#Receptacle wallplate how to

See ELECTRICAL BOX RECESSED DEPTH IN WALLS for details on how to avoid creating that problem or how to fix it by bringing the device forward to the plane of the finished wall surface before the cover plate is installed. It is precisely this case that invites a broken cover plate when the cover screws are tightened during installation. Watch out: particularly because I have often found glass and marble receptacle covers installed in bathrooms into which mirrors or marble wall coverings were installed after the original construction and electrical work, the electrical device, switch or receptacle is very often recessed in the wall. Fragile Receptacle or Switch Faceplates Easily Damaged / Brokenīelow: examples of fragile faceplates: glass/mirror receptacle cover, a ceramic receptacle cover, and a Carrara marble electrical receptacle cover. Of the four receptacle covers shown above, the first three (brass plated steel, painted steel, and nylon) will not be easily damaged nor broken by over-tightening the center mounting screw.īakelite receptacle covers are easily damaged or broken by an over-tightened mounting screw and possibly also by impact.Įven a rather high-torqued faceplate mounting screw won't break a typical plastic receptacle or switch cover unless the device itself (the receptacle or switch) is also recessed into the electrical box or below the plane of the wall surface. Below are some examples of just a few of the many different materials used to produce electrical outlet covers.

#Receptacle wallplate crack

However nylon switch and receptacle cover plates, currently the most-widely-sold form, are very flexible and will not crack when flexed by tightening the screw. Receptacle Box Cover Plates Metal & nylon receptacle covers resist breakage, but metal is electrically conductive We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. Electrical receptacles (also called electrical outlets or 'plugs' or 'sockets') are simple devices that are easy to install, but there are details to get right if you want to be safe.

#Receptacle wallplate series

This article series describes how to choose, locate, and wire an electrical receptacle in a home.

This is a companion article to our discussion of the argument about whether electrical receptacles should be installed 'ground-up' or 'ground-down' - exploring the argument that a metal faceplate may drop and short against the connectors of a wall plug. We list the common materials used for faceplates and compare features of durability, fire safety, and damage resistance of each. Here we review opinions of electricians and research authorities on the different types, materials, safety and performance of the face plates or cover plates used on electrical receptacles, popularly referred to as 'wall plug outlets'.

Types of electrical receptacle faceplates or cover plates:

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