Why are these receptacles so difficult to plug into?
I just moved into a new apartment with these weird receptacles that make it very difficult to plug anything in. Is there a trick to these? Or is it normal for it to be extremely difficult to plug into them?
receptacle cord-and-plug
New contributor
add a comment |
I just moved into a new apartment with these weird receptacles that make it very difficult to plug anything in. Is there a trick to these? Or is it normal for it to be extremely difficult to plug into them?
receptacle cord-and-plug
New contributor
What's with the two holes in the middle, on both sides of the test & reset buttons? Foreign plug adapter? With no guards to prevent things being stuck inside?
– Xen2050
31 mins ago
add a comment |
I just moved into a new apartment with these weird receptacles that make it very difficult to plug anything in. Is there a trick to these? Or is it normal for it to be extremely difficult to plug into them?
receptacle cord-and-plug
New contributor
I just moved into a new apartment with these weird receptacles that make it very difficult to plug anything in. Is there a trick to these? Or is it normal for it to be extremely difficult to plug into them?
receptacle cord-and-plug
receptacle cord-and-plug
New contributor
New contributor
edited 3 hours ago
manassehkatz
8,4821133
8,4821133
New contributor
asked 4 hours ago
LoreLore
261
261
New contributor
New contributor
What's with the two holes in the middle, on both sides of the test & reset buttons? Foreign plug adapter? With no guards to prevent things being stuck inside?
– Xen2050
31 mins ago
add a comment |
What's with the two holes in the middle, on both sides of the test & reset buttons? Foreign plug adapter? With no guards to prevent things being stuck inside?
– Xen2050
31 mins ago
What's with the two holes in the middle, on both sides of the test & reset buttons? Foreign plug adapter? With no guards to prevent things being stuck inside?
– Xen2050
31 mins ago
What's with the two holes in the middle, on both sides of the test & reset buttons? Foreign plug adapter? With no guards to prevent things being stuck inside?
– Xen2050
31 mins ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
They are tamper resistant. The secret is to insert the plug squarely into the receptacle. The two little doors inside have to be pushed at the same time by the prongs of the plug.
New contributor
1
Just don't tell your kids they have to simultaneously stick two forks or knives in squarely...
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Well you are the owner of a newer type of tamper resistant outlet, it's great to have a safe home but I have been asked to remove these as in other newer code required devices that cause problems and many folks hate! With all the arc fault and GFCI requirements for almost every outlet in New construction I think these are , well shouldn't go there. But yes I have been asked to remove them but they are code now so only the home owner can do this. A licensed electrician can loose there license even if it is in an elder home with no kids. Since its "the law" or code to have tamper outlets try wiggling the plug back and forth to get these pieces of crap to open... Oops let my personal feelings about Nanny State come through since almost circuits are protected by GFCI or AFCI these outlets are a problem for many home owners.
In my personal opinion if the circuit is GFCI protected these are absolute waste. Especially when I have had to replace several after different home owners tried different methods including hitting the back of the plug with a hammer she is ok but luckily it was a GFCI protected outlet , the cord on the food processor and outlet are dead.
5
I am less troubled by the Nanny State than by the shoddy manufacture of these devices. They should work much better than they do. Not rocket science. I would use a swinging gate with the 2 prongs 20 degrees askew, you insert the plug at that angle and twist it straight to move the gate and line up the slots. Pivot point would be the ground pin.
– Harper
3 hours ago
4
I agree with @Harper; requiring the safety feature is valuable, but the implementation is abysmal. My Lutron outlets are nigh impossible to use without a WHOLE lot of force. Why, why, why?
– Daniel Griscom
3 hours ago
3
@Harper I have one TR (not required by code at the time, but I added it because I actually wanted it because I had a little kid (now in college!) at the time) and it works great because it is the angle/twist type. I suspect the manufacturers have moved to the crummy type so that they can use the exact same (very cheap) mechanism for regular & GFCI - the twist won't fit on a GFCI.
– manassehkatz
2 hours ago
1
Yeah they should be better. I find that they do work better with time. The first use is often a struggle that it really shouldn't be.
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
They are tamper resistant. The secret is to insert the plug squarely into the receptacle. The two little doors inside have to be pushed at the same time by the prongs of the plug.
New contributor
1
Just don't tell your kids they have to simultaneously stick two forks or knives in squarely...
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
add a comment |
They are tamper resistant. The secret is to insert the plug squarely into the receptacle. The two little doors inside have to be pushed at the same time by the prongs of the plug.
New contributor
1
Just don't tell your kids they have to simultaneously stick two forks or knives in squarely...
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
add a comment |
They are tamper resistant. The secret is to insert the plug squarely into the receptacle. The two little doors inside have to be pushed at the same time by the prongs of the plug.
New contributor
They are tamper resistant. The secret is to insert the plug squarely into the receptacle. The two little doors inside have to be pushed at the same time by the prongs of the plug.
New contributor
New contributor
answered 3 hours ago
Joe FalaJoe Fala
3718
3718
New contributor
New contributor
1
Just don't tell your kids they have to simultaneously stick two forks or knives in squarely...
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1
Just don't tell your kids they have to simultaneously stick two forks or knives in squarely...
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
1
1
Just don't tell your kids they have to simultaneously stick two forks or knives in squarely...
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
Just don't tell your kids they have to simultaneously stick two forks or knives in squarely...
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Well you are the owner of a newer type of tamper resistant outlet, it's great to have a safe home but I have been asked to remove these as in other newer code required devices that cause problems and many folks hate! With all the arc fault and GFCI requirements for almost every outlet in New construction I think these are , well shouldn't go there. But yes I have been asked to remove them but they are code now so only the home owner can do this. A licensed electrician can loose there license even if it is in an elder home with no kids. Since its "the law" or code to have tamper outlets try wiggling the plug back and forth to get these pieces of crap to open... Oops let my personal feelings about Nanny State come through since almost circuits are protected by GFCI or AFCI these outlets are a problem for many home owners.
In my personal opinion if the circuit is GFCI protected these are absolute waste. Especially when I have had to replace several after different home owners tried different methods including hitting the back of the plug with a hammer she is ok but luckily it was a GFCI protected outlet , the cord on the food processor and outlet are dead.
5
I am less troubled by the Nanny State than by the shoddy manufacture of these devices. They should work much better than they do. Not rocket science. I would use a swinging gate with the 2 prongs 20 degrees askew, you insert the plug at that angle and twist it straight to move the gate and line up the slots. Pivot point would be the ground pin.
– Harper
3 hours ago
4
I agree with @Harper; requiring the safety feature is valuable, but the implementation is abysmal. My Lutron outlets are nigh impossible to use without a WHOLE lot of force. Why, why, why?
– Daniel Griscom
3 hours ago
3
@Harper I have one TR (not required by code at the time, but I added it because I actually wanted it because I had a little kid (now in college!) at the time) and it works great because it is the angle/twist type. I suspect the manufacturers have moved to the crummy type so that they can use the exact same (very cheap) mechanism for regular & GFCI - the twist won't fit on a GFCI.
– manassehkatz
2 hours ago
1
Yeah they should be better. I find that they do work better with time. The first use is often a struggle that it really shouldn't be.
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Well you are the owner of a newer type of tamper resistant outlet, it's great to have a safe home but I have been asked to remove these as in other newer code required devices that cause problems and many folks hate! With all the arc fault and GFCI requirements for almost every outlet in New construction I think these are , well shouldn't go there. But yes I have been asked to remove them but they are code now so only the home owner can do this. A licensed electrician can loose there license even if it is in an elder home with no kids. Since its "the law" or code to have tamper outlets try wiggling the plug back and forth to get these pieces of crap to open... Oops let my personal feelings about Nanny State come through since almost circuits are protected by GFCI or AFCI these outlets are a problem for many home owners.
In my personal opinion if the circuit is GFCI protected these are absolute waste. Especially when I have had to replace several after different home owners tried different methods including hitting the back of the plug with a hammer she is ok but luckily it was a GFCI protected outlet , the cord on the food processor and outlet are dead.
5
I am less troubled by the Nanny State than by the shoddy manufacture of these devices. They should work much better than they do. Not rocket science. I would use a swinging gate with the 2 prongs 20 degrees askew, you insert the plug at that angle and twist it straight to move the gate and line up the slots. Pivot point would be the ground pin.
– Harper
3 hours ago
4
I agree with @Harper; requiring the safety feature is valuable, but the implementation is abysmal. My Lutron outlets are nigh impossible to use without a WHOLE lot of force. Why, why, why?
– Daniel Griscom
3 hours ago
3
@Harper I have one TR (not required by code at the time, but I added it because I actually wanted it because I had a little kid (now in college!) at the time) and it works great because it is the angle/twist type. I suspect the manufacturers have moved to the crummy type so that they can use the exact same (very cheap) mechanism for regular & GFCI - the twist won't fit on a GFCI.
– manassehkatz
2 hours ago
1
Yeah they should be better. I find that they do work better with time. The first use is often a struggle that it really shouldn't be.
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Well you are the owner of a newer type of tamper resistant outlet, it's great to have a safe home but I have been asked to remove these as in other newer code required devices that cause problems and many folks hate! With all the arc fault and GFCI requirements for almost every outlet in New construction I think these are , well shouldn't go there. But yes I have been asked to remove them but they are code now so only the home owner can do this. A licensed electrician can loose there license even if it is in an elder home with no kids. Since its "the law" or code to have tamper outlets try wiggling the plug back and forth to get these pieces of crap to open... Oops let my personal feelings about Nanny State come through since almost circuits are protected by GFCI or AFCI these outlets are a problem for many home owners.
In my personal opinion if the circuit is GFCI protected these are absolute waste. Especially when I have had to replace several after different home owners tried different methods including hitting the back of the plug with a hammer she is ok but luckily it was a GFCI protected outlet , the cord on the food processor and outlet are dead.
Well you are the owner of a newer type of tamper resistant outlet, it's great to have a safe home but I have been asked to remove these as in other newer code required devices that cause problems and many folks hate! With all the arc fault and GFCI requirements for almost every outlet in New construction I think these are , well shouldn't go there. But yes I have been asked to remove them but they are code now so only the home owner can do this. A licensed electrician can loose there license even if it is in an elder home with no kids. Since its "the law" or code to have tamper outlets try wiggling the plug back and forth to get these pieces of crap to open... Oops let my personal feelings about Nanny State come through since almost circuits are protected by GFCI or AFCI these outlets are a problem for many home owners.
In my personal opinion if the circuit is GFCI protected these are absolute waste. Especially when I have had to replace several after different home owners tried different methods including hitting the back of the plug with a hammer she is ok but luckily it was a GFCI protected outlet , the cord on the food processor and outlet are dead.
answered 3 hours ago
Ed BealEd Beal
32.9k12146
32.9k12146
5
I am less troubled by the Nanny State than by the shoddy manufacture of these devices. They should work much better than they do. Not rocket science. I would use a swinging gate with the 2 prongs 20 degrees askew, you insert the plug at that angle and twist it straight to move the gate and line up the slots. Pivot point would be the ground pin.
– Harper
3 hours ago
4
I agree with @Harper; requiring the safety feature is valuable, but the implementation is abysmal. My Lutron outlets are nigh impossible to use without a WHOLE lot of force. Why, why, why?
– Daniel Griscom
3 hours ago
3
@Harper I have one TR (not required by code at the time, but I added it because I actually wanted it because I had a little kid (now in college!) at the time) and it works great because it is the angle/twist type. I suspect the manufacturers have moved to the crummy type so that they can use the exact same (very cheap) mechanism for regular & GFCI - the twist won't fit on a GFCI.
– manassehkatz
2 hours ago
1
Yeah they should be better. I find that they do work better with time. The first use is often a struggle that it really shouldn't be.
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
add a comment |
5
I am less troubled by the Nanny State than by the shoddy manufacture of these devices. They should work much better than they do. Not rocket science. I would use a swinging gate with the 2 prongs 20 degrees askew, you insert the plug at that angle and twist it straight to move the gate and line up the slots. Pivot point would be the ground pin.
– Harper
3 hours ago
4
I agree with @Harper; requiring the safety feature is valuable, but the implementation is abysmal. My Lutron outlets are nigh impossible to use without a WHOLE lot of force. Why, why, why?
– Daniel Griscom
3 hours ago
3
@Harper I have one TR (not required by code at the time, but I added it because I actually wanted it because I had a little kid (now in college!) at the time) and it works great because it is the angle/twist type. I suspect the manufacturers have moved to the crummy type so that they can use the exact same (very cheap) mechanism for regular & GFCI - the twist won't fit on a GFCI.
– manassehkatz
2 hours ago
1
Yeah they should be better. I find that they do work better with time. The first use is often a struggle that it really shouldn't be.
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
5
5
I am less troubled by the Nanny State than by the shoddy manufacture of these devices. They should work much better than they do. Not rocket science. I would use a swinging gate with the 2 prongs 20 degrees askew, you insert the plug at that angle and twist it straight to move the gate and line up the slots. Pivot point would be the ground pin.
– Harper
3 hours ago
I am less troubled by the Nanny State than by the shoddy manufacture of these devices. They should work much better than they do. Not rocket science. I would use a swinging gate with the 2 prongs 20 degrees askew, you insert the plug at that angle and twist it straight to move the gate and line up the slots. Pivot point would be the ground pin.
– Harper
3 hours ago
4
4
I agree with @Harper; requiring the safety feature is valuable, but the implementation is abysmal. My Lutron outlets are nigh impossible to use without a WHOLE lot of force. Why, why, why?
– Daniel Griscom
3 hours ago
I agree with @Harper; requiring the safety feature is valuable, but the implementation is abysmal. My Lutron outlets are nigh impossible to use without a WHOLE lot of force. Why, why, why?
– Daniel Griscom
3 hours ago
3
3
@Harper I have one TR (not required by code at the time, but I added it because I actually wanted it because I had a little kid (now in college!) at the time) and it works great because it is the angle/twist type. I suspect the manufacturers have moved to the crummy type so that they can use the exact same (very cheap) mechanism for regular & GFCI - the twist won't fit on a GFCI.
– manassehkatz
2 hours ago
@Harper I have one TR (not required by code at the time, but I added it because I actually wanted it because I had a little kid (now in college!) at the time) and it works great because it is the angle/twist type. I suspect the manufacturers have moved to the crummy type so that they can use the exact same (very cheap) mechanism for regular & GFCI - the twist won't fit on a GFCI.
– manassehkatz
2 hours ago
1
1
Yeah they should be better. I find that they do work better with time. The first use is often a struggle that it really shouldn't be.
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
Yeah they should be better. I find that they do work better with time. The first use is often a struggle that it really shouldn't be.
– Joe Fala
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Lore is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Lore is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Lore is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Lore is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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What's with the two holes in the middle, on both sides of the test & reset buttons? Foreign plug adapter? With no guards to prevent things being stuck inside?
– Xen2050
31 mins ago