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New Inspector-proof Electrical Receptacles!

Reblogger
Home Inspector with Domicile Analysis of Texas

My friend Charles Buell on new "Tamper Resistant Receptacles" now being required on all new construction.

Original content by Charles Buell

     A while back I did a post about the new Tamper Resistant Receptacles  that are now required by the most recent electrical codes. 

Tamper Resistant Receptacles     In recent inspections of new homes I have started seeing these receptacles.

     Not only is it now more difficult for children to make their hair stand on end or wet their pants by sticking pointy metal things into the receptacles, it is difficult for grownups to stick anything into them either.

     Well it really isn’t quite that bad, but there is indeed a bit of a learning curve with the devices and one must sometimes fiddle with the plug a little to get the inner gates to open and allow the plug to enter.

     I talked to an electrician about this the other day and he told me that he is getting a lot of call backs related to the difficulty in using these receptacles.  Usually there is nothing “wrong” with the receptacle----people just have to be educated about how to use them.  As an inspector I am providing information in my reports about this learning curve so the owner does not just call the electrician only to be told that there is nothing really wrong with them.

     Perhaps manufacturers will figure out a way to make the interior components a little more responsive to normal use.

 

Charles Buell

 

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Comments (8)

Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

Interesting stuff Roy, thanks for sharing homey.

Mar 22, 2010 03:20 PM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

We'll probably start seeing them here in California in about five years, if not longer. Our California codes run about 5-15 years behind the rest of the nation.

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Mar 26, 2010 04:26 PM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Wow - I'm surprised at Russel's comment - I would have thought CA would be jumping on it...they jump on everything else! LOL

Debi

Apr 04, 2010 02:04 PM
Gail MacMillan
Titusville, FL

Morning Roy..........I wasn't aware of these new devices.  LoL @ Debi's comment, she's quick that one ;-)

Apr 05, 2010 12:20 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Roy,

I missed this when Charles posted it, so thank you for reposting it. I have yet to see these in any of our homes, but we've not had a "new" home in a while.

Apr 08, 2010 03:04 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Dear Roy -

It will be interesting to see how many "pluggings" it takes for these receptacles to become user friendly.  It does take a strong shove - especially the first time trying to plug into it.

Have a happy day -
Lynn

 

Apr 18, 2011 05:42 PM
Tim Bradley
Contour Investment Properties - Jackson Hole, WY
Commercial Real Estate Expert in Jackson Hole, WY

Do they get easier to use with repeated pluggings?

Jun 25, 2011 06:05 AM
Mike Young
203kOnLine.com, covering the USA - Stallings, NC
FHA 203k Consultant 916-758-1809

I did an inspection in CA and found what I first thought was a hiding place or safe place to hide things rather than a receptical, then I noticed they were al lthat way and too a closer look. You must plug into it a little bit then shift it slightly to actually engage it. 

Aug 11, 2012 03:48 PM