Don't Make This Electrical Mistake

[@michaelburke6552]

I'm a retired electrician it's nice to see someone talking about electrical work that knows WTF they are talking about. Back stab receptacles came out a few years before I retired myself and all the guys i knew thought they were crap. Thin just before I retired flow fixtures cameout with that crap. I don't see how NECA or IBEW let that crap be used must have been some pretty large pocket liners installed.🤔

[@BackyardMaine]

Thank you.. I retired a few years ago too but I enjoy making videos now rather than doing the work. lol

[@csimet]

Agree 100%. Not only do I not use back-stab (hate them), but I only install spec grade devices and they generally do not have that "feature." I use back-wire or old-school screw connections and spec-grade devices are better built for minimal extra cost... they last much longer. You get what you pay for.

[@BackyardMaine]

You have it figured out..

[@davidblain2714]

I'm a retired General Contractor in north Florida, I love the content as I would never allow a electric contractor to back stab on any structure I built... Just preventing "me" the GC from liability issues.......

[@BackyardMaine]

That's a good plan my friend. I'm retired now as well. I was an electrician and electrical engineer for 38 years. Thanks for watching.

[@VlajCo-di8lc]

Absolutely agree. We use system with less current, and we completely avoid this method. Our recrpracles are up to 16Amp and service loops are mandatory. Greetings from household 230/400V country.

[@BackyardMaine]

Interesteing! Thanks for sharing.

[@davidkelley6583]

You are a man after my own heart. That's the way I was taught, so that's how it's going to be. Old dog and old school. By the way, I prefer to pigtail, and I never use stab connection.

[@BackyardMaine]

Thank you. And thanks for watching

[@1575murray]

The outlet at 0:40 is actually a 20 amp commercial grade receptacle which features back wiring which is much preferred. The wire is securely clamped under a plate held down by the terminal screw.

[@BackyardMaine]

You are correct.. I think I mentioned that in the video.

[@The3TH1C]

14 years experience, half as service electrician. Do not backstab( unless pigtailed.)Yes code but you can always go above code, stab thrus with out pig tails can become a fire hazard, seen it multiple times.

[@jolyonwelsh9834]

I like the commercial (spec grade) receptacles with the clamp down terminals. I find they work better with stranded conductors than with solid conductors.

[@BackyardMaine]

I completely agree. Thanks for your input..

[@johncashwell1024]

Great info! I have always attached wire ends in a clockwise direction, unless left hand threaded. But, I don't think I have ever come across an electrical connection like this. Though I have had 1 or 2 instances of electronics and non-electrical wire attachments that were lefties. I know it seems obvious that the terminus end of the wire should be bent in the direction that the fastener tightens, but I have come across several that were installed in the opposite direction. I am curious if electricians see this very often or not.

[@BackyardMaine]

Thanks for you comment.. I have seen it a few times but not often. I'm sure all electricians know this and most other handymen or DIYs as well but I guess not everyone. I may make a video on the basics discussing this and other basic electrical knowledge such as what wire goes where etc. Appreciate you stopping by..

[@jimcampbell5583]

I love your videos. I'm a handyman for about 200 properties and that's a common repair for me. I replace them with the commercial quality receptacle and switch its easier to do with the power still live and I feel it makes a great connection

[@BackyardMaine]

That is awesome! I love hearing comments like yours. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@armandocarriedo9354]

Question do you have a video as to how to add electrical outlets in a garage? I only have one on one wall. Thank you again.

[@BackyardMaine]

Great idea. I’ll make a video on that real soon. Stay tuned.

[@armandocarriedo9354]

That will be great I'll stay tuned. Thanks

[@davesmith1682]

The first house I bought was full of the backstab receptacles. I discovered this when one of my outlets had no power. The installer must have had a hard time with the faulty receptacle for it to go bad on the initial installation. Makes you wonder how the manufacturers got them approved.

[@BackyardMaine]

And it only takes a few extra seconds to do it right..

[@todd5963]

I never see electrician videos using Wago wire connectors. Is it just cost? I really dig them as a diy'r

[@BackyardMaine]

I'm going to do a video on them eventually. I think for a service call electrician, handy man, DIYers they make a lot of sense. But when it comes to wiring the whole building , houses etc. cost would definitely become a factor. I think they're very handy for lighting though.

[@cirrus820travelers9]

Great value & info! Thanks for sharing.

[@BackyardMaine]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and for your comment..

[@armandocarriedo9354]

Thank you for the information. I would not do a back stab. Have a great day and weekend. Greetings from Arizona.

[@BackyardMaine]

You are welcome my friend. I’ll be wishing I was in Arizona soon when the snow starts falling here in Maine. You have a great weekend as well.

[@steveregotti8542]

Awesome stuff thanks again!!!

[@BackyardMaine]

My pleasure. Thanks so much for watching and for your kind words.

[@T3KFTW]

Very informative!

[@BackyardMaine]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching..

[@surferdude642]

I agree with everything you said. Seems like backstabbing is similar to using push in connectors and even Wago lever nuts. I'm not yet convinced that the difference is substantial.

[@BackyardMaine]

Thank you. I really need to test the wagos to see how they hold up under load. I have no experience with them.

[@surferdude642]

@@BackyardMaine I'm using Wago lever nuts for pigtails on a few receptacles, one is a 20 amp circuit, for a few years now with no issues. The loads however, are normally well below the circuit rating.

[@djryan2643]

That 20amp receptacle could work on a 20 am circuit

[@johnthefactfddict3281]

wow yeah that "backstab" connection is worthless even most wago clones have a few mm(or thou) of contact area if I had to frequently replace outlets(like in a hotel) I would use a bunch of pre-wired side contact outlets and a wago "lever nut" clone as they actually take 32A as rated and are so much faster and more re-usable than any other connector and would still speed up the process by lifting 3 levers and swapping an outlet set up in a "pigtail" way

[@BackyardMaine]

I agree.. 💯

[@smalltownMainer]

we had a light switch that was wired like that, it melted inside, i discovered it when i went to turn that switch on and it sprung back, while the switch next to it uses the screws.

[@BackyardMaine]

I'm not surprised. I have seen so many of these fail over the years some of them had completely melted the device.

[@SquirrelsForAll]

Like you, I do not care for stab-ins. Very undependable and risky.