Replies

1. 
   Scooter1 | Apr 29, 2002 01:23am | #1

   My inspectors wouldn't care. But I would pig tail each to a single feed wire. One thing I wouldn't do, but lots do, is chain the hot and neutrals from one switch to another like a daisy chain.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1927

1. 
   CPopejoy | Apr 29, 2002 06:31pm | #4

   Hey Boris,

   If you're thinking of chaining the neutrals from switch to switch, I suggest you stick with politics and leave the wiring to others. 

   Or dial 9-1- and then, with your finger on the "1",  fire up the circuit.  Reduces fire dept. response time.

   Or maybe your fingers were moving faster than your brain...

   Cliff

1. 
   JohnSprung | Apr 29, 2002 08:49pm | #5

   I'd think it would be OK to daisy chain grounds, but not hots or neutrals.  The difference is that grounds are only supposed to carry current very briefly to trip a breaker, so they won't get hot. 

   -- J.S.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Apr 29, 2002 10:04pm | #7

   I don't see where there is any overloading problems with daisy chaining hots and neutrals. The total load is carried by the same feed anyway.

   The only limitation is now secure you can make the connections.

1. 
   fireball | Apr 30, 2002 06:38am | #11

   300.13B

   "In multiwire branch circuits,the continuity of a grounded conductor shall not depend on device connections...where the removal of such devices would interrupt the continuity."

   As for chaining the hots,I just don't think running the circuit current through extra termination pts. that will heat and cool and loosen up over time is good practice.To each his own.

2. 
   Scooter1 | Apr 29, 2002 09:19pm | #6

   Read my post. Do not chain hots or neutrals. I don't think I'd have a problem chaining grounds.

   My English not so good. I have forsaken politics to go into construction here in the Russian section of Glendale, California.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1927

1. 
   CPopejoy | Apr 30, 2002 02:47am | #8

   Boris,

   My most humble apology.  Obvoiusly, it was my fingers that were moving faster than my brain.

   Glendale is my home town.  Not much vacant land to build on, from what I remember.  Is the Alex Theater still there?

   Thinking now before I write,

   Cliff 

1. 
   JohnSprung | Apr 30, 2002 04:06am | #9

   > Is the Alex Theater still there?

   Yes, and very nicely restored.  Our chief projectionist (since retired) lives there and got the equipment in shape for them.

   -- J.S.

2. 
   JohnSprung | Apr 30, 2002 04:20am | #10

   Boris --

   If you ever need a structural engineer, I'll give you the number of the guy I used.  He's Russian, so the communication should be easier for both of you.  Even without that advantage, he does good work at a fair price.

   -- J.S.

2. 
   pm22 | Apr 29, 2002 03:08am | #2

   Use a red wire nut. And pre-twist the wires.

   Three wires are easy but five is getting touchy [hard to control]. Maybe first twisting three together and then twisting the other two on, one at a time, is the way to go.

   As for the daisy chain, this should work if you strip off the insulation [about 1.75"] from the middle of the wire and loop it around the screw.

   Another approach is to pigtail three short wires to the line and pig tail two more short pices to one of the first three pigtails.

   There is a stab in connector called or made by "Wago" which will hadle all five wires. Larger and smaller capacities are available. It's a clear plastic thing about 1/4" X 3/4" by 1" with five holes in it. You strip your wires and push them in the holes and that's it. It may have better contacts than the cheapo stab in receptacles. That's for you to decide.

   -Peter

3. 
   fireball | Apr 29, 2002 05:43am | #3

   Art,

   For four switches, yes ,put 4 tails and the incoming hot under one wirenut.Use a gray.Put all the neutrals under one wirenut.To meet code each switch also has to be grounded now.Too many wires to tie your grounds together AND provide tails.Use factory  ground tails w/green screw for each switch IF you used gangable metal boxes.If you didn't, ask some of the people here that don't think that plastic boxes suck how you ground all your switches.I don't think our inspectors would go for the tail off of a tail combo.Daisy chaining the neutral expressly prohibited by code.Daisy chaining hots is a good practice if you like to troubleshoot overheating switches.