Question for the pros, why no pigtail?

[Meursault74]

I just installed a remote control light switch (no neutral) in the wall. No issues for me with the installation.

There were 2 toggle switches in the box I replaced one of them with the remote switch. Line came into 1st toggle switch (backstabbed). Then the screw terminal and length of wire from that same side of the switch was used as line to the 2nd toggle switch. I know this work is at least 30-40 years old and was perfectly fine and was done by an electrician

I used a pigtail for the line coming into the box. I had to for this remote switch, and it's easier for me in the future should I just put back the toggle switch. There was plenty of room in the box even now considering this remote switch is much larger than the toggle switch and now there are 3 wire nuts in the box, where before there were none. No issues putting things back.

Why wouldn't an electrician pigtail this from the beginning? I'm not complaining, I'm curious. I think it's to save a wire nut and piece of wire and maybe a little time. I don't think it's an old code requirement because I removed an optical switch from my brother's place a few years back and saw the same type of wiring. His was done recently by a pro.

Any pros have a different point of view?

 

[Norcal]

Tract homes are built as cheap as possible, so not going to see something that takes extra labor.

 

[BillK]

I just replaced three switches in one of my bathrooms and that is exactly how the original ones were run except the wire wasnt backstabbed at the first switch. It was looped around the screw on the first switch then went to the second and was looped around the screw and then on to the third. I dont see a problem with it and put the new switches in exactly the same. A pigtail just gives you one more connection to possibly fail.

 

[Terry D]

I have seen many times where the wire feeding power to the switches was stripped in a ways from the end and wrapped around one screw on the first switch and then stripped on the end and wrapped around a screw on the second switch. It was continuous, no splices It seems odd to me that they backstabbed it. I prefer pigtailing, its just the way that I have always done it

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Quite simply because of money and time (which is money to some)...

Compare backstabbing time to splice/pig-tail T&M...

 

[Dagny]

Maybe a good reason to research your electrician and don't always take the lowest bid.

Most new homes that I wire are for retired dairy farmers who I have done tons of work for in the past. They tell the builder that I am doing it.

If someone wants a price on a home I give two, minimum code and a price to do it the way I would if I was going to live in it.

If they choose the minimum code I tell them I don't want to do it.

 

[Meursault74]

I just replaced three switches in one of my bathrooms and that is exactly how the original ones were run except the wire wasnt backstabbed at the first switch. It was looped around the screw on the first switch then went to the second and was looped around the screw and then on to the third. I dont see a problem with it and put the new switches in exactly the same. A pigtail just gives you one more connection to possibly fail.

One continuous wire for 3 switches as @Terry D had mentioned for 2?

Electrically it's fine and likely easier for the guy installing it. Any repair down the road is more work I think. Even if I was just replacing toggle with toggle, in my case both switches would need to be moved out of the box to make all the connections if I had left it like that. Now, I can just remove either switch separately.

I'm not concerned with a minute or two. Maybe it's more the wire nut and the 6 inches of wire x 2. Guess time and materials would add up when doing many switches in a home. This isn't a track home. The electrical boxes in question are from an addition/remodel to the home.

I've never hired an electrician and this work was done long ago and obviously was fine. No, I'm not a fan of backstabbing. In other repairs I've done, I had to cut the wire as it wouldn't come out of the backstab, but this one came out OK. When I've replaced outlets or switches, I'll use the wrap around the screw or screw down plate.

 

[BillK]

One continuous wire for 3 switches as @Terry D had mentioned for 2?

Yes. I really did not see an issue with it. I was originally just going to replace one switch that had started acting up but figured while I was in there I might as well do all of them since the house is 44 years old. They left enough on the loops between switches that it was no problem even if I was only going to replace one. Cant say that I wouldnt have done it the same way if I was doing it. I dislike wire nuts and like I said in my other reply its one less connection to possibly have an issue with.

 

[Meursault74]

Yes. I really did not see an issue with it. I was originally just going to replace one switch that had started acting up but figured while I was in there I might as well do all of them since the house is 44 years old. They left enough on the loops between switches that it was no problem even if I was only going to replace one. Cant say that I wouldnt have done it the same way if I was doing it. I dislike wire nuts and like I said in my other reply its one less connection to possibly have an issue with.

That actually seems like more work to do. I mean getting just the right amount of insulation off in the middle of the wire. But it is a solid connection. Mine wasn't continuous. It was backstabbed and then the wire to the next outlet was connected to the screw down on the same side as the backstab.

As there's more than one way to skin a cat, there's more than one way to connect light switches