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Update: I finally tried the 'pigtail in the box' method for a multi-wire branch circuit
For the longest time, I thought making up a 4-wire MWBC in a single gang box was just asking for trouble... too many wires, too tight, a real headache. I'd always try to split the load or run a separate circuit, which added time and cost. Then on a kitchen remodel in Everett last month, the homeowner wanted two separate appliance circuits feeding one outlet location. My journeyman, Frank, just looked at me and said, 'Make a pigtail home run in the box, it's code if you do it right.' He showed me how to use a Wago 221 lever nut for the neutrals and keep the hots on separate screws. The box was a deep 4-inch square with a single gang mud ring, and it worked perfectly... no overcrowding, no overheating, and it passed inspection first try. Honestly, I was so stuck in my old way of thinking I never even gave it a shot. Has anyone else had a similar 'aha' moment with a wiring method they used to avoid?
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anthony_wood365mo ago
Been there, stuck in my own ways too.
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wells.evan5mo ago
My neighbor has used the same brand of laundry soap for 20 years, even though it gives him a rash. I see that kind of thing all the time, people just sticking with what they know even when it hurts. It's not just about big life choices, it's in the small daily stuff too. Makes you wonder what we're all missing out on because we're on autopilot.
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riverb135mo ago
Totally get that feeling of being stuck in a routine! I used to re-wrap leftovers the same way every time, even though the foil would always tear. Saw a friend use those reusable bowl lids once and it was a total game changer. Sometimes you just need that little push to try something new.
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mason.drew3mo ago
That line about being on "autopilot" really hits home. It's like we all have these invisible scripts running in our heads. I noticed it at the grocery store the other day, everyone grabbing the same brand of bread even when there's a better one right next to it. We just do the same thing over and over because it's easy, not because it's good. The crazy part is we probably don't even realize how many small choices we're making without thinking. Once you start paying attention, you see it EVERYWHERE.
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