightens as you tighten the screw. Also, for the reasons you stated, I never "back-stab" a receptacle.

Pro. I got another. The black side goes on the "Gold"/brass-colored screws and white on the silver ones. edit: Decided to put quotes around the word gold and add brass. I know it's brass. I just put what the common person would call it.

67 yr old NBW (never before wirer!) Thank you for you videos. It has taken the fear out of wiring for me. Any time I can avoid being taken advantage of financially, by a 'good ole boy' who wants to charge me $125. (for cranking his truck!) I will attempt a diy! Bless you!

I'm a DIY and I did learn about the tab that helps you make a nice turn to your wire. I would not use it because I find that the end is a little bit too long for me. But I'm happy to know. I also hate fast wiring connection and I think that it should never be used. What I found the most interesting was the inside of the receptacle and why it is unsafe to re-use the fast connection. It should be clear for everybody now why it should be avoid. Thanks, great explanation. I thought you would have talked about the ECX screwdriver which I recently learn that it exists. Also, about the receptacle side: I think it should be seen as a face with 2 eyes and a mouth, simply because most 90 degree extension and power cord has its ground at the bottom.

The coolest part of this video is that flat/phillips hybrid screwdriver!

Pro, 1. Besides their use for (half-switched) "outlets", a common usage is on a residential kitchen receptacle that the dishwasher and garbage disposal are plugged into. Only the hot side link is removed. A three conductor + ground "romex" cable, typically 14 gauge is used, with the neutral connected as normal at the distribution panel and each hot wire (black and red) wired to a to 2 pole circuit breaker with each pole connected to opposite sides of the 240 volt / 120 volt hot bus rails.

DIY 5. I will use this info. Excellant information that I can absorb as I sit here sipping a cold one with one hand while the other grabs a handful of chips!! Thank you!!!

DIY 1 The wire stripping thing I was never taught. And while I'm a DIYer my grandfather's a master electrician who owns his own company and I've helped on a couple projects. In regards to ground up or ground down orientation where I'm from ground up typically means a switched outlet