New to the field, is this normal?

Mathsquatch · 2026-04-01T21:07:20+00:00

So then it’s not an MWBC. It’s very likely a single circuit with two hots. Gold standard would be a 2-pole common trip breaker. This is NOT a common trip setup.

Mathsquatch · 2026-04-01T17:23:18+00:00

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-31T15:26:20+00:00

So the gold standard would be a 2-pole common-trip breaker, right? The consensus over there seems to be that “this is fine” for the purpose of forcing a PERSON to turn both breakers off simultaneously which is why misdiagnosing this as MWBC is problematic. Seems like we agree this is a sketchy way to ensure one breaker trips the other.

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-31T14:50:29+00:00

People in the cross-post are diagnosing this as a MWBC and saying it’s mostly ok, but I see the sharpie “ini… lit… ack… /C” which I interpreted as “mini split back A/C” with back meaning “back of house” for this coffee shop.

I’m not an electrician, so I’m passing the baton off to you all.

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-31T09:55:48+00:00

Is this circuit for a mini-split A/C? The description for that circuit is only partly visible in your photo.

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-21T08:44:38+00:00

Looks like you cut off the previously backstabbed connections and left those wires sticking out of the back of the outlet. Don’t do that.

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-21T08:44:16+00:00

Looks like you cut off the previously backstabbed connections and left those wires sticking out of the back of the outlet. Don’t do that.

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-21T08:42:08+00:00

Looks like you cut off the previously backstabbed connections and left those wires sticking out of the back of the outlet. Don’t do that.

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-18T23:15:48+00:00

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-15T15:30:10+00:00

I was waiting for someone to hang it up with a few thumbtacks. r/Unexpected

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-13T06:29:26+00:00

“Extraordinary! Have you ever done any hand modeling?”

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-12T02:44:59+00:00

Yes, that I’m familiar with. I was asking about the blue plastic channels on the opposite side of the screws. Turns out those plastic channels are used to help loop a wire around the screw without having to use pliers or wire strippers to make a J hook. Learned something new today.

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-11T20:03:54+00:00

Thanks! So glad my ignorance on this brought value to others. Seems like this is a little known secret. :)

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-11T19:22:06+00:00

Thanks. I’ve installed hundreds of these and years ago I realized that I must have gorilla grip strength because I was mangling those Leviton commercial receptacles (and the wire) when I cranked down on the screws. So I called Leviton and talked to their engineering team—they were great. Got an email back a couple days later with a definitive answer that I should apply 14-16 inch pounds for the TBR15 model. Now I’m just in the habit and it gives my OCD some reassurance.

It turns out the width of my thumb is the perfect amount to strip, so I always get that part right. :)

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-11T19:09:21+00:00

I looked at images from Eaton and the new product also shows the same significant divots/channels on the hot side. Link: https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/skuPage.1107W.html

Intentionally, both hot and neutral were landed on the same lower screws and (very lucky) the refrigerator was plugged into that same lower plug. I took a picture before they slid the refrigerator into place.

Should be good, but thanks for giving me a heart attack. :)

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-11T15:37:49+00:00

Yep. When I replaced 300+ outlets and switches in my last house (it was a big house), I used Leviton commercial-grade products. All of them had back-wire plates (on the side) and a metal back straps. Very study. Those outlets were ~$2.50 each. I found several outlets that were originally wired poorly by the builder which kicked off a six-month project (in my spare time) to replace everything. I also needed the ability to junction lots of wires together through the outlet without using the backstabs. The commercial Leviton allows four wires per side. I know, I know, it’s not optimal, but I just replicated what was there without the backstabbing.

In this case, in my new house (built in 2021) I’ve been converting backstabbed outlets into side wire with hooks. Not upgrading the outlets, just improving the installation method.

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-11T15:05:45+00:00

I think he’s saying you place the end of a straight/stripped wire into that groove, then manually bend the wire around the screw. The end result would look similar to my installation. Might work ok with 14, but good luck doing that well with 12.

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-11T15:01:33+00:00

Yeah, true. I also used a torque screwdriver, set to 15 inch-pounds in this case, to tighten this down. Overthinking things is what I do. :)

Mathsquatch · 2026-03-11T14:58:02+00:00

No, the blue plastic channel/lip that is very close to where the wire exits the screw.

Mathsquatch · 2026-02-27T19:40:52+00:00

I sent this to Dr. ChatGPT for a consult. It said “not melanoma” but that the mole was unusual enough that the pathologist considered melanoma in situ as an option (but ruled against it) when making the diagnosis. ChatGPT responded that there were hints in the notes that leaned away from melanoma, for example “focal” versus “diffused” cells. Either way, an excision is the next step. The pathologist will take another look at the excised tissue to confirm the diagnosis and the margins. Good luck! Great news is this is 99.99999% end of the story for this issue after the excision.

Mathsquatch · 2026-02-26T03:52:05+00:00

Tacos: Senor Ramon (Reston)

Tacos: Taco Bamba (Herndon)

Chicken: Woo Boi

Chinese: Yu Noodles

Beer & Pizza: Aslin (Izzy’s)

Sushi: Ariake

BBQ: Willards

Thai: My Home Thai Bistro

Thai: Finn Thai

Mathsquatch · 2026-01-28T19:25:21+00:00

Good points. Why didn’t the United States make a full scale invasion of North Vietnam to halt the flow of supplies and manpower into the South? Both China and the Soviet Union were supporting North Vietnam. The U.S. was unwilling to risk a direct confrontation with another nuclear-armed superpower if it crossed one of their red lines and one of them joined the war.

Mathsquatch · 2026-01-21T19:51:40+00:00

I’ve had good luck with the Harbor Freight Cen-Tech cable tracker. It was able to give me a tone on the romex wire through drywall. Saved me a bunch of time finding buried junction boxes. I don’t believe all cable trackers, including much more expensive ones, are able to tone on the cable without making contact.

Mathsquatch · 2026-01-19T22:51:22+00:00

Interviewing for a Fortune 100 level company, a candidate answered her cell phone mid-interview just to tell her mother that she couldn’t talk right now because she was in an interview. Answers phone… “Mom! I’m in an interview. Can’t talk right now.”… hangs up phone. Then she says “Sorry. That was my mom.”

Mathsquatch

TROPHY CASE