Wiring help - Outet replacement

[jhaverson]

Hi - I am in the process of replacing seveal outlets in my home. I have made it successfully through 5, but the 6th is posing a problem. The oulet that I am replacing had 3 white wires total - 1 inserted into the top left back, one to the bottom left screw, and inserted directly into the bottom left back.

With the new outlet that I am using, I am not using the rear inputs - I am only using the screws on either side. My question is this - what do I do with the 2 white wires that had been hooked up to the bottom left of the old outlet? The screw on the new outlet is not long enough to connect them both to...

Do I cut a small wire, connect the original 2 whites in addition to the small new wire and run the small wire to the bottom left screw? Any other options?

Thanks for the help.

[Toller]

That would be fine. Its called a pigtail. Some people use them even when it isn't necessary.

I would use a better quality outlet that has screw clamp for the rear holes. It might not be as secure as the screw terminals, but as long as it is secure enough it doesn't really matter. (sort of like arguing over which glue is strongest, when they are all stronger than the wood)

Of course, to meet code you need longer wires. I don't know how you are supposed to deal with that (other than to ignore it), but I am sure someone will tell us both.

[tev9999]

Pigtailing would be the easiest. Cut about a 6" length of the white conductor from a piece of Romex. Connect the three wires in the outlet box and one end of the pigtail with a wirenut - check the box to make sure that the size wirenut you are using can handle four 14 gauge conductors (assuming you are using 14 gauge/15 amp line). Follow the instructions with the wirenuts for strip length too. Pull all wires to make sure they are tight after twisting. Connect the other end of the pigtail to one of the Neutral screws on the outlet. I would do the hot (black) side the same way. It will be easier to stuff everything back into the outlet box too since you can pack the wires all the way to the back, then only have two wires connected to the outlet to guide in.