How To Prep A Receptacle & Switch Box

[@fvrrljr]

*i paint my twist's green* photovoltaic / solar thermal technician here: i use to use the off-white ones for my grounds then started coloring them on my own projects. guess someone copied ? oh well lost that ship... having holes in them *nice* 👍 guess i'll start buying them vs painting. as daughter was growing up she'd get a kick out of me buying nail polish at dollar store. great touch up paint enjoyed you video *Cerveza For You* 🍺

[@RCHBuilders]

I remember when I started doing electrical professionally at 15 that they did not have the green wirenuts, I remember the first time using them being around 2004. Painting them green with nail polish to differentiate them was a good idea though ..LOL.

[@fvrrljr]

@@RCHBuilders *Thank You Brother IBEW 428*

[@jplieurance]

Nice explaination. Thanks.

[@RCHBuilders]

Glad you liked it!

[@omar-qe6dy]

Thanks for your time.

[@RCHBuilders]

My pleasure! Thanks!

[@mayberry5043]

Hey, I actually needed to know this. I got some plugs I need to replace.

[@RCHBuilders]

Some day soon, I will need to do a video on actually replacing a receptacle.

[@icevariable9600]

To be precise, the actual code 2023 NEC 300.14 "At least 6 inches of free conductor, measured from the point in the box where it emerges from its raceway or cable sheath, shall be left at each outlet, junction". So it's 6" from the end of the Romex sheath, which should penetrate at least 1/4" inside the box, 314.17(B)(2) "Where cable assemblies with NM sheaths are used, the sheath shall extend not less than 1/4" inside the box and 1/4" beyond the end of any cable clamp."

[@RCHBuilders]

Very much correct. I never go with the minimum.

[@mikesimpkins7919]

Nice tutorial. Thank you

[@RCHBuilders]

You're welcome. Glad you liked it!

[@danan9037]

Nice work, can i hire you? Glad you don’t do “service loops”

[@RCHBuilders]

That would depend on if you live in the area that we are licensed in! I rarely use "service loops," but always leave extra wire when doing so...I hate going to change out devices in peoples houses where the guy before left no slack to work with.

[@oxm-xv2io]

at 8:50 what if you need a Neutral for a WIFI Outlet, would you just pigtail it with the white?

[@RCHBuilders]

Yes, if the owner decided to get a switch that needed a neutral, I simply add them at the time. It keeps the box neater in the meantime, and from needing to also fit extra wirenuts inside the box if they are not needed.

[@achillies40]

Why is your earth conductor not insulated? In Australia, the Earth conductor in any cable is insulated with Green insulation with Yellow stripes. We used to have insulated earth conductors but they were phased out in the early 80's I think. We also no longer use solid core cable for the most part. Cables for power points and for lights are stranded conductors. It's interesting to see the differences in installations.

[@RCHBuilders]

This could be very lengthy, so I will probably do a video on it in more detail sometime. With residential homes being made of wood instead of metal or cinder block, it is common to use romex. In commercial however all earth ground cables are green or green with yellow strip insulated.

[@achillies40]

I would be interested in seeing the reasoning behind this. Houses in Australia , no matter what they are made from, are wired with the same cable. The same cable is used in commercial and industrial settings as well. Pretty much all cables are stranded and all the earth conductor is insulated.

[@BrettMcNary]

Because we're stupid over here in the USA and we like exposed ground wires extremely close to our exposed hot poles in the outlet box. ;)

[@surferdude642]

Don't you need a pigtail on the neutral wires in case the homeowner uses a smart switch as you mentioned?

[@RCHBuilders]

I prefer to add them at the time of the switch install, if needed, this helps keep the box neater and less cramped if not needed. Some smart switches need a pigtail, but most of them have pigtails attached that would get tied in with the neutrals.

[@surferdude642]

@@RCHBuilders I get your reasoning, but I view wire nuts as once and done, and if you need to add another wire later it compromises the joint, imo. Wago lever nuts have a distinct advantage in these cases.