How to wire a house receptacle
- Thread starter Evan77
- Start date
it can be so hard to find the right breaker, so i just stick a screwdriver in there and then its easy to find which breaker tripped ! aint nobody gots time to be huntin fo the breaker !!!!!!Sometimes you don’t have access or cant access the breaker
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How much wiring is okay to have behind the outlet hardware in the box?
I'm using some old work boxes to wire up some outlets. I feel like I might be allowing too much extra wiring behind the outlet in the box.
I'm using some old work boxes to wire up some outlets. I feel like I might be allowing too much extra wiring behind the outlet in the box.
OP
Other people have their own opinions, but i was taught when the wire was pulled out through the box, grab it with your fist with your hand flush agianst the wall and extend your thumb all the way out, and cut off it at the end of your thumb. thats how much wire needs to be in the box. Im sure there are plenty of other ways to do it but thats how i was taught.
That’s a pretty good “rule-of-thumb”, no pun intended. Code requires a minimum of 6” from the face of the box. You can certainly add to that and fold your wires in neatly. The big thing is to be able to have the device and the wire in the box with no pressure on the 6-32 screws that hold the device in place and no pinching of the wires.
TNHEADDUCK
TJ Enthusiast
When doing the rough in wiring this is the way I was taught. Cut off the outer sheathing of the romex approximately 12 inches from the the end of the wires past the box, push the wires through the box until a 1/2 inch of the outer sheathing is inside the box, secure the romex outside of the box about 2 inches from the box. to finalize the receptacle or switch, cut the wires between 5 and 6 inches hanging out of the box. This will give you enough wire so that when you put the fixture in the box they will fold back.
That’s where I’m having trouble. The outlet feels like there’s too much pressure on the back. I don’t think I’ve got too much wiring in there; it’s just not very easy to bend.
I’d have to see a picture. FWIW if I’m using old work or cut in boxes I go as deep as the wall will accept. I like to have plenty of room.
My Dads been an electrician for 35+ years (started straight outta high school)
He's been slowly teaching me the trade, he never puts tape on the receptacle unless its hanging out of the wall on a pigtail like @Zorba said.
Nothing wrong with putting tape on imo, only thing would be that you have to take the tape off and that would be pretty nerve wracking if it's hot.
He's been slowly teaching me the trade, he never puts tape on the receptacle unless its hanging out of the wall on a pigtail like @Zorba said.
Nothing wrong with putting tape on imo, only thing would be that you have to take the tape off and that would be pretty nerve wracking if it's hot.