I am replacing a receptacle (15A) and it has three hot and 3 neutral wires. Previously two backstab plus one screw were used on each side. I won't be using the backstabs on the replacement receptacle.
My question is: Do I have to use all four hot and neutral screws or can I simply pigtail all three hot and connect to a single hot screw? I'd do the same for the neutral side.
In this configuration I'd have only three leads going to the receptacle (including ground) instead of 7.
Best Answer
Use pigtailing here -- the Code doesn't charge for pigtails in the Article 314 box fill accounting. However, by Article 314, your box is already overflowing -- so put an extension ring/box on it while you are at it. (You need to get the box's rated volume up to 18 in^3 to fit everything in, or 20 in^3 with internal clamps)