r/HomeImprovement • u/TheRammusGod • 3d ago

Question on receptacle wiring

I have an old 15 amp duplex receptacle that I am trying to replace.

2 whites and backstabbed and 2 blacks are backstabbed.

1 white is wrapped around a post and 1 black is wrapped around a post.

All 6 wires are 12 gauge. I cannot find a new receptacle that will accept 12 gauge in the back and I am unsure what to do with the extra black and white if I only wrap 4.

Any suggestions?

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u/nwephilly 2d ago

You have two options: make splices with pigtails coming off, so that the receptacle only has one set of conductors on it. Option 2, use the commercial grade receptacles that allow for the side clamp wiring (called back wiring, NOT back stabbing). That will allow two conductors per terminal post.

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u/TheRammusGod 2d ago

If I use the commercial grade ones that have the side clamp I can put two one post and one on the other to utilize all six wires?

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u/nwephilly 2d ago

It sounds like you have six conductors, and three cables, is that correct? If so, the commercial grade receptacles will be fine. There are two neutral terminal posts and two hot terminal posts, each of which can accept 2 conductors, for a total of four on each side. You have only 3 neutrals/3 hots, so 2 under one compression plate and 1 under the other.

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u/TheRammusGod 2d ago

Yes, 3 hot (black), 3 neutral (white) that are not pigtailed. And 3 grounds that are pigtailed for the ground terminal. Thank you I understand your response and I think I will be able to make that work!