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About Master Bob
Expertise
Master Electrician / Owner RKO Electric (USA Only) - can answer most of the typical residential, commercial and industrial electrical questions regarding new installations, wiring additions, lighting, switches and receptacle outlets and electrical upgrades of any nature.I will make every effort to respond to your questions as soon as possible at the end of the work day...very busy electrical company - your patience is appreciated. Stop by and see us at: www.rkoelectric.com

Experience
Licensed Master Electrician with over 32 years licensed experience - updated with the latest NEC Codes every 3 years. Over see the daily electrical operations of two electrical companies. Also serve as a judge (for Electrical Contracting Products Magazine) to help select which new products are fit and safe for electricians and the electrical market.

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Electrical Wiring in the Home > replace outlet

Electrical Wiring in the Home - replace outlet

Expert: Master Bob - 7/1/2009

Question
I'm replacing outlet and the white wire keeps breaking when I "curl" it around new receptacle - it is almost too short to work with - any suggestions? Thank you.

Answer
Hi Jo,

   Just getting back in - been one busy summer electrical season (so far)...sure hope it continues.

  It sounds as if you are trying to wrap the wire physically around the receptacle side screw...and this is not the proper approach. You should curl the wire first (pre-bend it to a C shape) with the curl notch on your strippers....and then place it over the screw shaft in with the top of the C going in the direction the screw turns to tighten and tighten down the screw (never seen a wire break this way...and this is how most electricians do it - partially for that reason...and because it's quicker).

  But - even in the old days...when we did sometimes wrap the wire directly around screw...I rarely saw a wire break...is this real old wire..?

If it gets too short where it can no longer reach the receptacle screw (and it shouldn't - Code requires a MINIMUM of 6" of free wire length inside ANY box..)...then you may have to splice on a new section of white wire to it with a wirenut. ( I'd have one end of that new wire with the C curl already in place).

  Hope this helps Jo....if you need more info - please follow-up. (NOTE: Will be out of the area for the next few days before the Holiday week-end...and will mark myself as away "on vacation" until I return - however - you can still reach me by direct email at:

info@rkoelectric.com

Best Wishes,

Bob Osgood
Owner / Master Electrician

RKO ELECTRIC
Bangor, Maine

www.rkoelectric.com

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About Electrical Wiring in the Home
This site answers questions related to home electrical wiring, home wiring, general electrical help,and other electrical questions related to aleternating current (AC). You can find help on the National Electical Code, home electrical issues, wiring electrical outlets, installing lighting, electrical grounding, and general electrical help for do-it-yourself projects not require an electrician. If you do not see your home electrical wiring question answered in this area then please ask your electrical wiring question here