A while back I did a post about the new Tamper Resistant Receptacles that are now required by the most recent electrical codes. 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
In recent inspections of new homes I have started seeing these receptacles.
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I haven't seen any of these yet. So what's the trick?
Glenn---you just have to use a little more force than is "usual" and wiggle the plug a little.
Mr Charles,
You are good wiggler, so what is the problem?
Nutsy
I understand if you stick a screw driver in and wiggle it around a little it makes it easier to plug things in.
Nutsy based on recent sexy pictures of you I would say that you wiggle better than I
Gene----well it is only plastic after all----just don't heat the screw driver up.
So now you are teaching patience Charles, as well as all the other things. I guess I won't bring out the big hammer as I was thinking.
Frank, I have found over the course of my life that "patience" is relative. When I have it I can not understand why no one else does and when I don't---I can't imagine how it is possible :)
We make a point to discuss these at our walk throughs because otherwise we get lots of warranty claims about them. Another problematic, relatively new code requirement are the AFCI breakers. They tend to trip much easier than standard breakers, especially when homeowners use surge protectors.
Kevin, manufacturers of AFCI breakers assert that if the breaker trips when a surge protector is plugged into the circuit there is a problem with the surge protector----not the breaker. Proof that the breaker is actually doing its job. There was similar folklore about vacuum cleaners----the problem was the vacuum cleaners not the breakers.
Yep, lots of finger pointing. Regardless, it's probably a good thing. If some get their way, we're going to "out" a lot of surge protectors and vacuum cleaners when EVERY receptacle is AFCI protected.
Charles - must be a regional thing. The first generation of TR outlets were a little finicky, but the newer generation seems to work like a charm. No wiggling, no shaking... they just work like they're supposed to. You'll get them in soon enough I'm sure.
Mr Charles,
In regards to what you said about me, all I have to say is this:
Proxy Error
The proxy server received an invalid response from an upstream server.
The proxy server could not handle the request GET /action/agents/show_score/kingofthehouse.
Reason: Error reading from remote server
Nutsy
Apache/2.2.3 (Red Hat) mod_ssl/2.2.3 OpenSSL/0.9.8e-fips-rhel5 Server at activerain.com Port 80Hi Charles, still not using them here yet, it will not be long, great info as alway. will reblog.
~ Life is Good ~
Reuben---perhaps a different brand?
Nutsy, you would not be reading anything, remote or otherwise
Roy, thanks and thanks for the reblog
Nannie, nannie, boo, boo...
Jay, do you need a bandaid?
I think we all need a bandaid for all the various and asundry cuts inflicted by the Nannie state. That's where the "boo, boo..." comes from above!
I find that if you wiggle the paper clip just right you can get it to insert pretty easily.
I'm with Jay! Nannie, Nannie, poo poo...did I say that?
Jay, but we ARE the Nannie state :)
Mike, I find that works too :)
I don't think anyone wants their hair to stand up like Don King. Not in vogue.lol
Robert, yes---not a pretty sight LOL