The Family Handyman – August 2019

FAMILYHANDYMAN.COM JULY/AUGUST 2019 71

MISTAKE:

Installing cable

without a clamp

Cable that’s not secured can strain

the connections. In metal boxes, the

sharp edges can cut the insulation

on the wires.

THE RIGHT WAY:

INSTALL A CLAMP

Single-gang plastic boxes do not

require internal cable clamps, but

the cable must be stapled within

8 in. of the box. Larger plastic boxes

are required to have built-in cable

clamps, and the cable must be sta-

pled within 12 in. of the box. Cables

must be connected to metal boxes

with an approved cable clamp.

Make sure the sheathing on the

cable is trapped under the clamp,

and that about 1/4 in. of sheathing

is visible inside the box. Some metal

boxes have built-in cable clamps. If

the box you’re using doesn’t include

clamps, buy clamps separately and

install them when you add the cable

to the box (photo right).

Missing

cable

clamp

Cable

clamp

MISTAKE:

Not using

tamper-

resistant

receptacles

Conventional recep-
tacles are available
at home centers, so
many people use
them when replacing
an outlet.

THE RIGHT WAY:

According to the
NEC, when you
replace an outlet, the
new one must be a
tamper-resistant
receptacle.

Tamper

resistant

BEST PRO TIPS