Vent: Tried that 'just wrap the wire around the screw' trick on a GFCI outlet

Had a call back last Tuesday on a bathroom outlet I installed. Homeowner said it was tripping randomly. Found the wire had loosened up because I didn't use the backstab or tighten it properly. Anyone else just stick with the screw terminal and skip the shortcuts?

2 comments

2 Comments

holly_walker7617d ago

Oh man, that "just wrap it around the screw" shortcut got me too... I had a living room outlet start sparking a month ago because I didn't torque it down right. Felt like such a doofus when I found it loose. Now I always double-check the wire is snug under the screw and even give it a little tug test before I button it up. It's those tiny details that always come back to bite you later.

sam_murphy3917d ago

YES, dude. Same thing happened to me on a kitchen outlet last year. I thought I had it tight but after a month that wire just backed out a little and it was arcing. Now I do the tug test too and sometimes I'll even give it one extra quarter turn just to be SURE.