Job Tip: Stranded Wire

IBEW member Jennifer Smith demonstrates how to make a good connection by using a stranded wire around a screw terminal.

The tools needed for this job tip are a piece of #12 THHN Stranded Wire, a receptacle, a Phillips screwdriver, a pair of wire strippers, and a pair of diagonal cutters.

[retired]

That screwdriver shown for the tools needed is a flat blade not a philips and twisting the wire in a counterclockwise rotation would be in the opposite direction than what you instructed.

[robertdewindt]

Don’t cut off the excess, that bit of insulation acts as sort of a “dead” end. The actual copper is set back so if that insulation end happens to touch something in the box, you won’t get a short. Otherwise this is how I trim all my receptacles with stranded.

[f.hababorbitz]

You did not twist the wire counter clockwise, but tightened the existing clockwise twist of the wire. Twisting counter clockwise improves the holding of the bundled wires when clamped under the device screw. i.e. less spreading of the strands. This was the reason the script for this video said counter clockwise.

[dontblameme]

I'll hold the ladder for you any day.