Speedy Petey
Well-known member
WHY are you working on it live in the first place???
Outlets series OK or parallel necessary
- Thread starter machsnell
- Start date
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
OK, but what in the world does this have to do with wiring receptacles?
I think Wylie and myself have made our points.
Wylie (correctly) pointed out an error I made (which I acknowledged).
What this has to do with wiring outlets is that in old homes, if a side-wired connection or back stab connection fails, other outlets fail (at best) or you can send 220v downstream (at worst)!!!
If you use pigtails, this can't happen.
What this has to do with wiring outlets is that in old homes, if a side-wired connection or back stab connection fails, other outlets fail (at best) or you can send 220v downstream (at worst)!!!
If you use pigtails, this can't happen.
manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Wow, I've seen my tail in this thread at least once (I'm speaking from the dog's prospective you know).
I really am impressed with the knowledge of folks on this board, but why would be having an argument about keeping outlets downstream of one that fails operating when a jumper plate on an outlet fails?
I've seen them fail just as others have and the last thing I want to have happen is keeping other outlets working - I want that circuit to quit operating so the homeowner or business owner has someone fix the problem before a fire starts.
Think about this: one outlet quits working, they move the connected item to the next outlet. Oh wait, they cant because that outlet is full, now they get a multi outlet plug or an extension cord "because that other outlet does not work".
This is exactly what we don't want to happen. Let the circuit be broken so they call someone to fix it right. BTW, if the jumper in the outlet failed they likely have overloaded that circuit somewhere else.
Electrical tape on wire nuts and around switches and outlets? I'm not going to fully express my displeasure with that practice as much as I would like to. If you need to repair that connection it just adds time and frustration to the process. Why would you do this?
I really am impressed with the knowledge of folks on this board, but why would be having an argument about keeping outlets downstream of one that fails operating when a jumper plate on an outlet fails?
I've seen them fail just as others have and the last thing I want to have happen is keeping other outlets working - I want that circuit to quit operating so the homeowner or business owner has someone fix the problem before a fire starts.
Think about this: one outlet quits working, they move the connected item to the next outlet. Oh wait, they cant because that outlet is full, now they get a multi outlet plug or an extension cord "because that other outlet does not work".
This is exactly what we don't want to happen. Let the circuit be broken so they call someone to fix it right. BTW, if the jumper in the outlet failed they likely have overloaded that circuit somewhere else.
Electrical tape on wire nuts and around switches and outlets? I'm not going to fully express my displeasure with that practice as much as I would like to. If you need to repair that connection it just adds time and frustration to the process. Why would you do this?
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
The practice isnt necessary for devices in plastic boxes.
Its a good idea to do it for devices in a metal j box as the hot side can contact the grounded box when and if the device wiggles.
manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Why would the device wiggle if the electrician has done his job properly? I'm not buying it. Yes I've had devices move and short out against a metal box but it was because I got in a hurry or did something I shouldn't have. There are ground wires in a plastic box too, it could move and short against them.
I just don't like the practice. Every time I see it I get real suspicious of the other work. I can't count the number of times I've pulled too small of a wire nut off a splice that had electrical tape wrapped around it. It was a poorly made up junction that someone tried to make work.
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
Youve never pulled a wire nut off of one of my jobs,or removed an outlet from a box on one of my jobs.
Ive never had a job tagged by a city or county or state electrical inspector in nebraska/iowa/south dakota/north dakota/missouri or arkansas over the years,and that includes res/comm and industrial work.
So Ill just say Im more concerned about what an electrical inspector says about my work than somebody whos probably never been on a job with me.
Theres lots of other peoples work that Ive seen pictures of on here that I dont agree with their techniques that I would call half assed at best,but as long as their local inspectors sign off on it theres not a whole hell of a lot of a differance my opinion makes.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Sometimes its not possible/feasable to turn the power off.
The main reason I tape outlets/switches is so I know that I did the job/was the last one in there if I have to come back 5 years later to look at something,it also slows idiots down from messing with things.
Its a habit from left over from my early days in the trades doing commercial work with metal boxes and plaster ears I guess.
And yes I do tape wire nuts on in machinery that rattles/shakes a lot,Again it also keeps maintenance monkeys from messing with stuff.
You're the only electrician to use tape? A "maintenenance monkey" can't figure out how to remove said tape?
Tape won't make a spit's worth of difference in your "rattle/shake" scenario...
Tommy
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
Theres plenty of electricians out there that use tape.If a maintenance guy wants to pull it off its on him,but if I come back and find a switch or outlet I installed doesnt have tape on it I know that somebody else has been in there if theres a problem.
Its not a big deal,theres a whole lot bigger things to worry about .Like some of the sloppy *** panel installs Ive seen on here that nobody worries about,but put put tape around a switch or outlet and your labeled as a hethenistic/hack artist ******* around here!
I love this place!
Its not a big deal,theres a whole lot bigger things to worry about .Like some of the sloppy *** panel installs Ive seen on here that nobody worries about,but put put tape around a switch or outlet and your labeled as a hethenistic/hack artist ******* around here!
I love this place!
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manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Theres plenty of electricians out there that use tape.If a maintenance guy wants to pull it off its on him,but if I come back and find a switch or outlet I installed doesnt have tape on it I know that somebody else has been in there if theres a problem.
Its not a big deal,theres a whole lot bigger things to worry about .Like some of the sloppy *** panel installs Ive seen on here that nobody worries about,but put put tape around a switch or outlet and your labeled as a hethenistic/hack artist ******* around here!
I love this place!
Mike,
I love it. That is a sense of humor man
You changed your avatar to Scotch 33 electrical tape (the best by the way) and quoted one of my posts in another thread where we totally agreed. That's the best thing about this place - agree to disagree and then hoist a beer. Cheers my friend!
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zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
Mike,
I love it. That is a sense of humor man
Cheers my friend!
Dragfluid
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Dragfluid
ALLIANCE MEMBER
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
A ground wire comes off the bottom of an outlet. Its highly unlikely to come into contact with the side of the outlet.
Yes, when newly installed outlets dont wiggle or move that much. But as time goes on, things loosen up and someone in a hurry or careless (as youve pointed out) can yank the plug out of the outlet or pull it sideways and cause the outlet's hot side terminals to touch the grounded metal box.
Ive seen it many times!
soj
Well-known member
Theres plenty of electricians out there that use tape.If a maintenance guy wants to pull it off its on him,but if I come back and find a switch or outlet I installed doesnt have tape on it I know that somebody else has been in there if theres a problem.
Its not a big deal,theres a whole lot bigger things to worry about .Like some of the sloppy *** panel installs Ive seen on here that nobody worries about,but put put tape around a switch or outlet and your labeled as a hethenistic/hack artist ******* around here!
I love this place!
Hey guys, can I just put tape on the hot side, and leave the neutral bare? Sorta splitting the difference, one side for each of you.
And I think I will start pig tailing the neutral, but not the hot.... or vice versa, can't decide.
I am kidding, of course. I was just enjoying the lively discussion, and admiring the ability to disagree agreeably, and wanted to join in.
DISCLAIMER:
NOTE to DIY wire nuts who think they are electricians, (myself included) don't try anything I suggested here, it doesn't even meet the code of the west.