Just finished swapping out the standard 3 prong plugs and switches I
installed 23 years ago because a real estate 'consultant' insisted on the
Decora type. All the recepts were low end levitan types and i am not happy
with what i see.
The plastic housings are dried and brittle, some evidence of scorching
around screws and terminals, several fell apart in my hands during removal.
None were backwired although the plug allowed for it. The wire nuts and
wire all appear in good condition, but the recepts have taken an obvious
beating over the years.
Conclusion? In the new home we are building i will only use the commercial
type switches and plugs, the cheap low end consumer plugs leave me with zero
confidence in design and durability. I am concerned since the new stuff is
made flimsier and cheaper than the stuff i am replacing.

I am not an electrician but always try to do things right when safety is a
factor. The wiring passed an inspection at the time the house was built but
in my opinion, the wiring was unsafe. Is there any rule on replacment of
these things ever ten years or whatever?????

--


Remove the obvious to reply. Experienced and reliable
Concrete Finishing and Synthetic Stucco application in the GTA.

On Mon, 16 May 2005 21:59:05 -0400, "ConcreteFinishing&StuccoGuy"
wrote:

Just finished swapping out the standard 3 prong plugs and switches I
installed 23 years ago because a real estate 'consultant' insisted on the
Decora type. All the recepts were low end levitan types and i am not happy
with what i see.
The plastic housings are dried and brittle, some evidence of scorching
around screws and terminals, several fell apart in my hands during removal.
None were backwired although the plug allowed for it. The wire nuts and
wire all appear in good condition, but the recepts have taken an obvious
beating over the years.
Conclusion? In the new home we are building i will only use the commercial
type switches and plugs, the cheap low end consumer plugs leave me with zero
confidence in design and durability. I am concerned since the new stuff is
made flimsier and cheaper than the stuff i am replacing.

I am not an electrician but always try to do things right when safety is a
factor. The wiring passed an inspection at the time the house was built but
in my opinion, the wiring was unsafe. Is there any rule on replacment of
these things ever ten years or whatever?????


There are different grades of receptacles and most of the big box
stores (Home Depot and such) etc. will give you the choice of
contractor or specification grade devices which are better than the 29
to 99 cheapies that you mentioned. If you can't find them in stores,
just about any contractor/electrical supply company will carry the
better grades. Type 'electrical receptacles' in eBay and you will
probably find dozens for sale at pretty good prices.

If you have money to burn, you can order "hospital grade" outlets with
isolated grounds and little pilot lights to show you the outlet has
power. Some even have built-in surge protectors.

I'm not sure why people think the Decora stuff looks so much better.

Beachcomber

According to Beachcomber :
I'm not sure why people think the Decora stuff looks so much better.

It's nicer for switches with us old farts, but, I can't see it makes
any difference with receptacles ;-)
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.

Paid a real estate designer or 'fluffer' to consult and make changes that
result in higher resale prices. Here in Toronto we average 25-75,000 over
asking price if a 'fluffer' is used to 'stage' the open houses.
Yes, its stupid, yes its nuts but i am singing all the way to the bank. The
decora switches seem flimsier than the cheapest normal type rockers.

--


Remove the obvious to reply. Experienced and reliable
Concrete Finishing and Synthetic Stucco application in the GTA.
"Chris Lewis" wrote in message
...
According to Beachcomber :
I'm not sure why people think the Decora stuff looks so much better.

It's nicer for switches with us old farts, but, I can't see it makes
any difference with receptacles ;-)
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.