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    RLB61's Avatar
    RLB61 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Aug 10, 2008, 12:47 PM
    Single Pole Switch - 2 black wires and 1 red. Help!
    Hi, all.

    I am replacing a single pole switch in a bedroom. I know how to do the standard replacement, but this one has me. The old switch was configured this way... red wire to bottom screw terminal, black wire pigtailed to top screw terminal and a third wire (black) also on the top screw terminal. I know that this configuration is wrong.

    Can the third wire (black) be put into the quickwire, push-in terminal? This would leave me with the red wire on the bottom screw, the black pigtail on the top screw, and the third wire (black) in the push-in.

    Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

    Randy
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #2

    Aug 10, 2008, 02:15 PM
    Pigtails are recommended rather than use the push-in terminals.
    RLB61's Avatar
    RLB61 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Aug 10, 2008, 02:57 PM
    There's already a pigtail from one of the black wires to the top screw terminal. The third wire (also black) stands on its own. Are you saying that I should put that black wire under the cap as well and then use the existing pigtail to the screw terminal?
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #4

    Aug 10, 2008, 03:14 PM
    Exactly. All wires should be connected to a wirenut and a single wire (pigtail) attached to the switch.

    As for an example (non-switch) as to why:
    Outlets are daisy chained. If you poke things in the back and an outlet overheats there is a CHANCE to develop an open neutral or open ho on the outlets down stream. By pigtailing the hots and neutrals, this has less chance of happening. Using the screw terminals is the next best. But, backstabbing can lead to future potential problems.
    RLB61's Avatar
    RLB61 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Aug 10, 2008, 04:26 PM
    Thanks for the response. One last question. Is that third wire (black) really necessary, or could I just cap it off as a single wire and not use it?
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #6

    Aug 10, 2008, 05:06 PM
    Probably you should leave it. You don't know where iit goes.
    RLB61's Avatar
    RLB61 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Aug 10, 2008, 05:13 PM
    OK. Tomorrow I'll get a bigger wire cap (to hold the two black wires and the pigtail) and then will attach the pigtail to the switch directly. I presume I should undo the current twisting of the single wire and the pigtail... then hold the 3 wires parallel to each other and twist on the cap... is that correct?

    Thanks so much for your help.

    Regards,

    Randy
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