My soooo many things yet to be done oh but knowing that all of this in your home being done by your hands must give you all great peace knowing it was done by hands that really care for your future home for all of the family
I wire exactly the same way. But I also tape the wire nuts. It's overkill, but it is the way I was taught. Awesome vids! Never miss one. Much love from Ontario 🇨🇦❤
I agree with John McDonald. I was a electrical contractor for years and did not know about the wire stripping ability of the recep! Taping the terminals is over kill in a plastic box but an absolute in a metal box! I prefer to tape the wire nuts. If the wire spring inside the wire nut (that technically provides the mechanical connection per the code) gets hot enough, it can separate from the plastic wire nut and cause a shorting issue!
Good advice. Tape is never a bad thing, keeps the ground from hitting the hot side. Ground down, is the way I was always taught, but other people have a reason for ground up.Thumbs up !
Already knew about the pig tailing but I've always connected the pig tail to the wires first, but I like how you did it by connecting to the outlet first and I really like how you used the ground wire as the pig tail. I got some outlets I need to install in my outdoor shop and will be trying your method. Thanks for the great tips
I have learned so much from you both, most importantly not to fear trying something new. Jeremy you must have a perpetually stiff neck from working above your head! Hello to Jaime too!
I use my lineman's pliers to twist the conductors. I believe the code says that conductors are to be made mechanically secure before the wire nut. Klein makes an 11 in 1 screwdriver that has a socket in the end of the handle for twisting wire nuts. With my arthritic hands, that's a lifesaver.
Tape is a great thing... learned it quick,while working on metal handy boxes while working hot. Also klein makes a hybrid linesman. They are efficient... and like everyone says about the multi tool and using the nut driver part to twist wire nuts on..doing mainly industrial electrical work for 20years, and you did really good for a quick to the point guide for homeowner....good job!
Thanks for this, we have an older home and had the problem of a failed string of outlets. The wiring is janky, to say the least, and our goal is to upgrade our panel and rewire the whole house to eliminate multiple "handyman" additions that do not make any rhyme or reason. I know it won't be inexpensive but will be worth it to be safe. We are waiting for an electrician since everyone is covered up busy. This explanation makes sense!
A quick tip is that the mulitip screwdriver has hex drivers in the shaft for the bits. The better wire nuts fit the hex nut and allows you to use the screwdriver handle to screw the nut on.
I’m an electrician here in Ireland. It’s so funny looking at the different standards in different countries. We wouldn’t get away with half of that stuff you did there. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with your work or anything, but here in Europe it’s so different.
Yeah I have a friend in Virginia and a few years back when I was over there I helped him doing some wiring and was very surprised that the screws on the side of the US plugs had no protection from hitting the grounded metal box when you took the socket out of the wall, that let out a few sparks when I poked into one of them to see what the cabling looked like! :-)
Haha would love to see the way you guys do it in Ireland. I've watched Scott Brown Carpentry and they do things diffferent in New Zealand as well. It is so interesting how different countries do things.
Great instruction. Never daisy chain through a device for a lot of reasons. Chiefly among them is codes will dictate this, Many years ago I failed an inspection in Massachusetts because I daisy chained the outlets. Had to go back through the whole house and pigtail.
Jeremy & Jaime, The only thing that would make me more Proud of you and your Journey to Self-Sufficiency & Sustainability, is if you were of my own DNA. But, sometime Non-DNA Family is better than DNA Family. You have built a Strong Homestead Family of Non-DNA Kin. We admire, appreciate and adorn you. Thank you for bringing us along on your Journey. Sue 🐝
One other good practice when wiring up a house is to put in a sub panel with an outlet to the fridge, freezer, internet, lights in stairs, the wired smoke detectors/CO detector and an outlet for a tv or radio as having those on a sub panel makes it easier to hook them up for a backup generator in the future. Why need to open up walls when you can get it all knocked out in construction even if you don't want to do it at the moment.
Thank you for the Tip, will put it in my notes to my Architect. I appreciate getting all these little details out of the way before construction. I'm a widow now, so there is no extra income for Do-overs, later.
@@augustreil You probably know this, but others might not so I'll add some detail to what you are saying. That can be done in a safe or in a dangerous way. Backfeeding a panel and only turning on desired loads by using a main breaker interlock is the safe way to do that. An interlock makes it impossible to turn on the main breaker and a "generator" breaker at the same time. The generator breaker is wired to an INLET on the outside of the house. A proper cord (male on generator end, female on the end that goes to the house's inlet) runs from a generator into the inlet. The dangerous (and stupid) way of backfeeding a panel is through the use of a suicide cord (males on both ends) between the genny and a 220v outlet (like for an electric dryer or a welder). This is dangerous to people handling the cord, and to linemen working on the utility grid. It is really easy to accidentally kill people this way.
@@michaelsallee7534 I think hospitals have them as you call frowning. Is there a reason why they do it that way? I understand what you are saying just want to know why it has been done the opposite in hospitals. I am sure there is a reason.
I think it would be beneficial to have the ground pin upwards if you have loose plugs with un-sleeved pins, that way if anything metallic drops between the loose plug and the wall then it hits ground first and not one of the live pins. Can you get plugs with sleeved pins in the US? I know they have to be in most of Europe to stop anybody touching the potentially live pins if the plug is not fully inserted.
I've always installed outlets exactly as you ... with the ground on bottom. However it's code in some locals to install with the ground on top. I was told the reason is that if a plug loosens and something falls on the exposed brass, it hits the ground stab rather than falling across the hot and/or neutral stabs. Makes sense to me, so I've started installing outlets "upside down!"
Some electrical contractors mount the outlets with the ground hole up to designate it as a “switched” outlet for say a bedroom table lamp. Non-switched outlets would mount with the ground down. I’ve never seen in the NEC that it mandates either way?
Hi Guildbrook Farm a very informative video. By the way is any one else not getting video notifications, I am not. I was surprised to see that there have been 10 videos since the last video I saw from Guildbrook Farm, which is 2 months ago. You have certainly done a lot since the last video I saw, your place is coming on nicely. Have a great day.
Buy yourself a pair of Linesman pliers. The jaws are design specifically for twisting wire together and the cutters can easily handle 2 or 3 #12 twisted together.
@Guildbrook Farm Guess I've never seen a gfci receptacle without the "buttons" or are you using an gfci breaker too? If it is just a receptacle how much do those roughly cost?
Where did you pick up your advanced future planning skills? Your consideration to monitor for condensation is the basement over the next year, well most would not have given it a thought. Did you decide to do all your own Sheetrock work?
I’m an Electrical Engineering Technologist and I approve. You actually have gone beyond what many residential electricians would do. Push-in options on receptacles shouldn’t even exist.
So the tabs on the receptacle hot n neutral side would that not make the same as a pig tail if you connected four wires instead of two? N save two more wire nuts? I’ve always looped my ends too but used my impact driver to run in then screwdriver at the end too for speed, but it all works lol 😂
If you connect the 4 wires directly to the receptacle tabs you're basically relying on the receptacle to provide power to the next one in the line. If the receptacle fails, the rest of the circuit dies so that's why we make a pig tail and connect all same colored wires together with a wire nut. Any screw terminal or tab or receptacle that goes bad in that scenario doesn't interrupt the flow of electricity.
@@Guildbrookfarm if the receptacle failed, the wires are still threaded tightly with screws n that tab is still bridged between them, I’ve never seen one fail on the outside, only on the inside where they lose tension or if they burn 🔥 from overload ( improper breaker size or no trip) you would clearly see the black burnt spots, but still think the wires if not burnt in two, would still be screwed n tab in place. But it’s just preference, your way will still work and that house is looking amazing, don’t give up, the finish work is starting n it’s the toughest part after waiting n working so hard to get to that part. Took me a year to do mine, but you’ll enjoy it
The other common place for splitting outlets (at least here) is in the kitchen so that all outlets can have separate breakers... lets you (or someone else) plug the kettle and electric frypan into the same outlet pair without having to reset a breaker...
Good Job! I always tape the outlet/switch if it's a metal box or even plastic. BTW: I've been hearing about price increases in lumber and even drywall. Has this impacted your schedule at all?
Look forward to your weekly videos and always learn something. Wife and I are starting our own rural build outside of Crockett, Tx very soon. I must ask if you don't mind..what brand is that wire stripping tool you are using?
Ha, you think you are OCD, I also put electrical tape on the wire nuts and wires to seal the wire nut to the pigtails. When you do wallboard the basement, how are you going to bring the outlet boxes out 5/8", just add an extender to the box?
Using your yellow handled linesman pliers are easier to twist the wires instead of using your needle nose pliers. I only made hundreds of thousands of splices over the past 30 years. I never used needle nose pliers once, making the twists.
Well, that’s only partially true. In most states you can ONLY do your own work in your own residence. Some states you must use a licensed electrician. Most states require your work to be inspected and “green tagged” prior to the service company connecting you to the grid. Regulations vary greatly state to state.
I’m not sure of your local rules, but there is no way our local inspectors would give us a Certificate of Occupancy before all of the ICFs were covered with something to prevent them from getting hot enough to smolder much less catch fire. I know that some of the companies say this isn’t necessary but tell that to our guys. I guess your area is OK with it?
Wow things are quite different in the U.S., get some better plyers they are not expensive and make life way easier, i prefer the outlets we use in Australia. There seems to be a greater chance for accidental electrocution, or failure in the multiple joins, with the type used there. Wire nuts over here are not at all considered to be reliable, we use connectors that have a recessed screw, the sockets take the wires twisted together into the body of the socket and screw into place with recessed screws, no chance of touching an exposed wire if installed correctly. all sockets generally have a switch for each outlet and if sockets fail the circuit is not affected. We also don't call the sockets, we call them power points!
This is interesting. Can you try and find a video showing a good example of how a receptacle would be installed over there I am curious to see the difference. Thanks!
Tightening screws and wire nuts to the point that your hands are shaking is bad practice. Too tight of a wire nut only puts pressure on the inside of the end of the wire nut, with time the end will pop off leaving exposed conductors sticking out. Ridiculously tight recept screws will pull the threads out of the flat "nut" that grips the wire, causing the exact problem you are trying to avoid.....a loose connection. Upside down receptacles.......well when you get your washing machine and your refrigerator the ground will need to be on top so that the 90 degree plug will allow the cord to hang straight down. To address other commenters, nowhere in the code book does it say which direction a receptacle must be mounted. almost 30 years I have been doing electrical work and I never knew the receptacle ear slots were sized to strip wire.
Never ceases to amaze me the extent of your abilities, what an amazing gifted person you are.
So much info in just a few minutes. Thank you for distilling your knowledge into plain English for us mere mortals.
Thanks for explaining silver and white black and brass you'd be surprised at how many DIY don't know this
Really straight forward. I continue to enjoy your video series. I learn something new every time. Thanks again. Keep up the great work.
My soooo many things yet to be done oh but knowing that all of this in your home being done by your hands must give you all great peace knowing it was done by hands that really care for your future home for all of the family
Always look forward to your videos no matter how basic you may feel they are. Great work!
I wire exactly the same way. But I also tape the wire nuts. It's overkill, but it is the way I was taught. Awesome vids! Never miss one. Much love from Ontario 🇨🇦❤
I agree with John McDonald. I was a electrical contractor for years and did not know about the wire stripping ability of the recep! Taping the terminals is over kill in a plastic box but an absolute in a metal box! I prefer to tape the wire nuts. If the wire spring inside the wire nut (that technically provides the mechanical connection per the code) gets hot enough, it can separate from the plastic wire nut and cause a shorting issue!
Good advice. Tape is never a bad thing, keeps the ground from hitting the hot side. Ground down, is the way I was always taught, but other people have a reason for ground up.Thumbs up !
Already knew about the pig tailing but I've always connected the pig tail to the wires first, but I like how you did it by connecting to the outlet first and I really like how you used the ground wire as the pig tail. I got some outlets I need to install in my outdoor shop and will be trying your method. Thanks for the great tips
I have learned so much from you both, most importantly not to fear trying something new. Jeremy you must have a perpetually stiff neck from working above your head! Hello to Jaime too!
Yes i have been a little sore lately hahaha. Just gotta keep moving forward, no matter what!
I have to second this post!! Well said Cathy :)
I use my lineman's pliers to twist the conductors. I believe the code says that conductors are to be made mechanically secure before the wire nut. Klein makes an 11 in 1 screwdriver that has a socket in the end of the handle for twisting wire nuts. With my arthritic hands, that's a lifesaver.
Tape is a great thing... learned it quick,while working on metal handy boxes while working hot.
Also klein makes a hybrid linesman. They are efficient... and like everyone says about the multi tool and using the nut driver part to twist wire nuts on..doing mainly industrial electrical work for 20years, and you did really good for a quick to the point guide for homeowner....good job!
I like the copper crimp idea. I use colored tape on the receptacles and matching breaker just to make it easier if there is a problem.
Whoa, that just blew my mind. Such a simple and great idea and I'd never have thought of that. Thanks!
Thanks for this, we have an older home and had the problem of a failed string of outlets. The wiring is janky, to say the least, and our goal is to upgrade our panel and rewire the whole house to eliminate multiple "handyman" additions that do not make any rhyme or reason. I know it won't be inexpensive but will be worth it to be safe. We are waiting for an electrician since everyone is covered up busy. This explanation makes sense!
A quick tip is that the mulitip screwdriver has hex drivers in the shaft for the bits. The better wire nuts fit the hex nut and allows you to use the screwdriver handle to screw the nut on.
I’ll have to try that out 👍🏻
I’m an electrician here in Ireland. It’s so funny looking at the different standards in different countries. We wouldn’t get away with half of that stuff you did there. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with your work or anything, but here in Europe it’s so different.
Yeah I have a friend in Virginia and a few years back when I was over there I helped him doing some wiring and was very surprised that the screws on the side of the US plugs had no protection from hitting the grounded metal box when you took the socket out of the wall, that let out a few sparks when I poked into one of them to see what the cabling looked like! :-)
Haha would love to see the way you guys do it in Ireland. I've watched Scott Brown Carpentry and they do things diffferent in New Zealand as well. It is so interesting how different countries do things.
I'm a electrician but I didn't no about the stipper build into the plug. Guess you learn something every day.
Great instruction. Never daisy chain through a device for a lot of reasons. Chiefly among them is codes will dictate this, Many years ago I failed an inspection in Massachusetts because I daisy chained the outlets. Had to go back through the whole house and pigtail.
Great attention to detail & very well explained.
Great video!! Easy to follow and it was pretty informative.
Jeremy & Jaime,
The only thing that would make me more Proud of you and your Journey to Self-Sufficiency & Sustainability, is if you were of my own DNA.
But, sometime Non-DNA Family is better than DNA Family. You have built a Strong Homestead Family of Non-DNA Kin. We admire, appreciate and adorn you.
Thank you for bringing us along on your Journey.
Sue 🐝
some Electricians still tape around the box as you did some do not. it is always good practice too do it for extra safety precautions.
One other good practice when wiring up a house is to put in a sub panel with an outlet to the fridge, freezer, internet, lights in stairs, the wired smoke detectors/CO detector and an outlet for a tv or radio as having those on a sub panel makes it easier to hook them up for a backup generator in the future. Why need to open up walls when you can get it all knocked out in construction even if you don't want to do it at the moment.
I’ve already got the sub panel for critical loads. It will be connected to our solar and generator.
We just back feed the whole panel and shut off the big stuff, like water heaters, stoves, ect. Your way sounds safer.
Holy Crap
Thank you for the Tip, will put it in my notes to my Architect.
I appreciate getting all these little details out of the way before construction. I'm a widow now, so there is no extra income for Do-overs, later.
@@augustreil You probably know this, but others might not so I'll add some detail to what you are saying.
That can be done in a safe or in a dangerous way. Backfeeding a panel and only turning on desired loads by using a main breaker interlock is the safe way to do that. An interlock makes it impossible to turn on the main breaker and a "generator" breaker at the same time. The generator breaker is wired to an INLET on the outside of the house. A proper cord (male on generator end, female on the end that goes to the house's inlet) runs from a generator into the inlet.
The dangerous (and stupid) way of backfeeding a panel is through the use of a suicide cord (males on both ends) between the genny and a 220v outlet (like for an electric dryer or a welder). This is dangerous to people handling the cord, and to linemen working on the utility grid. It is really easy to accidentally kill people this way.
I learned a number of things. Maybe you didn't plan on it being a how to video but thank you anyway!
Well good. 😊👍🏻
I was instructed by a professor who taught factors of safety: you always want a smiley face, never a frowny face with your receptacle outlets
Do they put it ground up, or as you call it frowny face in a hospital?
look at it on the wall is it smiling or frowning at you with a wrinkled brow
@@michaelsallee7534 I think hospitals have them as you call frowning. Is there a reason why they do it that way? I understand what you are saying just want to know why it has been done the opposite in hospitals. I am sure there is a reason.
@@leonardleveque3745 use the ground under to support the power wires. btw hospital egg spurts are not engineers
I think it would be beneficial to have the ground pin upwards if you have loose plugs with un-sleeved pins, that way if anything metallic drops between the loose plug and the wall then it hits ground first and not one of the live pins.
Can you get plugs with sleeved pins in the US? I know they have to be in most of Europe to stop anybody touching the potentially live pins if the plug is not fully inserted.
Jack of all trades..👍😄👍
Have a good evening ❄❄❄
Excellent work as always!!! TY
I've always installed outlets exactly as you ... with the ground on bottom. However it's code in some locals to install with the ground on top. I was told the reason is that if a plug loosens and something falls on the exposed brass, it hits the ground stab rather than falling across the hot and/or neutral stabs. Makes sense to me, so I've started installing outlets "upside down!"
I hear that also, but usually in a kitchen. ??
Some electrical contractors mount the outlets with the ground hole up to designate it as a “switched” outlet for say a bedroom table lamp. Non-switched outlets would mount with the ground down. I’ve never seen in the NEC that it mandates either way?
🤔 That explains WHY stores with Handicap Electric Carts have their plugs upside down. They are still loose and wobbly, makes me nervous.
Well done Jeremy! Very informative and right to the point! Your vidyas never disappoint my brother!
if you are getting your work inspected......make sure your unfinished basement outlets are GFCI protected with a breaker or GFI outlets.
Spectacular results!:) Semper Fidelis
Hi Guildbrook Farm a very informative video. By the way is any one else not getting video notifications, I am not. I was surprised to see that there have been 10 videos since the last video I saw from Guildbrook Farm, which is 2 months ago. You have certainly done a lot since the last video I saw, your place is coming on nicely. Have a great day.
The explanations are helpful.
Thank you. I have a receptacle I have to wire and have been putting it off. Electric is scary. 😉
Buy yourself a pair of Linesman pliers. The jaws are design specifically for twisting wire together and the cutters can easily handle 2 or 3 #12 twisted together.
I have them. They were across the room.
Boy, that brought back memories
Great video my friend!
The whole time I watched this my brain kept replaying the tingle in my had from wiring these hot!😂
very helpful.
Careful on those lamps holders with that bare ground and the screws. Your electrical work looks spot on.
Good refresher. just saying
@Guildbrook Farm Guess I've never seen a gfci receptacle without the "buttons" or are you using an gfci breaker too? If it is just a receptacle how much do those roughly cost?
The GFCI does have the buttons. It wasn't shown in the video but it's the first receptacle in this circuit so it protects all the rest.
I would sleeve the ground so you cannot accidentally short anything while moving around the outlet.
Also, ages since we've seen Jamie around!
NIiice...new video..
Well, I just learned something new, not that I will ever do this (because i'm a scaredy cat), great video.
Where did you pick up your advanced future planning skills? Your consideration to monitor for condensation is the basement over the next year, well most would not have given it a thought. Did you decide to do all your own Sheetrock work?
I am not going to do the sheetrock. I have a crew that can do it quickly so I can focus on another project.
Home builders in my area will turn one receptacle that belongs to the light switch upside down so you know that one connects to the switch.
I’m an Electrical Engineering Technologist and I approve. You actually have gone beyond what many residential electricians would do.
Push-in options on receptacles shouldn’t even exist.
Everyone should check there code in my area receptacles must be installed ground hole down
Just wondering why your worried about moisture problems in the foundation walls of the basement? Cheers from Canada!😁🇨🇦
So the tabs on the receptacle hot n neutral side would that not make the same as a pig tail if you connected four wires instead of two? N save two more wire nuts? I’ve always looped my ends too but used my impact driver to run in then screwdriver at the end too for speed, but it all works lol 😂
If you connect the 4 wires directly to the receptacle tabs you're basically relying on the receptacle to provide power to the next one in the line. If the receptacle fails, the rest of the circuit dies so that's why we make a pig tail and connect all same colored wires together with a wire nut. Any screw terminal or tab or receptacle that goes bad in that scenario doesn't interrupt the flow of electricity.
@@Guildbrookfarm if the receptacle failed, the wires are still threaded tightly with screws n that tab is still bridged between them, I’ve never seen one fail on the outside, only on the inside where they lose tension or if they burn 🔥 from overload ( improper breaker size or no trip) you would clearly see the black burnt spots, but still think the wires if not burnt in two, would still be screwed n tab in place. But it’s just preference, your way will still work and that house is looking amazing, don’t give up, the finish work is starting n it’s the toughest part after waiting n working so hard to get to that part. Took me a year to do mine, but you’ll enjoy it
Gregory you are absolutely correct
Might be too late but have you ever heard of wago connectors ? Just found about them recently.
Yes. I prefer good old twist on connectors.
Always to be safe for sure , my dad does something , he is an electric pro lol
The other common place for splitting outlets (at least here) is in the kitchen so that all outlets can have separate breakers... lets you (or someone else) plug the kettle and electric frypan into the same outlet pair without having to reset a breaker...
Good Job! I always tape the outlet/switch if it's a metal box or even plastic. BTW: I've been hearing about price increases in lumber and even drywall. Has this impacted your schedule at all?
Everything is more expensive and much of it in short supply. It hasn't impacted us yet, but I'm sure it will.
either way, good stuff!
Look forward to your weekly videos and always learn something. Wife and I are starting our own rural build outside of Crockett, Tx very soon. I must ask if you don't mind..what brand is that wire stripping tool you are using?
I think Southwire but it’s pretty generic and comes with a lot of “brands”
@@Guildbrookfarm thank you!
could you please link the strippers you used?
Sure.
amzn.to/3K5tNnj
What brand and model wire strippers do you use
GOOD
Hi,very different from what we do in England,
Ha, you think you are OCD, I also put electrical tape on the wire nuts and wires to seal the wire nut to the pigtails. When you do wallboard the basement, how are you going to bring the outlet boxes out 5/8", just add an extender to the box?
The boxes are already sticking out it's just hard to see in the video.
The trap doors in the new Receptacles are a PIA
Using your yellow handled linesman pliers are easier to twist the wires instead of using your needle nose pliers. I only made hundreds of thousands of splices over the past 30 years. I never used needle nose pliers once, making the twists.
If you never "once" used your needle nose pliers how do you know they are harder to use?
gotta set this on large screen so I can see...
👍👍👍👌❤❤❤
So, in America anyone can do Electrical work? In Australia, you have to do a 4 year Electrical apprenticeship to become a licenced Electrican.
Well, that’s only partially true. In most states you can ONLY do your own work in your own residence. Some states you must use a licensed electrician. Most states require your work to be inspected and “green tagged” prior to the service company connecting you to the grid. Regulations vary greatly state to state.
@@garyhoe466 Cheers Gary, appreciate the reply and info!
Free men don't ask permission.
I’m not sure of your local rules, but there is no way our local inspectors would give us a Certificate of Occupancy before all of the ICFs were covered with something to prevent them from getting hot enough to smolder much less catch fire. I know that some of the companies say this isn’t necessary but tell that to our guys. I guess your area is OK with it?
Not required here.
still, pigtail the last in the line, for if you ever need maintenance, you can.
aren't those exposed basement walls a fire hazard?
No more than anything else.
Wow things are quite different in the U.S., get some better plyers they are not expensive and make life way easier, i prefer the outlets we use in Australia. There seems to be a greater chance for accidental electrocution, or failure in the multiple joins, with the type used there. Wire nuts over here are not at all considered to be reliable, we use connectors that have a recessed screw, the sockets take the wires twisted together into the body of the socket and screw into place with recessed screws, no chance of touching an exposed wire if installed correctly. all sockets generally have a switch for each outlet and if sockets fail the circuit is not affected. We also don't call the sockets, we call them power points!
This is interesting. Can you try and find a video showing a good example of how a receptacle would be installed over there I am curious to see the difference. Thanks!
Bzzt!
Tightening screws and wire nuts to the point that your hands are shaking is bad practice.
Too tight of a wire nut only puts pressure on the inside of the end of the wire nut, with time the end will pop off leaving exposed conductors sticking out.
Ridiculously tight recept screws will pull the threads out of the flat "nut" that grips the wire, causing the exact problem you are trying to avoid.....a loose connection.
Upside down receptacles.......well when you get your washing machine and your refrigerator the ground will need to be on top so that the 90 degree plug will allow the cord to hang straight down. To address other commenters, nowhere in the code book does it say which direction a receptacle must be mounted.
almost 30 years I have been doing electrical work and I never knew the receptacle ear slots were sized to strip wire.
your lights are in parallel, not series
People still use wire nuts? Push connectors are only pennies more expensive.
exactly wago is a must