How Pros Wire Receptacles in 2024 (Future Proof)

Рет қаралды 45,752

8 ай бұрын

In this episode we'll go over reliable, long lasting electrical Outlet and Switch Connection Methods. Adding or replacing an outlet or light switch in your home can be a daunting experience. But I'm here to help.
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Backyard Maine assumes no liability for damage or injury. We highly recommend using appropriate safety procedures including turning the power off or calling a professional when needed. No information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user.

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@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

Be sure to see the links and information in the description. If you like the content and want to see more of it consider subscribing to the channel. It's free and helps the channel grow. Thanks for your support! Subscribe here -- kzfaq.info

@arenta9862 Ай бұрын

Excellent thank you

@BackyardMaine Ай бұрын

@@arenta9862 My pleasure.

@tomasmerino1039 3 ай бұрын

This is what I love about the internet. Being able to listen to what someone with 40 years of experience has to say. It's nice to see the differences between our electric systems, here in Argentina our outlets are pretty different, but they're back wired.

@michaelszczys8316 3 ай бұрын

I remember back in 1970s trying to ask electricians some simple questions about wiring and they would not tell me. They would act as if their telling me any electrical information would cause the ' Great Electrical Engineer Police ' to come down out of the sky and take away any knowledge and training they possessed. Plus their job. The internet is fabulous, you can easily ask away any stupid question you might have.

@tombrennan6583 4 ай бұрын

Great information. I have found back stab connections to be the most common problem with switch and outlet failure, and I think the method should be stopped.

@danpags7023 8 ай бұрын

Excellent video to keep home owners out of trouble. Thank you for your tutorials.

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

Thank you and thanks for watching.

@jim7smith 5 ай бұрын

Excellent video. I had no idea about the back wiring method although I have not used the back stabbing method since about 1969. This of course was decades before youtube was available. I had two different circuits fail due to arcing in back stab connections, so I made a decision to never do them again. As a "handyman" instead of a certified pro, I ran across many backstab connections in the decades since, and I always redid the connection when I found them even though sometimes there was insufficient wire left to redo them, forcing me to run new wiring to replace them. Thanks for a great video. I am 76 and still going strong and learning every day. Keep up the good work.

@BackyardMaine 5 ай бұрын

Thank you my friend. I just retired a couple of years ago but not I have a new hobby making videos. lol. Turned 60 last fall.

@marcocarrillo1651 2 ай бұрын

Thank you, I learned something new about receptacles, I didn't know about those details, Thank you

@claywurzlow8487 3 ай бұрын

Simple "Thanks " for your video/clips

@BackyardMaine 3 ай бұрын

My pleasure. Thanks for watching

@jtb-southphilly 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for such excellent information. I have learned some valuable lessons from your videos. 👍

@BackyardMaine 3 ай бұрын

Great to hear! Thanks for watching

@TheBBBB0B 8 ай бұрын

Well spoken and easy to follow.

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

Thank you.

@richhansenclan 8 ай бұрын

I knew the diffrence between back wiring and back stabbing. I agree, the back stabbing method is bad. I am not an electrician but I am a 30 year DIY home owner and I have had to replaced two outlets that have failed and both of them were wired up using the back stabbing method.

@MyClutteredGarage 6 ай бұрын

Hi John. The link for the combo head screwdriver actually takes you to the wire strippers. -Ed

@BackyardMaine 6 ай бұрын

Thanks Ed. I must have screwed up with the copy paste. I'll go fix that now.

@terryt2910 8 ай бұрын

I'm glad I found you, John. Excellent videos!

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

That's great to hear. Thanks for watching and your kind words. I'm going to start posting once a week if possible. I got lazy over the summer. lol

@ericbothur6718 8 ай бұрын

Your videos are the best ..very educational.

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

Glad you think so! Thanks so much. I keep them coming. 👍

@user-em6ie2be7x 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for video you did on how to curve a wire around the receptacle's side screws.

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

It's my pleasure. I have lots of electrical content on the channel. I have a recent video on wire stripper functions that you might find helpful.

@westtexasprepper 8 ай бұрын

Great, timely video. Getting ready to wire my shop soon.

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

Glad it helped. 👍

@joselatorre1575 5 ай бұрын

Awesome training video!

@BackyardMaine 5 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@SpeakerBuilder 3 ай бұрын

The biggest problem with the back stab connection is the very small amount of surface contact area, which will obviously limit current flow, whereas there is a far greater degree of surface contact area available when the wire is properly wrapped around the hold down screw. The other big problem has to do with the limited amount of pressure applied to the wire by the contact surface, which can also lead to current flow failure, whereas again the hold down screw enables a great deal more continuous pressure applied to the contact surface, virtually eliminating connection failure. The goal is to create what is called a gas tight connection, where very few oxygen molecules exist between the metal surfaces of the contact area, allowing for maximum electron flow.

@biketothetop 8 ай бұрын

Your video is very clear and concise and helpful. Thank you for your contribution. I subscribed. It only took me one trip to Home Depot and an inspection of outlets on the shelves to understand the difference between the backstabbed connection and the back wired method. My home has backstabbed outlets. I was immediately disinterested in having those anymore because I know as a mechanical engineer that the Barb approach is not going to be as secure as a screw using clamping pressure to retain the wire. Furthermore those designs are a higher risk of having faulty Dimensions from manufacturing processing that could result in a poor connection, whereas a back wired design only relies on a simple screw head and the plates to ensure sufficient contact force. Probably the last time I did any outlet wiring was when I was in my twenties and that was 40 years ago. It was new to me to learn about the backstabbed design when I started the process of inspection after I experienced unstable and incorrect voltage levels in my 33-year-old home. When I went to Home Depot and saw the commercial grade units having a back loaded design I immediately decided that was right for me. It eliminates the need to mess with the wires from their existing condition yet provides me the ability to use the clamp load of the screw heads.

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

Thank you! Great comment as well. I try to provide value with my videos and I love hearing positive feedback for intelligent people like yourself. I'll try to keep them coming.

@GrampiesWorkshop 8 ай бұрын

How's she goin'? This is a very good video John. Excellent info and you may have prevented a home from burning down with the info you provided. Thanks and take care!!!

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

Thanks Mike.. I'm doing well I hope all is well with you my friend. I'm kind of leaning into the electrical content since it been the most popular subject on the channel. Great to hear from you.

@GrampiesWorkshop 8 ай бұрын

I worked as an industrial electrician/automation technician and I appreciate all your do and show on your channel. Great stuff for sure!! @@BackyardMaine

@Trainman0401 5 ай бұрын

Informative and to the point! Question….can I “J” wire on a commercial receptacle? Great video John! Thanks!

@BackyardMaine 5 ай бұрын

Thank you. You can but it's not easy to get the hook connected without removing the connection plate. They are really designed for a straight piece of wire. I have had great result using them as designed. As long as they are tight you should never have a problem.

@mitchellcox1912 Ай бұрын

Good information thanks.

@BackyardMaine Ай бұрын

My pleasure.. Thanks for watching.

@deadmanswife3625 8 ай бұрын

Great stuff

@deadmanswife3625 8 ай бұрын

(The video not the spray foam)😊

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much..

@lostmagicofdisney 2 ай бұрын

I did not know the difference between back stabbing and back wiring. Thank you!

@BackyardMaine 2 ай бұрын

So happy to help. Thanks for watching.

@BillyBobDingledorf 5 ай бұрын

Surprised to see you're using a Phillips head. Many DYIers already have a Robertson bit in their toolbox, which works so much better. The next step up is the hybrid Robertson / flathead, but that's probably not already in your toolbox.

@BackyardMaine 5 ай бұрын

That's not a phillips head. Its basic the same head as the Robertson but its made by Ideal. I actually like it better and have several of them. Combo Head Screwdriver - amzn.to/3NgKvCd

@BillyBobDingledorf 5 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine My bad. It is the hybrid. Just looked like a philips from the side.

@libertarian1637 Ай бұрын

Just a side note but since the NFPA-70-2017, NEC-2017, receptacles need to be installed with all connections torqued to manufacturer specification, usually this is between 12-16 in.lbs.

@GailUrge-vq6qn 4 ай бұрын

I like "back stab", "side stab" and "side hook" word terminology better.

@jameschapman3306 Ай бұрын

Good video, Thank you. Very straight forward. 😂

@BackyardMaine Ай бұрын

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

@one7decimal2eight 3 ай бұрын

Interesting. GFCI has the same connections as the backwire connections.

@danielesbordone1871 8 ай бұрын

Side wiring is better for stranded wire , for rigid wire I'd stick to the loop and screw.

@skiffmagnet2097 6 ай бұрын

I am putting in a window unit, air/ heater, uses a 6-20p , is this a 20 amp outlet?? Same as 220??

@BackyardMaine 6 ай бұрын

A NEMA 6-20P is a 20A 250v receptacle. On a receptacle like this you will have two hot wires and a ground fed from a two pole 20A breaker. There is no neutral wire.

@user-cf3wo9et8k 8 ай бұрын

Can you please explain why it is a code violation to use a 20 amp receptacle on a 15 amp circuit

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

Sure.. Because someone connect a 20A cord and plug connected piece of equipment which would overload the circuit and cause the breaker to trip. The breaker is a protective device and should only trip when there's a problem not as part of normal operation.

@skiffmagnet2097 6 ай бұрын

Do I use the top or bottom, silver and black mount screws? On the receptacle.

@BackyardMaine 6 ай бұрын

It makes no difference. They are connect through a little tab that connects the two screws and feeds each receptacle (top and bottom) of a duplex.

@jason67823 3 ай бұрын

White wire to silver, Black wire to black, if you haven't taken the tabs off, such as to make one of the outlets switched while the other remains constant hot, the positions don't really matter.

@dougguenther5518 4 ай бұрын

With commercial-grade back wiring sockets, is there ever a risk of inserting the wire too far and pinching some insulation in between the contact plates, which might prevent putting enough pressure on the copper to get a good contact?

@BackyardMaine 4 ай бұрын

Yes for sure. You want to make sure to strip the wire to the correct length. You don't want to pinch insulation in the connection because that would cause premature failure.

@thomassciurba5323 4 ай бұрын

If you ever have issues and you have back stabbed devices just go ahead and change them over to side wired. Back stabbed is a terrible idea, a problem waiting to happen and in my opinion only done by people who don’t know better or by electricians who want to save a minute or two making up the device to increase their profit.

@michaelszczys8316 3 ай бұрын

I lived in an old trailer home and all it had were cheap back stabber connections. There were no other options to the outlets. On top of that they were all wired from outlet to outlet. Lots of connections relying on a knife- edge of connection . I made sure anything that had serious amperage ( refrigerator, washer ) had newer outlets but a lot of lesser amp outlets I didn't change, such as bedrooms. One time I needed to temporarily hook up a window air conditioner and it was on a line about 5 back- stabbed connections from the power box. I was watching all the outlets in between to make sure none of them were smoking.

@_K_W 5 ай бұрын

Hey John I have one of those LED overhead lights in my house that flickers after a while when it’s on. Turning the light on and off makes it stop then it’ll start flickering again after 5 or so mins. Any thoughts? No bulb to swap.

@BackyardMaine 5 ай бұрын

I’ve had that happen but with LED fixtures and also the light bulbs as well. The electronics that feed and control the LED(s) are have a problem. When you turn it off and back on you’re essentially reboot the light. Sadly the fix is replacing the lamp or fixture.

@_K_W 5 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine Rats I figured as much. I have two of these lights in my house. I’ll do some research. Thanks

@andrewterry8092 Ай бұрын

Do you ever recommend wrapping the side wire terminals on the outlets or switches with electrical tape? My house had them wrapped by the electrician. Just curious, thank you for your awesome videos, very well explained and entertaining.

@BackyardMaine Ай бұрын

Thank you! I don't wrap the terminal with electrical tape. The tape gets hard over time and when it comes time to replace the devices it's messy and difficult. I don't even tape with metal boxes but it's probably not a bad idea especially for the DIYer.

@andrewterry8092 Ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine Thank you. Looking forward to more videos. Best wishes and good luck with the channel.

@laurawerner 8 ай бұрын

I've loved those commercial, back-wired receptacles ever since I discovered them when rewiring part of my old 1950's house about 20 years ago. They cost a bit more, but for a DIYer, they're just so easy! My only complaint about them it's that they're getting hard to find without special ordering. The Home Depot stores around here used to carry lots of commercial-, industrial-, and even hospital-grade devices. But lately they seem to have mostly residential with just a few higher-grade receptacles in the most basic types. (For example, they'll have 15A but not 20A.) Lowes is sometimes slightly better, but not much. I'm in California. Are they still easy to find where you are?

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

I find the same thing here in Maine. HD and Lowe’s had them but not the boxes of 10. I think you can order them online though and the electrical supplier has them which works for me but a DIYer would be out of luck. I lived in Sacramento back in the 80s when I was in the USAF. Still have some relatives out in the Fresno area.

@laurawerner 8 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine The contractor who's building a new shop for me is even having trouble finding some of the back-wirable stuff at his electrical supplier for some reason. Thought he usually does residential work, so maybe he just didn't know what to ask for. They did have the 3-phase load center I wanted, so I know they can get commercial / industrial stuff. I have a good friend who was stationed at Mather 2 or 3 times in the '70s and '80s, and I think he was part of the team that closed it down in the early '90s. I moved to the Sacramento area last year, after 30 years down in the Bay Area. The South Bay has gotten very crowded and congested, so now that I'm no longer working I decided to get out. And I had friends up around Sac, so I ended up here. So far I'm liking everything but the summer heat.

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

I loved living in Sacramento well actually North Highlands. I was stationed at McClellan AFB from 84-88. I went over to Mather and Beal a few times to help out with electrical problems. Yes, the summer heat is something in Sacramento but it's not humid so it's more bearable. I remember driving two hour to go skiing up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and washing my car in short sleeves on the same day. That doesn't happen here in Maine. @@laurawerner

@handyandy2112 8 ай бұрын

All 15 amp receptacles are actually rated for 20 amps current pass-thru, so unless you have something that needs the special sideways tab on the plug, just use the 15 amp outlets.

@franciscoolive3255 8 ай бұрын

Brasil show

@BackyardMaine Ай бұрын

Welcome Brasil..

@southaustinukes Ай бұрын

A question just occurred to me while watching you discussing stab connections on receptacles, which I never use. However, I *do* use some Wago connectors that use a similar push in pressure connection, though they do have the lever to increase the pressure. I assume the Wago connection is better, hopefully more reliable, less prone to pulling out (especially if you wrap with e tape to prevent the lever opening unintentionally. In the other regard, amperage capacity, I wonder if the Wagos carry the rated amperage more reliably, whether when installed correctly, or as commonly mis-installed or pulled somewhat out of the correct installation orientation. I hope it’s clear what I am getting at. So, are you aware of any testing that compares these two methods of connection, and/ or do you have any relevant subjective experience?

@BackyardMaine Ай бұрын

I have never done side by side testing. I was very skeptical when I first started hearing about the WAGO 221. From my years of experience I didn't trust stab connections on 120v. I have some testing on a well pump which is a tasking circuit for connections because the higher current, inrush, and frequent cycling. They have been connected for over a year now with no issues. I have a couple of videos where I cut open a stab connection to show why I think they are so unreliable. I have a thermal camera on order so I will be doing some comparison videos in the near future.

@FixItWithMe 6 ай бұрын

Do outlets use ecx1 or ecx2?

@BackyardMaine 6 ай бұрын

I don't have the Milwaukee ECX driver so I'm not sure. I use the Ideal 35-204 which works great for not only the receptacle and switch screws but also the box screws as well. I have a link in the description of this video to the tool. This link may work as well. amzn.to/3uNBxWV

@michaelstora70 26 күн бұрын

Are back connections or side connections better in a high vibration environment? I am doing a camper conversion of a 6WD military ambulance.

@BackyardMaine 25 күн бұрын

I would defiantly go with the side wire connections. You can use a torque screw driver to make sure you get the proper tightness. Hubbell makes a new device called the Edge Connect. They are UL listed and tested to preform better in high vibration environments than other connections. I made a video on those as well if you want to check it out. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e76RqK6T0celY58.html

@michaelstora70 25 күн бұрын

@@BackyardMaine I just want to clarify. Are you saying that J hooks are more vibration resistant than commercial grade back connections?

@BackyardMaine 25 күн бұрын

@@michaelstora70 I was saying that the J-hooks are more reliable than the back stab or quick connects you see on 15A receptacles. The back wiring connections are very reliable and a good choice especially on commercial grade devices. I think either option when done right will give you a reliable connection.

@mikemills8765 4 ай бұрын

Wired my first house with 20 amp back stab receptacles, when did the code change that allowed them? I'm guessing sometime in the 90's

@BackyardMaine 4 ай бұрын

I can’t remember but it was a while back.

@BackyardMaine 4 ай бұрын

It wasn’t that the code disapproves them. The lost their listing if I remember right so the manufacturers stopped making them

@mikemills8765 4 ай бұрын

UL listing?@@BackyardMaine

@quelikingz 2 ай бұрын

Is there a problem with backwiring an outlet that only has side wiring?

@BackyardMaine Ай бұрын

I'm not sure I understand your question. If there is no back wiring option then it won't be possible to back wire the device.. If the device offers side wiring and back stab connections then I recommend using the side wiring option.

@billb.4901 19 күн бұрын

Sorry-Off the subject, but I was watching a video on a channel “Hannah vacuums” from the UK and it appears that she plugs her vacuum in and then flips a switch on the faceplate. What’s up with that? To me it seems like that would be a good idea in the US.

@BackyardMaine 18 күн бұрын

I'm not sure but I believe all receptacles have a built in switch in the UK..

@rayraydesign 5 ай бұрын

Do you wrap electrical tape around your receptacles???

@BackyardMaine 5 ай бұрын

No I don't recommend that except for when an old work box is secured with metal clips.

@rayraydesign 4 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine Good to know! Thanks John!

@BackyardMaine 4 ай бұрын

@@rayraydesign My pleasure thanks for dropping by..

@davidberry8431 4 ай бұрын

Why oh why do they make ground screws different? Sometimes a different tool is needed. While the power wires can be pushed in and screwed - never the ground screw. But almost always won't allow 2 wires connected to it.

@BackyardMaine 4 ай бұрын

It's because the ground is the most important connection for safety.

@user-ks7dc5oy1g 7 ай бұрын

Question: If a clueless homeowner accidentally dumped water on an outdoor receptacle and it stops working and they tell an electrician about the problem and he tells them to shut off the main then remove the cover and check the wiring, wouldn't this b dangerous? No advice to use a tester to ensure the power is OFF first.

@BackyardMaine 7 ай бұрын

The power should be off and the circuit tested before anyone does any electrical work and also only take on projects that you feel comfortable with doing yourself. Sometimes hiring a professional is the best plan.

@user-ks7dc5oy1g 7 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine my exact advice to the homeowners! Thank you!!

@PatrickEArchuleta-fs8bv 4 ай бұрын

I like the screw driver you are using no info on this😢

@BackyardMaine 4 ай бұрын

I have it linked in the video description.. They are really nice.

@robertsample42 3 ай бұрын

I prefer Back wiring.I don’t like back stabbing.

@johnbrom9285 7 ай бұрын

@BackyardMaine Ай бұрын

Great point.

@Jodyrides 8 ай бұрын

for beginners??? Being an electrician is not a hobby… it’s not something you learn on Mr. Rogers neighborhood in kindergarten.. One of my favorite supporting actors, Frank Silvera, who played The bandit that killed Paul Newman in the movie hombre, he was electrocuted / killed at his home, working on his garbage disposal..

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

There are a lot of different ways to pick up knowledge. Like it or not people add and replace receptacles and switches in their homes. I give them the knowledge to do it right. But I am sure you never went on youtube to learn something that could save you some money. Maybe something like changing your brake rotors and pads?

@Jodyrides 8 ай бұрын

I appreciate what you’re doing, I am a retired electrician/HVAC tech. since I am a retired electrician, I would never encourage someone to go into an electrical project that did not have any electrical experience.. risky business.. you did answer a question I always had about the direction you mount a receptacle, ground, facing up or down. I put all mine facing down, I didn’t care what the NEC said, especially in my laundry room, and behind my refrigerator, the plug on those appliances is a 90° angle plug.. I do have a question. Lightning rod , mounted on the roof of the house. Do you ground it to your existing buried ground rods? Possibly energizing your panel board with a lightning strike? I was sitting outside with my wife one day, watching a storm approach, and we saw a lightning strike my house, it hit the cable television cable and damaged the cable box, and the HDMI port, on the back of my television.. I have been wanting to put a lightning rod on my roof grounded to something else other than my two buried ground rods that my panel board is grounded to..

@BackyardMaine 8 ай бұрын

This is what it says in the NEC. 250.106 Lightning Protection Systems The lightning protection system ground terminals shall be bonded to the building or structure grounding electrode system. Informational Note No. 1: See 250.60 for use of strike termination devices. For further information, see NFPA 780-2017, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, which contains detailed information on grounding, bonding, and side-flash distance from lightning protection systems.@@Jodyrides

@KevinCoop1 5 ай бұрын

Get your NEC and look up the definition of “outlet”. Those are not outlets. It makes a difference when you read some sections.

@BackyardMaine 5 ай бұрын

I know this and I have videos explaining it as well. But most people call them outlets so I find using that term works best.

@oldcynic6964 5 ай бұрын

@@BackyardMaine Agreed: there is no point in being _technically_ correct if your language just confuses the listener.

@Ty-os9mu 3 ай бұрын

Under no circumstance should you backstab your devices. Ever. Period.

@BackyardMaine 3 ай бұрын

I think thats what I was leading too.

@bobtosh9886 6 ай бұрын

American home. Come on! Be more aware of your audience reach!

@BackyardMaine 6 ай бұрын

91% of my viewers are from the USA and 7% are from Canada. The remaining 2% from everywhere else.

@oldcynic6964 5 ай бұрын

Unnecessary to specify "American", surely? The sort of outlets shown are not going to be found in Hong Kong or Paris, are they ?

@lucassacul2012 2 ай бұрын

Thank you, I learned something new about receptacles, I didn't know about those details, Thank you

@BackyardMaine 2 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@danielesbordone1871 8 ай бұрын

Side wiring is better for stranded wire , for rigid wire I'd stick with the loop and screw.