Nice job tk:
I'll add the following.
Fault currents are best handled by a wire to the receptacle. Then the box has to be grounded with a wire too.
So, you have to look at options. With the box there are two possible ways:
1. a ground clip
2. use a ground screw
3. An empty clamp screw
Some of these options will not be available, so you have to pick one.
The ground clip works all the time, but they are a pain to install.
The Term-a-nuts are about $20 for a pkg of 25. The devices are also available as a black, white and grn package.
I recently replaced the receptacles in a condo and used the Term-a-nut gizmos for all. I was EXTREMELY happy with the result. I just accidentally picked up a wire end rather than a fork end. Look for a change in packaging in the future.
The hard part is cramming the extra wirenuts into the box.
I like the fact that your dealing with stranded wire, so the outlets go in easier.
I personally don't like the backstabbed wires and they offer the ability to terminate the neutral away from the outlet. This is a MUCH better way of doing the connections.
The caution is worrying about breaking the existing ground wire. The conversion will go quickly.
I've had good luck with that technique which again is:
1. remove outlet and disconnect.
2. unwrap ground wire carefully
3. cut ground if necessary to accept a term-a-nut
4. run a piece of solid wire from the term-a-nut termination to the side of the box with a ground clip. This is easier said then done.
5. attach green term-a-nut
Optional:
6. Attach White term-a-nut to white wires.
7. Attach black term-a-nut to black wires
8. Now you have 3 stranded wires with fork terminals. Attach to outlet, etc.
There may not be enough room to use the Term-a-nuts when using GFCI's.
It seems to work well.
So, arm yourself with some term-a-nuts, ground clips and outlet spacers (small pieces of lime green plastic) and go for it.
If you have a hole for a ground screw, then pigtails with ground screw to ground screw would be easier. Use a fork terminal on the ground of the outlet to the ground screw. This is by far the easiest.
Here is a pic of the clip and the screw, but I don't like the method. Go to the outlet ground FIRST. Then ground the box.
http://www.tpub.com/content/construc...4026_153_2.jpg
Most outlets will have two cables coming in because of the daisy chain.
Basically, the resoning is simple:
1. A fault will take the path of least resistance (go to outlet first)
2. The metal box and outlet must be grounded. (Your not allow to rely on the mounting screws
3. Pigtailing the neutrals is good practice. (It prevents loose neutrals on an outlet failure) Sometimes it's required.
4. Pigtail the hots for the same reason (reliability)
Good luck!
I hope the reasoning makes sense. I'm with tk concerning the use the wires technique.
Just check to see if tapped holes for a ground screw are available, otherwise you'll have to deal with clips.