![]() This method can cause problems, especially when space heaters or large load devices are plugged into the circuit, the load is placed through each outlet wired with this method. Series is where the two wires of each color are attached to the outlet terminal screws, blacks on the brass colored screws, white on the silver colored screws, OR the wires are stripped and pressed into the rear push-a-matic connections for some brands of outlets. Here is a brief explanation of these methods where two sets of romex type-nm cable wires are in each outlet box: The Series method can create problems because the load of the whole circuit travels through each device, whereas using the parallel method this is not the case - only the load for each individual device is fed through that device or outlet. I should point out that wiring outlets are typically done using two methods - Series and Parallel. Loose connections arc when the wire or circuit is under a load. Tight connections do not cause fires, loose connections do. The mention of an overheating Tight Connection where the wire is flat is in my mind incorrect. The only place I would advise caution would be inside the panel when tightening the mounting screws down on #14 solid wire where it attaches to circuit breakers and especially neutral and ground busses. I have personally stripped out the screw a few times, and even broke the screws off when tightening down #12 solid wire on outlets. There may be a slim possibility of flattening a #14 wire down to the point of breaking the wire off, but I have never seen such a problem on an outlet. ![]() You are the second person to share this concern and it is false, especially when it comes to solid wire on an outlet screw terminal. Matt Hi Matt - Great Electrical Repair Question! First of all - would you PLEASE tell me where you found the information about tight screws. If you could get back to me with that answer, that would be great. We have not had any problems with any receptacles, and they are all cool to the touch. I just want to know if this will burn my house down, or if it is okay left alone. I have read somewhere that you can flatten the wire from over tightening the screw and create extreme heat. What I want to know is if this will be okay. Whenever I loop a wire around a receptacle screw terminal I make the screw very tight to ensure and snug connection (as tight as I can with my screwdriver). I know that loose connections are bad and very dangerous. I have replaced a good amount of receptacles in my home, and I'm the type of person that worries about every last thing possible and mainly about burning my house down.
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