# "Backstab" electrical outlets?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backstab-electrical-outlets/580187>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 29, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backstab-electrical-outlets/580187 "2011-04-29T17:56:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 10

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**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\
**Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backstab-electrical-outlets/580187/10 "2011-04-29T22:26:30Z")

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Back wired outlets came along as a present to contractors so a home could be quickly wired. They use spring tension on a tang the locks into the wire. In time, arcing can develop there and the outlet needs to be repaired. The repair is to move the wire to a screw. Yes, arcing can be dangerous. Newer code uses arc fault interrupters that prevent this danger. These can easily be retrofitted if you are concerned. When I’m doing individual outlets, I always use the old fashion way of using the screws. Shame on me.

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