Problem wiring a recepticle

[Junkman]

I am having a problem getting the 12 gauge stranded wire under the ground screw on the GFIC receptacle. I was wondering if it would be acceptable to put a spade crimp terminal on the wire, and then put the spade under the screw. I was able to get the wire under and around the screw, however, when I tighten the screw, the wire flattens out, and it looks very sloppy. I gave it a tug, and it didn't move, so I am certain that it is secure. This outlet is in the air conditioning disconnect box, per the code. The receptacle is made with clamps that secure the black and white wires when you tighten the screws.

 

[mm08822]

I would use a spade sta-kon.

How did you connect the ground wire from the source to the enclosure?

 

[Aceman]

We put forks on them, I never wrap stranded around device screws. It should be mentioned many do wrap device screws and it is legal, I just never cared for it.

 

[sberry]

I do it, done thousands. I make a fairly long strip, twist the conductor left handed. The long strip lets it be well drawn tightly around the screw. One of the biggest errors I see is very short strips on one conductor with wire nuts.
They usually work but they really look poorly done.

 

[Evan(CA)]

Strip and remove the length of insulation you need to secure it under the screw and then strip a longer section of insulation and leave it attached so it keeps all the strands together when tightening.

 

[mm08822]

Strip and remove the length of insulation you need to secure it under the screw and then strip a longer section of insulation and leave it attached so it keeps all the strands together when tightening.

I've seen this done a few times on hots and neutrals as well. Doesn't seem so smart when the hot wire end grounds out.

Could be a similar problem for a neutral on a gfci.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Strip and remove the length of insulation you need to secure it under the screw and then strip a longer section of insulation and leave it attached so it keeps all the strands together when tightening.

Done it that way for years,never had a problem.

 

[nelstomlinson]

Definitely crimp on a spade terminal. It doesn't cost much, and it's a more solid installation.

 

[teamextreme]

Another reason I don't like to use stranded. Do some spec grade receps have screw clamp and plate terminals on the grounds as well as the hot and neutral? If so, that would take care of the problem.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I would use a spade sta-kon.

How did you connect the ground wire from the source to the enclosure?

We put forks on them, I never wrap stranded around device screws. It should be mentioned many do wrap device screws and it is legal, I just never cared for it.

Definitely crimp on a spade terminal. It doesn't cost much, and it's a more solid installation.

In reply to all above, believe it or not there is not a single receptacle on the market that is listed for use with fork or sta-kon terminals. This was a recently hotly debated subject on the facebook electrical code discussion group. I didnt believe it until I saw someone post actual documentation to back it up.

There has been no NRTL testing of this type of setup on any receptacle on the market...

I've seen this done a few times on hots and neutrals as well. Doesn't seem so smart when the hot wire end grounds out.

Could be a similar problem for a neutral on a gfci.

Ive done it a few times before and never had an issue. One does need to pay attention to the length of wire hanging out. I usually leave about 3/16" of wire and use the insulation trick.

rare that i do though as I use spec grade for the most part...

 

[CJ7VFR]

Is it "legal", meaning up to code, to use a soldering iron and tin the ends of stranded wire so they stay together for installation on a receptacle or switch?

I have done this a few times to keep the strands of wire together so they don't try to push out from under the screws. That, and I have also used the make-the-stripped-end-longer so that I could wrap the stranded wire all the way around the screw first, and then tighten it up.

Jim

 

[AntonLargiader]

Tinning the ends is a discredited method now. The solder flows, the stranded bundle crushes and the connection loosens.; I'd be surprised if NEC allowed it. Sleeves for the stranded ends are the way to go these days but again, I don't know what's allowed.

 

[tyme2par4]

In reply to all above, believe it or not there is not a single receptacle on the market that is listed for use with fork or sta-kon terminals. This was a recently hotly debated subject on the facebook electrical code discussion group. I didnt believe it until I saw someone post actual documentation to back it up.

There has been no NRTL testing of this type of setup on any receptacle on the market...



Ive done it a few times before and never had an issue. One does need to pay attention to the length of wire hanging out. I usually leave about 3/16" of wire and use the insulation trick.

rare that i do though as I use spec grade for the most part...

I'm not sure it really has to be specifically tested in that way.
As an engineer who works for a company that makes these terminals, I am familiar with the testing.
UL486 is the subject standard for the terminals, and it doesn't lock you in to any specific mounting location. As long as the mounting surface of the outlet is of sufficient size to accommodate the terminal, and the terminal size matches the screw size, it will be an acceptable connection.

Requiring outlets to test with every single terminal on the market would be absurd.

 

[rburke65]

Strip the wire and twist the strands counter clockwise, form or bend in a "U" under the screw and tightn. The head of the screw will pull the strands "in" under the screw head. Try it.....you'll like it!