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Subject - Pass & Seymour
rmansfield I just installed some P&S 4-way switches (back fed type) and I'm not too pleased with them. The wires slipped out of the back feed easily. How do they compare to Leviton? Would you recommend that I wrap the wire around the screw instead of using the back feed?
cs409 i put the connectors to a bit of a test....it would have to be some major unique case for me to use one in daily work....i just see to many problems down the road..

rmansfield, send me a photo of the devise also ,,,are the part number on the box it came in....thanks
Ryan_J Personally, I always wrapped around the screw.
David Hyatt Me too, around the screw is the only way to go.
JimmyDee Too many service calls through the years with the push in connections. I think they are junk and should be done away with.
Jim
cs409 is it back feed with the screw tightening it down such as on a gfi? or push in connections on back side?
Electricman I didnt know Pass & Seymor had 4ways that had push in connections. What is the part # ? We use nothing but P&S devices in our residential jobs.I think the device # we use is 664 WG it only has screw terminals and is rated for 277 volt, we very rarely have a bad device with P&S I would recommend them to anyone.
Scott Vickrey About the Ideal connectors...
I just can't imagine Ideal putting such a notorious connector out there as a new product with out improving them in some way. Maybe the new connectors have more teeth or better contacts inside.
Time will tell..
rmansfield
quote:
Originally posted by cs409

is it back feed with the screw tightening it down such as on a gfi? or push in connections on back side?
Yes. Back fed w/screw tightening it down.
rmansfield
quote:
Originally posted by Electricman

I didnt know Pass & Seymor had 4ways that had push in connections. What is the part # ? We use nothing but P&S devices in our residential jobs.I think the device # we use is 664 WG it only has screw terminals and is rated for 277 volt, we very rarely have a bad device with P&S I would recommend them to anyone.
That's a relief. I never used P&S before. It was a little scary when I replaced the switch and it didn't work; 3 of the 4 wires had come out of the back. I didn't tighten them down enough, just snug. That's my fault. From now on I'll wrap them around the screws.
cs409 next time i pick up some supplies i will pick up a couple of P&S outlets that are back fed....thanks for the input... any comment on the Idea connectors i mentioned?
Scott Vickrey rmansfield,
Email me a picture of the back of this switch at My email address. I have seen three types of connections on a switch. Screw wrapped, plate clamped, and back stabbed. The one you are describing I have never seen before. Are you sure the screw is putting pressure on the wire? The only switches I have seen where there is a small hole in the back for a wire the screws have nothing to do with. I have seen the connections that you slide the wire under a plate and the screw then compresses the wire between the plate and the device.
cs409 just to make sure we are on the same page,,,,back fed where you insert the wire from the back and then tighten the screw on the side to secure the connection are great, (just make sure you get the wire between the clamp to make sure you get it connected,,,sorta like on a breaker..) esp. when your using them on stranded wires.....now wire that is installed on devices that are the slip in connection,,i do not use,,i always use the screw to make up the connection on the side....while on the subject of slip in connnection,or snap in, or quick connect,,,idea brand connectors where you can slip in up to 4 wires,the ones that replace reg wire nuts,,,,i dont use them,,,,dont like them,,,,have no use for them....just to much chance to loose a good connection...am sure in time with AFCI;s you will see many of these replaced with reg. wire nuts because am sure in time, this will be the problem!
rmansfield
quote:
Originally posted by cs409

just to make sure we are on the same page,,,,back fed where you insert the wire from the back and then tighten the screw on the side to secure the connection are great, (just make sure you get the wire between the clamp to make sure you get it connected,,,sorta like on a breaker..) esp. when your using them on stranded wires.....now wire that is installed on devices that are the slip in connection,,i do not use,,i always use the screw to make up the connection on the side....while on the subject of slip in connnection,or snap in, or quick connect,,,idea brand connectors where you can slip in up to 4 wires,the ones that replace reg wire nuts,,,,i dont use them,,,,dont like them,,,,have no use for them....just to much chance to loose a good connection...am sure in time with AFCI;s you will see many of these replaced with reg. wire nuts because am sure in time, this will be the problem!
rmansfield Yes. The wires are stripped 3/4-inch, inserted in a hole in the back and the screw is tightened down, squeezing the wire in a clamp. I've snapped several small bits of plastic from the back overtightening these, so I just snugged them down on this switch. I'll post the part number tomorrow so you can look at one at your supplier. If a rep from P&S reads this, maybe you could build a better mousetrap by putting serrated edges along the clamp to bite into the wire so it won't come out.
quote:
Originally posted by cs409

just to make sure we are on the same page,,,,back fed where you insert the wire from the back and then tighten the screw on the side to secure the connection are great, (just make sure you get the wire between the clamp to make sure you get it connected,,,sorta like on a breaker..) esp. when your using them on stranded wires.....now wire that is installed on devices that are the slip in connection,,i do not use,,i always use the screw to make up the connection on the side....while on the subject of slip in connnection,or snap in, or quick connect,,,idea brand connectors where you can slip in up to 4 wires,the ones that replace reg wire nuts,,,,i dont use them,,,,dont like them,,,,have no use for them....just to much chance to loose a good connection...am sure in time with AFCI;s you will see many of these replaced with reg. wire nuts because am sure in time, this will be the problem!
rmansfield This is a plate clamp. Not like a CB connection.
quote:
Originally posted by Scott Vickrey

rmansfield,
Email me a picture of the back of this switch at My email address. I have seen three types of connections on a switch. Screw wrapped, plate clamped, and back stabbed. The one you are describing I have never seen before. Are you sure the screw is putting pressure on the wire? The only switches I have seen where there is a small hole in the back for a wire the screws have nothing to do with. I have seen the connections that you slide the wire under a plate and the screw then compresses the wire between the plate and the device.