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Posted: 10/22/2015 12:00:51 PM EDT
[#1]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
why does he need to pigtail the outlet? he's going to end up with a wire screwed to the side of the outlet either way so why is a pigtail safer than two sets of wires screwed to the receptacle? it's not like he has four sets of wire screwed to the receptacle Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Pigtail that box, install a new outlet, and then get to work doing the rest of the house the same way. Ever hear of the Beverly Hills Supper Club? An arcing outlet got that one going. Sure, it was aluminum wire but that's not entirely the point. why does he need to pigtail the outlet? he's going to end up with a wire screwed to the side of the outlet either way so why is a pigtail safer than two sets of wires screwed to the receptacle? it's not like he has four sets of wire screwed to the receptacle Pigtailing is silly, IMO. Just another potential problem, especially when trying to stuff 20 lbs of crap into a 10 lb box (as most receptacle boxes seem to be). The solid tab on the screw terminals will carry the load on to the next and so on and so forth. |
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Posted: 10/25/2015 11:54:11 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I take it back. Don't pay off your house just yet.  I was planning on keeping the insurance
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Posted: 10/26/2015 12:06:24 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Pigtailing is silly, IMO. Just another potential problem, especially when trying to stuff 20 lbs of crap into a 10 lb box (as most receptacle boxes seem to be). The solid tab on the screw terminals will carry the load on to the next and so on and so forth. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Pigtail that box, install a new outlet, and then get to work doing the rest of the house the same way. Ever hear of the Beverly Hills Supper Club? An arcing outlet got that one going. Sure, it was aluminum wire but that's not entirely the point. why does he need to pigtail the outlet? he's going to end up with a wire screwed to the side of the outlet either way so why is a pigtail safer than two sets of wires screwed to the receptacle? it's not like he has four sets of wire screwed to the receptacle Pigtailing is silly, IMO. Just another potential problem, especially when trying to stuff 20 lbs of crap into a 10 lb box (as most receptacle boxes seem to be). The solid tab on the screw terminals will carry the load on to the next and so on and so forth. Except when that little tab got tweaked when the screwdriver slipped tightening the screw, or by the pliers squeezing the wire around the screw. Then that little tab starts arcing later. Yes it is rare to see pigtails in residential, but it is the better method. |
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Posted: 10/26/2015 12:13:38 AM EDT
[#4]
I had the same thing happen last week, OP. I was out of town and the wife called asking why there would be smoke coming from the GFCI in the kitchen:
 20151021-DSC_0563 by Mark, on Flickr
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Posted: 10/26/2015 12:39:41 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryPigtailing is silly, IMO. Just another potential problem, especially when trying to stuff 20 lbs of crap into a 10 lb box (as most receptacle boxes seem to be). The solid tab on the screw terminals will carry the load on to the next and so on and so forth. Just for fun, lets have a discussion about that little brass jumper between the screws on the receptacle and twisted copper wires under the wire nut. Also, if the pigtailed wires won't fit in the box, the wireman that did the rough-in should look for a new job. |
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Posted: 10/26/2015 1:48:58 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Except when that little tab got tweaked when the screwdriver slipped tightening the screw, or by the pliers squeezing the wire around the screw. Then that little tab starts arcing later. Yes it is rare to see pigtails in residential, but it is the better method. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Pigtail that box, install a new outlet, and then get to work doing the rest of the house the same way. Ever hear of the Beverly Hills Supper Club? An arcing outlet got that one going. Sure, it was aluminum wire but that's not entirely the point. why does he need to pigtail the outlet? he's going to end up with a wire screwed to the side of the outlet either way so why is a pigtail safer than two sets of wires screwed to the receptacle? it's not like he has four sets of wire screwed to the receptacle Pigtailing is silly, IMO. Just another potential problem, especially when trying to stuff 20 lbs of crap into a 10 lb box (as most receptacle boxes seem to be). The solid tab on the screw terminals will carry the load on to the next and so on and so forth. Except when that little tab got tweaked when the screwdriver slipped tightening the screw, or by the pliers squeezing the wire around the screw. Then that little tab starts arcing later. Yes it is rare to see pigtails in residential, but it is the better method. If you tweak the tab enough to maim or destroy it, the receptacle should be replaced. You don't need to be in there squeezing with pliers either. A proper loop can be made by just placing the wire in there and pulling it around the screw. It makes it's own loop. Think about this also, if the tab is damaged as you say could happen, then a pigtail will provide no protection against the section opposite of the break. IOW, if my wire is screwed into the top terminal and the jumper is damaged, my bottom receptacle will either not work at all (direct open) or work at intermittently (likely arcing) when something is plugged into it, pigail or not. |
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Posted: 10/30/2015 3:44:30 PM EDT
[#7]
OK guys here's a AAR. i went and replaced the receptacle for the OP cause i do stuff like that a lot.
 it looks like to me someone previous to the OP had painted the house and removed the receptacles when they reinstalled it they didn't fully tighten so over the years of plug and unplug ect. it became resistive and one more plug and boom. the Box is an older small one and box fill would be a problem since it is 12ga 20 amp wire so no pigtail. just stripped it back installed a good decora outlet tightened well and stuff her all back in. tested and its all good. Job done OP is back in business 
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Posted: 10/30/2015 3:46:31 PM EDT
[#8]
Good job!
In before the cries of "no pigtail, no peace!" 
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Posted: 10/30/2015 3:47:35 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Good job!
In before the cries of "no pigtail, no peace!" Oh you ! you owe me a keyboard lol
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Posted: 10/30/2015 4:08:38 PM EDT
[#10]
If one receptacle has failed, there's a good chance others are on the verge of failing.
The big box stores have very goodt books on DIY electrical work. They'll also tell you when to seek professional help. |
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Posted: 10/30/2015 4:15:19 PM EDT
[#11]
Buy quality receptacles, no China Crap.
Spec Grade or better Leviton comes to mind. |
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Posted: 10/30/2015 4:18:05 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: pull out that outlet. likely a loose wire that needs to be remedied. yes it could burn your house down. that zzzzt you hear is arcing that generates heat. This. If you are uncomfortable with any of this, please hire a professional electrician. |
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