How to Make Screw Terminal Connections on Switches and Outlets
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The Spruce / Kevin Norris
When connecting electrical wires to electrical switches and receptacles, there are two ways to do it, but only one is recommended by professionals.
On the back of the body of the switch or receptacle, you will see slide-in connection holes that can allow you to simply push the end of the bare wire to make the wire connections. While this might seem like a very convenient way to do it, virtually no professional electrician and few experienced DIYers ever use these push-in fittings—mostly because they've had experience with these connections coming loose.
While still allowed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), these push-in connections are not very secure and often loosen over time. Loose push-in fittings can cause arcing, pitting of the surface area around the connection, sparking, and a buildup of heat. If you must use these push-in connections, always test the wires by tugging on them to make sure you indeed have a tight connection. It's better, though, to avoid them altogether in favor of using more secure screw terminal connections.
Each switch and receptacle device has standard screw terminals on the sides of the device body. These are the connection terminals that are best to use, as there is little doubt that the connections are true when you complete your project. This article looks at the proper technique for using these screw terminals.
Warning
Poor electrical connections rank high among the biggest causes of electrical problems in the home. Keep your family safe and avoid electrical connection problems by mastering this simple technique for making tight, flawless electrical connections to switches and receptacles.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Wire stripper
- Long-nosed pliers
- Screwdriver
Instructions
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The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Strip the Insulation
Use a pair of wire strippers or a combination tool to strip about 3/4 inch of wire insulation from each conductor to be connected. Take care not to nick the metal wire itself; using the proper opening on the wire stripper will prevent this.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Prepare the Wires
Use a pair of long-nosed pliers to bend the exposed metal tip of the wire into a J-shaped hook. This bend will allow the wire to wrap completely around the screw terminal without any insulation touching the screw head.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Connect the Wires
Loop the wire hook around the screw terminal so that when the screw is turned closed, the hook will tighten the wire closed, not force it open. This means, essentially, that the wire should be looped around the screw terminal in a clockwise direction as you look down at the screw head from above.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Tighten the Connection
Tighten the screw terminal firmly down onto the wire. Make sure there is no wire insulation under the head of the screw, and make sure that the bare wire is not resting on any part of the plastic housing of the switch or receptacle.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris