I'm connecting a new outlet to an old one. The old receptacle has holes in the back for backwiring and four screws on the side for sidewiring.
The guy at the hardware store said you could only hook one hot wire and one neutral to the receptacle. The other connections had to be pigtailed prior to connecting to the receptacle.
Seems like there are ample connection points with the backwire hole and side screws. If the hot wires are all connected to one side of the outlet and all the neutral to the sides, then why do I need to pigtail? Why can't I just use the outlet as a connection point (note the fin connecting top to bottom is still in place)? Seems like it would be functional electrically - is it just a code thing?
Thanks, Tim