Proper installation of a conductor on a side-wired device requires that the stripped lead be looped in the ? direction

• A. clockwise
• B. counterclockwise
• C. upward
• D. downward

Answer: (A)

When securing a conductor to a side-wired device, the wrap around the terminal screw should be made in a clockwise direction. The screw is tightened clockwise, so a clockwise-wrapped lead is pulled tighter into the clamp as you tighten, increasing the grip and preventing the wire from loosening or backing out. If the lead is wrapped counterclockwise, tightening the screw can tend to unwind the loop and relax the connection. Upward or downward wrap directions aren’t relevant to how the screw secures the wire, so they don’t ensure a secure connection.