CatnipAndLasers t1_j1fghhl wrote on December 23, 2022 at 10:48 PM

Reply to comment by [deleted] in Can I install this single pole switch in place of the dimmer switch that was here? by Affectionate_Cronut

This works but decora switches usually have both screw terminals and push-in terminals.

If you wanted to get rid of the pigtail you could put 1 of the doubled up wires on the line screw terminal, and the other into the line push-in terminal. Then connect the single load wire to either of the load terminals.

jacknifetoaswan t1_j1fnais wrote on December 23, 2022 at 11:41 PM

Backstab terminals are awful. Do not recommend.

IAmGoingToSleepNow t1_j1fo27n wrote on December 23, 2022 at 11:47 PM

Why?

jacknifetoaswan t1_j1fqf4z wrote on December 24, 2022 at 12:06 AM

They make poor connections, are difficult or impossible to release the wires, and can cause unsafe connections that could short.

SemiNormal t1_j1fw9wd wrote on December 24, 2022 at 12:52 AM

The amount of times I have stabbed myself with a screwdriver trying to release the wire is way too high. I just cut the wires off anymore when replacing an old switch.

jacknifetoaswan t1_j1fwu3j wrote on December 24, 2022 at 12:57 AM

Same. If I see them, I replace them with new receptacles and bend the wires like a normal human being.

brotherm00se t1_j1i9xfc wrote on December 24, 2022 at 4:10 PM

hahaha

My_Name_Is_Eden t1_j1fopwy wrote on December 23, 2022 at 11:52 PM

This is not good advice; back-stabbed connections fail at a much higher rate. If you don't want to pigtail, the plate connector on decora switches can take two wires. You just have to straighten them and make sure the right amount is stripped.