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Electrical Switch Question Eric Scantlebury 02-18-2008
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Posted by Eric Scantlebury on February 18, 2008, 6:07 pm
Hello all,

I have a question about a single pole single throw switch. On a "normal"
Leviton 15 amp switch there are "secondary" attachments for power on the
back via a "push in port" (for lack of a better term). So the line side has
both screw terminals and this additional port (I presume to do what I want
to do - bring one power line feed into a box to power 3 separately switched
circuits). The problem is that the push in port only accepts 14 gauge wire
and I have 12 gauge wire as this is a 20 amp circuit. Ok so I buy a 20 amp
switch - no "secondary" power attachment. Why is this? Is this standard or
are their 20 amp switches that mimic their 15 amp cousins so that I can run
non switched power between multiple 20 amp switches in a box?

TIA



Posted by hallerb@aol.com on February 18, 2008, 6:28 pm
wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I have a question about a single pole single throw switch. =EF=BF=BDOn a "=
normal"
> Leviton 15 amp switch there are "secondary" attachments for power on the
> back via a "push in port" (for lack of a better term). =EF=BF=BDSo the lin=
e side has
> both screw terminals and this additional port (I presume to do what I want=

> to do - bring one power line feed into a box to power 3 separately switche=
d
> circuits). =EF=BF=BDThe problem is that the push in port only accepts 14 g=
auge wire
> and I have 12 gauge wire as this is a 20 amp circuit. =EF=BF=BDOk so I buy=
a 20 amp
> switch - no "secondary" power attachment. =EF=BF=BDWhy is this? =EF=BF=BDI=
s this standard or
> are their 20 amp switches that mimic their 15 amp cousins so that I can ru=
n
> non switched power between multiple 20 amp switches in a box?
>
> TIA

thats a backstap switch its really bad news, they tend to make poor
contact and go bad often,,,,,,,,,

really junk cheap quality .........


Posted by on February 18, 2008, 6:32 pm
wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I have a question about a single pole single throw switch. =A0On a "normal=
"
> Leviton 15 amp switch there are "secondary" attachments for power on the
> back via a "push in port" (for lack of a better term). =A0So the line side=
has
> both screw terminals and this additional port (I presume to do what I want=

> to do - bring one power line feed into a box to power 3 separately switche=
d
> circuits). =A0The problem is that the push in port only accepts 14 gauge w=
ire
> and I have 12 gauge wire as this is a 20 amp circuit. =A0Ok so I buy a 20 =
amp
> switch - no "secondary" power attachment. =A0Why is this? =A0Is this stand=
ard or
> are their 20 amp switches that mimic their 15 amp cousins so that I can ru=
n
> non switched power between multiple 20 amp switches in a box?
>
> TIA

The push in type connections on the back of switches or outlets are
not a very reliable method of connection. They rely on a tension
grip holding the wire. Over time, it's not unusual for them to come
loose and be a source of things losing power or acting intermittent.
If you follow the newsgroup, you will see most people recommend not
using them.

To do what you want, use pig tail leads within the box. For example,
if you have one feed coming in and want to connect it to 2 switches,
you use a wire nut to attach 2 short wires to the incoming one. Those
wires then go to the switches.

Posted by RBM on February 18, 2008, 6:33 pm

> Hello all,
>
> I have a question about a single pole single throw switch. On a "normal"
> Leviton 15 amp switch there are "secondary" attachments for power on the
> back via a "push in port" (for lack of a better term). So the line side
> has both screw terminals and this additional port (I presume to do what I
> want to do - bring one power line feed into a box to power 3 separately
> switched circuits). The problem is that the push in port only accepts 14
> gauge wire and I have 12 gauge wire as this is a 20 amp circuit. Ok so I
> buy a 20 amp switch - no "secondary" power attachment. Why is this? Is
> this standard or are their 20 amp switches that mimic their 15 amp cousins
> so that I can run non switched power between multiple 20 amp switches in a
> box?
>
> TIA

Couple of NEC code cycles ago, they outlawed back stabs in 12 gauge. You'd
be better off looping one continuous wire around the screw terminals of each
switch or pigtailing under a wire nut
>
>



Posted by RBM on February 18, 2008, 8:13 pm

>
>
> Also on a complete side note - I have noticed that the switches and outles
> I am using seem to have the ground screw connected right to the metal
> housing that attaches to the box. Is this the case and if so can I
> discontinue running another ground to my metal boxes as that should double
> as the plug ground and box ground? That will save space right there.

If you have a metal box, which is grounded by an equipment grounding
conductor, (ground wire in Romex) the screws of the wall switches are
grounding them. Receptacles must have ground wires attached to them or
approved self grounding receptacles must be used.
>
>



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