The DIY Electrician: Part Five Back-Wiring -Vs- Side-Wiring
By Jerry Walch, 26th Feb 2012 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutGuidesDIYElectrical
Most modern electrical devices i.e. duplex receptacles and switches, are designed to be connected using either back-wiring or side-wiring methods. Many DIY electricians use the back-wiring method because it is quicker and easier than using side-wiring connections but professional electricians and the knowledgeable DIY electricians shun back-wiring a device like the plague. Even though permitted by the NEC, back-wiring makes for an inferior, trouble-prone connections.
- Residential Grade or Industrial Grade(AKA Pro grade) Devices.
- Three Wiring Methods
- The Problem with the Leviton Quickwire™ push-in system.
- Back wiring using the screw-and-clamp system.
- In conclusion
- References:
Residential Grade or Industrial Grade(AKA Pro grade) Devices.
Today's homes are usually constructed using Residential Grade receptacles and switches because they are inexpensive and the contractor with the lowest bid gets the job to build the homes. Industrial Grade receptacles and switches, AKA Pro Grade, receptacles and switches are high-quality, heavy-duty devices that will stand up to rough usage. Pro Grade devices also have wiring systems that assure quality electrical connections and problem free operation. Pro Grade devices will cost you roughly ten times what a Residential Grade device will cost you at any home center but they are well worth the extra cost. A Residential Grade duplex receptacle averages $0.60 each while an Industrial Grade duplex receptacle will cost you $5 to $6 each.
Three Wiring Methods
Modern wiring devices can be connected in one of three ways.
- Back-Wiring using the Leviton Quickwire™ push-in feature, colloquially referred to as “backstab” wiring.
- Back wiring using the screw-and-clamp system.
- Side wiring using the side terminal screws.
Residential grade devices offer Back-Wiring using the Leviton Quickwire™ push-in feature and side-wiring using side terminal screws.
Industrial Grade devices offer back-wiring using the screw-and-clamp system and the side-wiring method using side terminal screws.
The Problem with the Leviton Quickwire™ push-in system.
Receptacles using this “backstab” connection can only be used with AWG #14 solid copper wire which means that you cannot use this system on a 20—Ampere branch circuit since the NEC requires a 20 A branch circuit to be wired with AWG #12 copper wire. A #12 copper wire may fit in the the “Backstab” hole but the larger wire will over stress the spring connector clip and the wire will not be secured properly. The Spring clip wire retaining system itself can become defective even when used with AWG #14 wire which is another reason that “Backstab” wiring is the least preferred method of connecting electrical devices and why it is avoided by professional electricians.
Back wiring using the screw-and-clamp system.
If you go for the cheaper, Residential grade devices, you need to use the Side-Wiring method using the terminal screws. This method is more time consuming than the “Backstab” system but it is the better, safer way to connect switches and receptacles.
The Pro Grade devices offer Back-Wiring using the screw-and-clamp system which offers the best of both the “Backstab” system and the side screw terminal systems. Using the screw-and-clamp system is almost as quick as using the Leviton Quickwire™ push-in system and is just as mechanically sound and electrically sound as using the side screw terminal system. I, personally, like most professional electricians, prefer the screw-and-clamp system.
In conclusion
- Side wiring is always good.
- Quickwire push-in (backstab) should be avoided.
- Back wiring with the screw and clamp system is my preference.
Note that all three receptacle wiring methods are listed by Underwriter’s Labs. Check with your local building department if in doubt to comply with all electrical codes.
References:
Hubbel Heavy Duty Devices
Related articles
The DIY Electrician Part 1
The DIY Electrician Part 2
The DIY Electrician Part 3
The DIY Electrician Part 4
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Comments
26th Feb 2012 (#)
Wow! That was really quick, mark. Thank you.
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
Good to know!
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
Thanks for the read and the comment, Tella.
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
Another great page in your DIY series. Dan is right here, he says, it is a great guide and when he is off Tuesday, he will check out your other pages. As always, thank you for sharing.:)
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
Thank you and Dan for the read and the comments. Still more to come.
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
Very educational, Jerry. Thanks.
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
Thank you, Buzz.
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
Great guide and information, thanks Jerry....
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
Thank you, Delicia.
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
I am taking so much on board regarding these DIY articles Jerry..Yet another Excellent Star page my friend!!
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
Nice to see you first thing in the morning, Songbird.
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
It was blizzarding when I moderated this, I had nothing else to do, so it was quick!
An excellent guide for the DIY electrician. Added to google+
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26th Feb 2012 (#)
Thanks Mark for both, the quick moderation and for adding it to Google+. I live in the extreme Southern part of Colorado so we have relatively mild winters. This winter has been extremely mild so far. I don't think we've had a total of eight inches of snow all winter, so far.
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27th Feb 2012 (#)
Keep on writing!!
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27th Feb 2012 (#)
I see this as being an endless series of articles written in between other articles, Tella.
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