AC electrical puzzlement

[Tom M King]

I’ve never used no.14 wire for any receptacle circuit. Don’t remember ever seeing a 15 amp. Receptacle circuit.

[Jim Koepke]

I’ve never used no.14 wire for any receptacle circuit. Don’t remember ever seeing a 15 amp. Receptacle circuit.

It may be something more common in prefab or factory homes. Likely not many of those worth a restoration project.

jtk

[Tom M King]

Even the 1974 house that I bought for a rental, which was considered a tear-down, has 12 ga. wire in the receptacle circuits. That's the one I had trouble with those back stab devices in.

Also, there is some variation in receptacles sold as 20 amp. Some just look like 15 amp devices with the extra slots on the face. Others, maybe sold as HD or industrial are built much heavier. It's the heavier ones I buy. I think the box stores sell both.

[Tom M King]

I've used these needle nose pliers dedicated to one job since the 1970's. I ground the groove so that a twist of the wrist forms a perfect half loop for side wiring. I think every new house I ever built used these. I just went out to the truck and took this picture. The electrical toolbox with drawers sits on the seat behind the drivers seat. These still get used sometimes. I also finally learned to turn the iphone sideways for taking upright pictures for here.

[Cameron Wood]

I have some of those!
IMG_4945.jpeg

[Tom M King]

Did you grind that or did it test a hot wire for you?

[Cameron Wood]

Did you grind that or did it test a hot wire for you?

One at least half a dozen mishaps over the years- mostly strippers. Still, that's only one every 7 years or so, on average.

[Tom M King]

I have one pair of lineman's pliers that are also good strippers for 10 ga.

[Jim Koepke]

These are my favorite pliers for making a hook to go around a screw or post.

Jeweler's Pliers - Round Nose Plyers.jpg

The smaller pair was given to me by my dad. He had them since before I was born.

jtk