I have an overheating outlet due to electrician using the inserts in the rear of the receptacle and not the side posts. I will replace the connects to the side . but the rub is that about .5″ to 1″ of the insulation is charred (brittle).
My question is can I tape the charred section and install on the side posts or do I need to cut back to good material??
This question is due to the potential of not having a good length of wire to deal with.
Thanks
Replies
Learn me.
Why would using the stabs cause the outlet to overheat?
The instructions for the new GFI I just bought two days ago kinda implied they preferred that method.
Now I know old outlets (20 years ago) had some issue with underperformance of the stabs, and the gfi I was replacing (the licensed sparky) was installed (4 years ago) that way. (Although I suspect part of the reason the gfi failed was due to the hot line either not being pushed in far enuff or it backed out someway.)
But this new gfi had titening screws for the stab.
back stab and back wired are two different things. the former is what you are thinking of from the good ole days!back wired is a more positive pressure connection.
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
tape is no substitute for the insulation ... best to just cut it back, or splice a fresh pigtail on
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, wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
Boag,
There are "backwired" outlets available that still use a screw to secure the wire. The wire goes into the back of the outlet like yours, but then you tighten the screw and it clamps the wire in place. That might work better and allow you to get rid of the scorched insulation, but still have enough wire length.
Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
When I have such a damaged wire, I remove the charred insulation, then re-insulate the wire with heat shrink tubing. If the tubing is black, I make a point of also wrapping the neutral with white tape.
Yep, heat shrink is the way to go to repair something like that.
I would even go as far as leaving the old charred insul in place.
You might also be able to loosen the cable clamp and pull some additional wire into the box.
By the way, you don't mention you are going to replace the outlet. I hope you do.
Appreciate the input. I repaired the wiring - had enough to connect to the side posts of a new fixture.
BTW what does NEC say about repairs - if anything??