1

I intend to use 14 AWG copper pigtails for the receptacles in the 15-A circuits because #14 folds into the boxes so much easier than #12. The AlumiConn connectors take up more room than the Scotchlok red wire nuts, and the boxes are not generously sized.

I have on hand some solid copper wire (not romex but separate wires in white and black insulation) labeled "GCC P 14 AWG TYPE THHN OR THWN 600 VOLTS GAS AND OIL RESISTANT VW-1 OR AWM" which I used to pigtail switches and light fixtures on #12 AL. Is it OK to use that to pigtail receptacles in 15-A circuits in #12 AL? Or would it be better for some reason unknown to me to buy new Romex, cut the sheath off, and use the wires for pigtails?

The original 20-A circuits are in #10 AL and I will have to use #12 CU to pigtail those, but half of the 20-A circuits are dedicated and so have only one receptacle on them and so one cable in the box. Some receptacles I changed to CO/ALR and I won't pigtail those, at least not now.

When I pig-tailed the aluminum wiring in my house 35 years ago I used #14 pigtails on the light switches and the ceramic light fixtures and #12 pigtails on all receptacles, even in the 15-A circuits, because I thought three equal diameter wires (2 AL and 1 CU) would make a better connection in the Scotchlok 20058 red twist-on spring connectors I was using. The AlumiConn connectors have each wire in a separate hole.

Improve this question
3
  • Have you tried the two port AlumiConns? They're almost as small as a standard wire nut. AFAIK you can only order them online tho.
    – Machavity
    Nov 27, 2016 at 0:36
  • I have some 2-port AlumiConns. They would be used for switches and terminal receptacles. There are a few connections with 4 (or 5?) wires which I made 35-years ago with grey Scotchlok twist on spring connectors. Those will just have to be remade with the same type connectors but with Penetrox A joint compound. I originally used NoAlOx which is no longer recommended.
    – Jim Stewart
    Nov 27, 2016 at 11:03
  • you want stranded THHN wire for your pigtails. It is 100 times easier to cram in a box. Just make sure your splices and receptacles are listed for use with stranded wire. If you only buy one color, buy white, it can be taped to be a hot, or stripped bare to be a ground.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Nov 28, 2016 at 0:43

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

THHN should be more than fine for a pigtail job; in fact, the wires in Romex aren't intended to be used by themselves i.e. outside of the cable jacket as they have no UL listing for that use -- the cable as a whole is the only thing that carries the listing.

(THHN/THWN is what's used inside metal-clad cables and when wiring conduits -- it's the "standard" wire as far as individual wires go for building-wiring use.)

Improve this answer
4
  • What wire would be used for the ground pigtails? Is bare copper wire in #14 available to use as the ground pigtail? What would it be called? Or is solid copper with green insulation available? I understand that in the UK green/yellow stripe tubing is slipped over the bare copper ground in the junction boxes. Presumably this is not available in the US and just not used.
    – Jim Stewart
    Nov 27, 2016 at 3:03
  • @JimStewart -- green THHN is a thing, but you can also get bare copper wire in #14.
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Nov 27, 2016 at 3:07
  • by USA Code, any bare copper wire is ground, it doesn't need to be tagged further.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Nov 28, 2016 at 0:49
  • @Harper -- just saying he can use green THHN if he can't find bare 14AWG :)
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Nov 28, 2016 at 1:15

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.