In this short video, Ron King – The Ultimate DIYer – walks you through the difference between using the outlet's side terminals versus creating pigtails for each connection. When wiring outlets should I use pigtails or both sets of outlet screws? I'm replacing the outlets in our house and pulled out one that had two black and two white cables. My first thought was that it was two circuits, one of them being switched, but then realized the tab between the two circuits. I have always thought that the best way to wire a receptacle is to use a pigtail lead from the supply wires to the receptacle. It's a small detail with a big impact on your electrical setup. There's a tab between the screws on the receptacles that connects them.
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