Correctly Installing Switches and Outlets

Have you ever tried to tighten down a terminal screw only to have the wire pop right back out? Always make sure to hook the wire clockwise – never counterclockwise – around the screw. And when hooking wires to a receptacle or switch, “important” make absolutely sure you attach them to the correct terminals: the neutral wire to the silver terminal screw with the “white” stamped on it; the hot wire to the brass terminal screw; and the ground wire to the green grounding screw. And always remember: when wiring a switch, the neutral wire bypasses the switch.

Making a proper hook

If you do not have long-nose pliers, you can use a small dowel to make your hooks in wires. Just drill a small hole through the dowel or you can drive a small nail through the dowel to make the hole. Then, when you want a hook, simply place the end of the wire into the hole and rotate your dowel 180 degrees.

Dealing with push-in terminals

Some receptacles and switches have push-in terminals. A gauge will show you exactly how much insulation you will need to remove from the wire. To connect the wire, just push it into the wire port. To disconnect the wire, shove a screwdriver or awl into the slot closest to the port.

Removing switch/receptacle out of box

When pulling a switch or receptacle out of the box, grasp it from the screw-hole ears in front. If you grab the device from the side you might also grab a hot wire. ” And you do not want that!”

Seal your connections

After making all your connections to the terminal screws of the switch or receptacle, wrap electrician’s tape around the device so the tape will completely cover cover the terminals. This way, if you need to remove the switch or receptacle for any reason in the future, the tape will prevent you from touching any exposed wires.

Pigtails

Never ever hook more than one wire to a terminal on a switch or receptacle. Alternatively, use a wire connector to join the wires with a short wire, called a pigtail. Hook the pigtail’s free end to the terminal.