Why are my duplex outlets wired this way?
#1
02-13-09, 11:04 PM
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Texas
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Why are my duplex outlets wired this way?
I'm replacing some duplex outlets, and all of the ones I've done so far have two pairs of hot/neutral wires coming into the box. Both sets are connected to the same breaker circuit. One pair is wired to the top set of screws, the other set is wired to the bottom set of screws. However... the tabs on the outlets are not broken off.
It seems these outlets have redundant wiring, which leaves me wondering: Is this a common way to wire a house, and if so, why?
Thanks
It seems these outlets have redundant wiring, which leaves me wondering: Is this a common way to wire a house, and if so, why?
Thanks
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#3
02-14-09, 04:20 AM
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That should be the way they are wired. They are "daisy chained" like that in order to continue the circuit.
If the tabs are broken then receptacles downstream wouldn't be getting any power. The only time tabs are broken is with a multi-wire branch circuit(should be on a double pole breaker now) or an SCR(switch controlled receptacle)
The only ones with 1 set of conductors in them will be the last one on the circuit.
If the tabs are broken then receptacles downstream wouldn't be getting any power. The only time tabs are broken is with a multi-wire branch circuit(should be on a double pole breaker now) or an SCR(switch controlled receptacle)
The only ones with 1 set of conductors in them will be the last one on the circuit.
#4
02-14-09, 09:31 AM
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Thanks for the replies, that clears things up considerably. I had assumed the wires were parallel coming from the breaker, but they are daisy-chained instead.
Is there any common practice for connecting the wires, eg. upstream to the top screws, downstream to the bottom screws? Not that I would depend on that to determine what is hot and what isn't... but if there's a common practice, I'd like to follow it.
Is there any common practice for connecting the wires, eg. upstream to the top screws, downstream to the bottom screws? Not that I would depend on that to determine what is hot and what isn't... but if there's a common practice, I'd like to follow it.
#5
02-14-09, 09:54 AM
first, the receptacles are still in parallel even though their sequence is one after the other, daisy chain.
second is I like to wirenut my incoming and outgoing together with a pigtail over to the receptacle. Any issues with the screw connections or the tabs and it only affects that one receptacle, rather than everything down line. If you think about how many connections something plugged into that last outlet has to go through, it makes sense to use as few as possible. Opinions vary
Bud
second is I like to wirenut my incoming and outgoing together with a pigtail over to the receptacle. Any issues with the screw connections or the tabs and it only affects that one receptacle, rather than everything down line. If you think about how many connections something plugged into that last outlet has to go through, it makes sense to use as few as possible. Opinions vary
Bud
#6
02-14-09, 12:41 PM
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Is there any common practice for connecting the wires, eg. upstream to the top screws, downstream to the bottom screws?
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