What is a common risk associated with double-tapping?

Double-tapping involves connecting two wires to a single terminal on a circuit breaker or other connection point. One significant risk associated with this practice is potential overheating of conductors. When two wires share a single connection point, the electrical current may not be evenly distributed between them, which can lead to one wire carrying more load than intended. This increased load can cause the wires to heat up beyond safe operating temperatures, potentially resulting in insulation failure, short circuits, or even fire hazards. Properly sized and rated connections are crucial for maintaining safe and reliable electrical systems, and double-tapping disrupts this balance, making overheating a primary concern.