No Pigtail, Interesting Wiring,

Molo

Member

Messages

922

Reaction score

2

Points

18

Location

Cold New York

• Dec 31, 2008

• #1

I noticed a method used to wire a switch and am wondering if it's safe.

Power comes into the box and on that wire there is a 1/4" section removed. That section was secured under the switch screw and then continues on to bring power to the second switch.

Is this safe? Should it be pigtailed?

Thanks for any replys!

 

SewerRatz

Illinois Licensed Plumber

Messages

1,681

Reaction score

10

Points

38

Location

Chicago, IL

Website

www.a-archer.net

• Dec 31, 2008

• #2

I seen many electricians do this many times. Never thought much of it. But then I am no electrician.

 

Sponsor

Paid Advertisement

• 1 minute ago

• Add bookmark
• ##

 

Speedy Petey

Licensed Electrical Contractor

Messages

1,108

Reaction score

9

Points

38

Location

NY State, USA

• Dec 31, 2008

• #3

I used to do it that way before I knew any better. Now I HATE that method.
I pigtail a separate wire for each switch.

 

Alectrician

DIY Senior Member

Messages

688

Reaction score

0

Points

0

• Dec 31, 2008

• #4

In the olden days of solder, it would in some cases save a splice and would save time.


Today, not so much.

Occaisionally on a double duplex with a single cable in, I will use this method. Just leave a little extra wire, strip a bare spot and wrap them.

 

hj

Master Plumber

Messages

33,603

Reaction score

1,042

Points

113

Location

Cave Creek, Arizona

Website

www.terrylove.com

• Jan 1, 2009

• #5

wire

For ganged switches it can save a lot of space, but does take more time.

 

Cass

Plumber

Messages

5,947

Reaction score

7

Points

0

Location

Ohio

• Jan 1, 2009

• #6

It can also be a PITB when replacing a bad switch...

 

Billy_Bob

In the Trades

Messages

419

Reaction score

0

Points

0

• Jan 1, 2009

• #7

I would think that would be fine so long as the bare portion of wire wrapped around the screw and had a good connection. And actually this would be a better connection than a pigtail/wire nut as it would be one contiguous piece of wire...

However, try stripping a wire "in the middle" of a run. Not very easy. And the insulation wants to spring back to where it was to begin with. I would not mess with this myself.

 

CodeOne

Code Enforcement

Messages

160

Reaction score

0

Points

0

Location

North Carolina

• Jan 1, 2009

• #8

This is quite a common method seen every day in the field. As far as safety there is no problem. If you are going to change a switch wired this way you should turn the power off to the circuit. Also its a good rule to always turn a circuit off when working on one. One should never work on live circuits.