Is it appropriate to attach wire to a terminal screw by using a stripped section that fits over the screw?
Asked by Noémie Addy 
1 month ago
Last Updated: October 11, 2024
Do you think it’s okay to secure the wire to the terminal screw by wrapping a stripped section of wire around it?
You might want to check out some YouTube videos if you’re wondering about that.
I’m guessing that’s not the case since I haven’t come across it on YouTube. I’ve watched a lot of videos. It just looks like the person who installed it was paid by the hour.
It’s all good, Dustin! Just wrap the hook around the screw to tighten it, but remember you have 4 wires and only 2 terminals, so you’ll need to pigtail the wires.
Hey Evan, that’s exactly what I did! I switched out all the outlets and switches for Decora style and fixed up a bunch of connections in the process. I’m just wondering about that wire that’s sectioned off like I showed you before.
This should be a switched receptacle. If you want it to remain switched, connect the red wires together with a pigtail to one screw, and do the same for the black wires. Remember to break the tab between the two screws.
I’m going to keep both outlets hot. The previous owners didn’t have any ceiling lights in the living room, so it made sense for them to have switched outlets. Since I have recessed lights, I don’t need them to be switched. I ended up converting the old switch into an outlet.
Hey, what do you think this page is for, ?
The best way to connect a stripped wire is by crimping it tightly with a tool first to prevent them from slipping out, make sure to apply pressure evenly across the entire surface.
I obtained my electrical license from watching YouTube videos.
Switching half of the plug? Best to connect everything to one wire and then plug it in.
I ended up using Wago nuts to wire/pigtail it correctly. I’m not certain if the red wire is an additional hot wire or if it was meant for a switched outlet. The terminal fin tab was intact, but I’m uncertain if the previous outlet had it broken.
Probably part of a multi wire circuit. The red wire might serve as a second 120v hot wire. You might find receptacles down the line wired with red instead of black.
You can just pigtail those wires.
That’s actually how the electrician wired my house back in the year 2000 – just note that the wire bend was tight under the screw. (Just focusing on the blue arrows)
Appears to offer a quick solution. I ended up securing everything with pig-tails.
Sure, that’s okay.
There should definitely be a loop under the screw to guide the wire in properly as it is tightened – just like shown in the picture.
If you have a voltage detector, connect the exposed wires with a wire nut, ensuring they do not touch each other. Then, turn on the power and use the detector to identify any hot wires.
I have a feeling the red wires are connected to a switch that is no longer necessary. I’ve owned the house for 12 years, but I can’t recall if the terminal fin tab on this outlet was broken. I could always test the voltage
Oh, I’m not completely certain about what’s accurate to code, but I think capping the red wires and keeping them in the box would be a sensible choice
It’s a pretty common occurrence, actually.
That’s okay
Yes, as long as it’s consistent around the screw and secure
Yes
I’m curious about which screws the red wires were connected to 🤔
Even though the fin tab wasn’t broken, I think they were supposed to connect to a switch. The outlet a few feet away from this one had the same configuration. When I bought the house 12 years ago, I replaced the outlets, but I can’t recall if the tabs were broken. During the house remodel, I installed can lights on the ceiling, so I’m unsure what to use the switched outlets for, and I turned that switch into an outlet.
Definitely okay.
It feels like a lot of extra effort for something that could be easily clipped or pigtailed.
You should probably wrap some tape around the plug when it’s in the metal box.
Definitely no way