Had a light switch go bad

[930dreamer]

Light switch broke in a spare bathroom, that's a first for me. Finding a single pole switch in almond left little choices but I found one. I get back to the house and notice the house wire won't even fit in the stab connector on the switch. I made a loop and all is good.

 

[raco232]

I had one that went bad a few years back. I also had to replace it, but it was a white one.

 

[nh_yota]

Oh the humanity!

 

[930dreamer]

Yes it was a rough time there.

 

[rlitman]

...I get back to the house and notice the house wire won't even fit in the stab connector on the switch. I made a loop and all is good.

Back stabs are only made for 14 gauge wire. A long time ago, you might be able to cram a 12 in there, but not any more.

Anyway, back stabs are evil.

 

[Shiftless]

Back stabs are only made for 14 gauge wire. A long time ago, you might be able to cram a 12 in there, but not any more.

Anyway, back stabs are evil.

I agree with rlitman
Let’s expand on the “evil”...

Those back stab style receptacles are the sources of many problems not the least of which is loosening up over time to become a source of overheating and even fire. You definately don’t want fire inside your walls.
Personally, I use the type of outlets that have screws on the side which tighten clamps that grip a straight piece of wire inserted from the back of the device. To me, that saves time and the aggravation of forming a tight loop and getting it properly tightened down under a screw.
And the devices made with that feature seem to be better made internally and not prone to wearing out.
Of course there are millions of those other under a dollar each devices that are in service and have not failed. “ Your Mileage May Vary”

 

[b-boy]

I replaced a back stab a few months back when I removed some old BX.

When I pulled off the cover, the neutral wasn't even attached anymore. It still worked, so it was completing the circuit somehow.

Pretty scary.

 

[tyme2par4]

My house was built in the 70's and every switch and outlet used those stupid back stab connectors. The old ones apparently could accommodate #12, but the new ones are not allowed to.
I've replaced just about every switch and outlet in the house at this point, and properly wired them using the screw terminals, or the back-wire spec-grade outlets where I had 3 wires in the box.