stranded wire into recepticle

[PoorOwner]

Is it ok to insert stranded wire straight in? The kind that you tighten the screw and a "plate" clamps down on the Solid or stranded copper.

I am planning to have this in the end of a conduit not sure to get stranded or solid THHN wires

 

[Beemer533]

Yes it is fine.. Personally I prefer stranded as it is usually a lot easier to pull through conduit..

OTOH, stranded is a bit of a pain to cleanly get under the ground screw (unless it has a plate like the L/N terminals), but I usually pigtail the ground anyway, so I use either a pre terminated tail, or a solid jumper I strip myself.

I can't think of any restrictions on using solid vs stranded of the top of my head, unless there are specific requirements on a jobsite (for example, the FAA doesn't allow stranded conductors below 6awg). But obviously that doesn't apply in a residential situation...

 

[PoorOwner]

Thanks. The ground wire is wirenut into 2 solid wires. one to the receptacle and the other to a ground screw on the EMT box.

the other way is to just buy solid thhn if the run is straight and short?

 

[nadogail]

I, for what ever my personal opinion is worth, prefer to work with stranded wire when making connections to receptacles.

I avoid, when practical, using those lowest price (good grade) receptacles; I prefer the higher cost (better and best grades) that are IMHO easier to work with.

I have used Stake On lugs on 14 and 12 gauge stranded green wires when connecting to the ground screws.

 

[sberry]

I use the 4$ a box recepts. If it works for me will probably work for you too. I am a stranded guy and have to remember to twist left hand before going around screws.
I cant even remember when I replaced a replacement. I have a few with hundreds, probably 1000's of cycles on them.

 

[Syberia]

When terminating stranded wire under a screw, these come in very handy

Under a pressure plate, as it sounds like the OP is using, just insert the wire by itself and tighten.

 

[sberry]

I like those under the screw in the box for the ground. I reverse twist stranded under screws, I make the strip on the long side so I can really draw it all under the screw going the correct direction. In piped work am using big metal boxes and use pigtails and wire nuts to feed beyond. If one isn't using a heavy load all this is rather mute but don't want every device to be a current carrying connection for stuff isn't even hooked to it.
If its an end device or switch not in a 3 way connection then wire right to it.

 

[CJ7VFR]

If I am using stranded wire for switches and receptacles, I twist the ends of the wires to get the strands all together, and then I tin the end with solder to keep them together.

This helps with inserting the wire into either the backwire (the one with the plates) receptacles, or creating a hook to put the wire around a screw.

I don't know if this is the best way to do it, but it works for me. Perhaps someone with more knowledge can let me know if the solder is a bad thing. If so, I will stop doing it!

Jim

 

[ishiboo]

Yes, no problem. I use stranded under the pressure plates, and then a terminal only for the ground wire. I don't like terminating stranded under a screw alone, but I don't use those receptacles anymore and rarely terminate stranded.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes it is fine.. Personally I prefer stranded as it is usually a lot easier to pull through conduit..

OTOH, stranded is a bit of a pain to cleanly get under the ground screw (unless it has a plate like the L/N terminals), but I usually pigtail the ground anyway, so I use either a pre terminated tail, or a solid jumper I strip myself.

I can't think of any restrictions on using solid vs stranded of the top of my head, unless there are specific requirements on a jobsite (for example, the FAA doesn't allow stranded conductors below 6awg). But obviously that doesn't apply in a residential situation...

What is the reasoning behind that?

 

[Beemer533]

What is the reasoning behind that?

I'm not sure honestly... Just the way it is. If I had to guess, someone many years ago probably wasn't paying attention wiring an outlet or switch and let a few strands short out...

Just conjecture though!

We also aren't allowed to install breakers under 20A either (without an approved waiver)

 

[Norcal]

Years ago a company I worked for did a lot of aircraft electrical & they never used solid conductors, they built cargo handling equipment, turned former military aircraft into airtankers for aerial fire fighting, & a number of other products.