Thread: Can the retaining washer be removed from switch?

Hello,
Are the retaining washers on the screws of a Leviton outlet (or any manufacturer for that matter) necessary for anything besides holding the screw on?
I can't imagine that it isolates the outlet from the box since the screws are metal and connect the two.

A related question... if the outlet is screwed to the box, is a ground jumper wire necessary between the outlet and the box?

I ask mainly so that I can understand how the grounding of an outlet works.

I appreciate your response and willingness to teach me a bit about this.

David

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Originally Posted by David Brooks

Hello,
Are the retaining washers on the screws of a Leviton outlet (or any manufacturer for that matter) necessary for anything besides holding the screw on?
I can't imagine that it isolates the outlet from the box since the screws are metal and connect the two.

A related question... if the outlet is screwed to the box, is a ground jumper wire necessary between the outlet and the box?

I ask mainly so that I can understand how the grounding of an outlet works.

I appreciate your response and willingness to teach me a bit about this.

David

.
Welcome David,

Hope the attachment helps.
.

The 'Installation Instructions' says:
"The Acenti™ Duplex Receptacle uses a multi-function self-grounding clip
that provides an automatic ground connection in a properly grounded metal
wall box."
So, that would imply that grounding wire isn't necessary.
There isn't any mention of the retaining washer, i.e. whether it is just to hold the screw on before installation, or it has another electrical purpose.

Originally Posted by David Brooks

There isn't any mention of the retaining washer, i.e. whether it is just to hold the screw on before installation, or it has another electrical purpose.

.
No Electrical Purpose.
.

Awesome. Thanks for the answer.
That's that main thing I wanted to know.

The related question...
Is a jumper wire needed between the outlet and the box?
Do the screws provide the necessary grounding?

Originally Posted by David Brooks

Awesome. Thanks for the answer.
That's that main thing I wanted to know.

The related question...
Is a jumper wire needed between the outlet and the box?
Do the screws provide the necessary grounding?

No, we don't rely on the mounting screws, especially now that most of the boxes are plastic. The bare grounding wire wraps around the grounding screw on the receptacle. If it's a short jumper, it is twisted to the bare wire from the panel and secured with a wire nut (Marr nut).
If the box is metal, it will also have a grounding screw and one of the bare wires goes around that screw, then to the nut.
The wires are always wrapped clockwise so they tighten with the screw.

Excellent.
That's answers it all for me.
I appreciate it.
I've wired some outlet boxes and I want to be sure to do it exactly correct,
but I also always want to know the 'Why' to every 'How'.

Thanks
David