Is this outlet backstabbed or backwired?
Backstabbed outlets use cheap spring-loaded holes in the back that commonly loosen and cause dangerous loose connections, whereas backwired outlets secure the wire tightly under a screw-clamp plate. Confusing the two leaves homeowners worried they might face a fire hazard or need to unnecessarily replace the entire device.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1inspecting whether the connection requires tightening a screw versus relying on spring tension
- 2shutting off the main breaker to the house
- 3finding the specific circuit breaker and shutting off only that breaker
- 4calling someone who knows what they are doing
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Is this outlet backstabbed or backwired? I’m a little confused about the difference between the two.”source ↗
“That was my concern at first that it was backstabbed and that I would need to replace it”source ↗
“The lack of visible box and electric tape threw me off”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3What wall outlet does this plug go into?
- 3How do I figure out what these HVAC control wires do?
- 6How to replace two-prong outlets with three-prong without rewiring
- 2How to figure out what an unswitched wall light is connected to
- 10How to figure out confusing plumbing and water flow directions
- 20Electrician installed an outlet instead of a generator inlet box