Tinning Stranded Wire

I am using 12 AWG wire in EMT for my project and will be going through several bends. I would like to use stranded wire for easier handling in the pulls and boxes. Is it okay to tin the ends of the wires so that they are more like a solid wire and do not spread under the socket and switch screws? I do not intend to use any of the solid wire push-in connectors on the sockets, only compression connections. I am not intenting to tin any connections in wire nuts.

Comments? Warnings?

 

Use spade-type crimp-lugs, and invest in a crimping tool.


Good Luck & Enjoy the Experience!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

If you are using stranded wire, you may want to invest in the slightly higher grade 'backwire' receptacles and switches. These are not the cheapo 'backstab' connectors (I believe officially called 'quickwire') but instead the commercial grade receptacles where you insert the wire into a hole in the back of the device, and then tighten down the screw, which pulls a pressure plate against the wire. These do a lovely job of clamping stranded wire.

If you need to connect stranded wire to screw terminals, first pre-twist the wire 'backward'. When you strip the wire, you will notice that it is twisted slightly in one direction. Strip an extra length of the wire, grab with your lineman pliers, and twist snugly in the opposite direction. Then form a hook and attach to the screw just like solid wire. When you twist the wire in the normal direction, then strands get pushed out when you tighten the screw head. When you twist 'backward' the strands get pulled in.

-Jon