Electrical outlets. Whaaaaaat?????

[minnow101]

I recently replaced two outlets that are mounted underneath the kitchen cabinets as one of the boxes had broke from repeated use. I was a tad surprised to see how shoddily the wires were actually connected to the outlet box. One wire was hardly touching crimp connector. To use traditional shallow boxes, the hole needed to be enlarged slightly and I cut and glued shims to give the box mounting screws something more to bite into other than the thin 1/8 thick “wood”.

[BobLandry]

I've never seen a solid copper wire break from normal vibration. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Viper02]

It’s not the copper wire that’s the issue with SC outlets. It’s the lousy spring clip and whether or not wire was installed properly with the tool and did the spring clips pierce the wire to make good contact.

Drawing 10 amps with a Instapot or toaster and many of the OEM RV SC outlets will smoke after a while.

It’s called being proactive and fixing Junk before it fails … and it will

[Jackoo]

I could not find any “old work” boxes at Lowe’s, Home Depot or Ace due to COVID. Was told you had to beg borrow and steal to get them. Installed new RV type outlets from GD using the method found on YouTube. Two small blocks of wood and C-clamps. This method worked well even for double sets of wires on the pinch connectors. The fancy tool is expensive if only using it once or twice. Not sure why the original RV outlets broke, but the mounting holes were too big. Used shims and longer screws to draw down the “side flappers”.

[BobLandry]

What tool is required to attach the wiring to the outlet?

[Jackoo]

Wirecon installation tool. Check it out on YouTube.

[traveldawg]

What tool is required to attach the wiring to the outlet?

See post #4 .

[scoganz]

Might have to try those "old work" boxes. I wanted to swap out my 12v outlets with sockets that also had USB built in,,,, that is until I pulled it and saw it. Haven't seen that kind with USB.

[Roadtrip31MB]

Absolutely nothing wrong with using solid copper or quick connects. Both can be used per NEC code. Move along!

[hlozano]

Here’s what my quick connect looked like when my fire place quit working.