This is for the electrical guys here. We just bought a new home-New construction. Some of the electrical outlets in the bedrooms seem to be blocked. You cannot plug any electrical cord into them. It is like they have a manufacturing defect that left too much plastic in the two slots for the electrical plug. I took the cover plate off and there doesn't seem to be anything different on the inside except that the slots are plugged. Are these a new type of outlet? What am I missing???
- Thread starter SKYBOW
- Start date
According to the National
Electrical Manufacturing Association (NEMA), on average 17 children a
day are treated in the Emergency Room because of injuries from electrical
outlets that are usually a result of them having stuck objects into the slots. While
outlet covers can be used, it's easy to forget to reinsert them after using them, something that's not necessary
with these new outlets which have a shutter system built into them; when
something is plugged in (meaning something is inserted into both holes in the
outlet) the shutter is moved out of the way making the outlet usable. But when
something (like a key or paper clip) is inserted into only one of the holes,
there's a blockage and no live electricity is activated.
Electrical Manufacturing Association (NEMA), on average 17 children a
day are treated in the Emergency Room because of injuries from electrical
outlets that are usually a result of them having stuck objects into the slots. While
outlet covers can be used, it's easy to forget to reinsert them after using them, something that's not necessary
with these new outlets which have a shutter system built into them; when
something is plugged in (meaning something is inserted into both holes in the
outlet) the shutter is moved out of the way making the outlet usable. But when
something (like a key or paper clip) is inserted into only one of the holes,
there's a blockage and no live electricity is activated.
I've been out of the inspection bidness for 4 - 5 years, but the bedroom outlets used to have to be AFCI-protected, for arc faults. The breaker was an arc-fault-interruptor breaker. There might now be some new sort of another bedroom outlet protection device.... dunno. You could ask the local inspector.
Wheatfarmer
Member
Point the plug downward as you push it in.
hysteresis
New User
The receptacles could be of the Tamper Resistant Style. These types are sensitive to how the cord prongs are inserted.
http://www.nfpa.org/safety-informat...rical/tamper-resistant-electrical-receptacles
caterpillar guy
Well-known Member
All this nonsense for the concern of 17 kids per year. More get hurt on other things than that per year. More are killed by any means than that. What nonsense will they come up with next.
Well you build anything idiot proof and they find a better idiot.
I bet that the kids dumb enough to stick things into an outlet learn real fast to not ever do it again.
Here is a simple fact: With over 300 million people in the US figure the odds of injury from this. The linked article states that 2400 kids are injured by electrical shocks from outlets. So here is the math 300,000,000 /2400 = .0000008 percent of the population being injured. So someone in their GREAT wisdom decides that ALL outlets need to be "protected".
Just more creeping Communism to me. There are too many that want to dictate to the entire country what is "safe" and they stack or make up "facts" to support their case.
I bet that the kids dumb enough to stick things into an outlet learn real fast to not ever do it again.
Here is a simple fact: With over 300 million people in the US figure the odds of injury from this. The linked article states that 2400 kids are injured by electrical shocks from outlets. So here is the math 300,000,000 /2400 = .0000008 percent of the population being injured. So someone in their GREAT wisdom decides that ALL outlets need to be "protected".
Just more creeping Communism to me. There are too many that want to dictate to the entire country what is "safe" and they stack or make up "facts" to support their case.
CRIPES, that must make me pretty special 'cause about 1960 when I was a little weeger I stuck one of my Grandma's hairpins in an outlet and got my hand burned before the fuse blew.
WOW, one of 17, that's a pretty elite group!
They took me to the doc for some burn creme, noneone thought of suing anyone, and I am alive to this day with no lingering effects! (Well, at least not PHYSICAL ones, anyway!)
WOW, one of 17, that's a pretty elite group!
They took me to the doc for some burn creme, noneone thought of suing anyone, and I am alive to this day with no lingering effects! (Well, at least not PHYSICAL ones, anyway!)
After you "exercise" them a few times operation may improve. As a past AC Power Distribution Design Engineer who practiced per the NEC I hate to criticize them because their recommendations are to protect lives and prevent fires. Still so many regulations (where a government entity has adopted the NEC) today and with all the Political Correct Police out there its getting hard to do anything some fat cat bureaucrat may think we peasants are too dumb to undertake lol
John T
John T
NoNewParts
Member
sigh
so we gotta start stockpiling old style outlets soon?
usually, required on new, means across the board is next.
pretty silly. require outlets you have to rassle with and apply lots of force............
.....with a cheap import appliance cord plug end?!?
fatigue the junk plug and burn the house down :roll:
so we gotta start stockpiling old style outlets soon?
usually, required on new, means across the board is next.
pretty silly. require outlets you have to rassle with and apply lots of force............
.....with a cheap import appliance cord plug end?!?
fatigue the junk plug and burn the house down :roll:
dr sportster
Well-known Member
If the one life that was saved was your kid you may feel differently.
Owen Aaland
Well-known Member
I had a doctors appointment yesterday and while I was waiting in the examination room I noticed the outlet on the far wall had all the holes closed off. I had not heard of tamper resistant outlets so it is a bit of a coincidence the see this thread so soon after mu first encounter with those outlets.
1948CaseVAI
Well-known Member
As said below, push really hard the first time. Not sure what the safety weenies think they have accomplished, but this is another example of their silliness.
dr sportster
Well-known Member
Your safety weenies are the NFPA amd the primary concern is preventing fire and electrocution. { I know how stupid is that, silly fools]]
Good morning dr, Im in your camp on this one
In many many years of practicing under the NEC plus attendance at several NEC seminars, I learned many changes and updates were the result of a fire or death and their whole purpose is to prevent such tragedies. I also don't consider that as any "silly" cause. Im NOT commenting on how far is too far or excess bureaucratic over reach and regulations, Im ONLY saying as one who used and studied the NEC over a 40 + year career and profession it indeed saves lives if followed. NOTE the NEC has NO legal authority, its only if a town or state etc adopts and approves it that it becomes authority.
Keep safe yall, how you choose to make electrical installations is your decision and your risk as far as Im concerned, do as you please. Being trained and experienced with the NEC and electrical safety and a professional in the field, however, I would choose what the NEC suggests versus some lay untrained electrically challenged Billy Bob or Bubba type of individual.
John T
In many many years of practicing under the NEC plus attendance at several NEC seminars, I learned many changes and updates were the result of a fire or death and their whole purpose is to prevent such tragedies. I also don't consider that as any "silly" cause. Im NOT commenting on how far is too far or excess bureaucratic over reach and regulations, Im ONLY saying as one who used and studied the NEC over a 40 + year career and profession it indeed saves lives if followed. NOTE the NEC has NO legal authority, its only if a town or state etc adopts and approves it that it becomes authority.
Keep safe yall, how you choose to make electrical installations is your decision and your risk as far as Im concerned, do as you please. Being trained and experienced with the NEC and electrical safety and a professional in the field, however, I would choose what the NEC suggests versus some lay untrained electrically challenged Billy Bob or Bubba type of individual.
John T
Yo JD, with all due respect, here's a re post of what I said above, but it fits well here also: Its a free country and people are permitted to make their own choices regarding life safety of themselves or children and grandchildren, but FWIW (NOTHING same as any post here) here are my thoughts.
In many many years of practicing under the NEC plus attendance at several NEC seminars, I learned many changes and updates were the result of a fire or death and their whole purpose is to prevent such tragedies. I have met several on the NEC boards, they are NOT bad people, they are NOT your enemy, they are not out to hurt you but instead save your life, they do NOT make law, only render expert guidelines. I also don't consider that as any "silly" cause. Im NOT commenting on how far is too far or excess bureaucratic over reach and regulations, Im ONLY saying as one who used and studied the NEC over a 40 + year career and profession it indeed saves lives if followed. NOTE the NEC has NO legal authority, its only if a town or state etc adopts and approves it that it becomes authority.
Keep safe yall, how you choose to make electrical installations is your decision and your risk as far as Im concerned, do as you please. Being trained and experienced with the NEC and electrical safety and a professional in the field, however, I would choose what the NEC suggests versus some lay untrained electrically challenged Billy Bob or Bubba type of individual or their know it all non electrician brother in law lol.
John T Retired AC power distribution electrical engineer
In many many years of practicing under the NEC plus attendance at several NEC seminars, I learned many changes and updates were the result of a fire or death and their whole purpose is to prevent such tragedies. I have met several on the NEC boards, they are NOT bad people, they are NOT your enemy, they are not out to hurt you but instead save your life, they do NOT make law, only render expert guidelines. I also don't consider that as any "silly" cause. Im NOT commenting on how far is too far or excess bureaucratic over reach and regulations, Im ONLY saying as one who used and studied the NEC over a 40 + year career and profession it indeed saves lives if followed. NOTE the NEC has NO legal authority, its only if a town or state etc adopts and approves it that it becomes authority.
Keep safe yall, how you choose to make electrical installations is your decision and your risk as far as Im concerned, do as you please. Being trained and experienced with the NEC and electrical safety and a professional in the field, however, I would choose what the NEC suggests versus some lay untrained electrically challenged Billy Bob or Bubba type of individual or their know it all non electrician brother in law lol.
John T Retired AC power distribution electrical engineer
dr sportster
Well-known Member
It certainly is a weak point in safety to have access to the energized system where a child commonly pokes things in and gets shocked or burned. A small inconvenience to the receptacle user [ having to push harder and slide covers aside] is not too much safety nazi mentality in my opinion.
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
>Just more creeping Communism to me.
So capitalists favor juvenile electrocution. I wasn't aware of that. Makes me want to sign up down at the CWP.
So capitalists favor juvenile electrocution. I wasn't aware of that. Makes me want to sign up down at the CWP.
DENNIS MIN
Member
SKYBOW,
What happens when that dangerously electrified pronged cord is to be removed? I believe your fingers are within the same distance that it took to insert it?
Just saying, when do we intervene? Before you plug an item in, or after. Same distance to the demon...
The receptacle shutters may prevent insertion shocks, but it does not address their removal. Now what?
D.
wholly electrically unqualified.
What happens when that dangerously electrified pronged cord is to be removed? I believe your fingers are within the same distance that it took to insert it?
Just saying, when do we intervene? Before you plug an item in, or after. Same distance to the demon...
The receptacle shutters may prevent insertion shocks, but it does not address their removal. Now what?
D.
wholly electrically unqualified.
DENNIS MIN
Member
dr sportster,
If I may pose a question...or two;
What protections do you have when removing a cord/cap from the tamper resistant receptacle? Your fingers are within a fraction of an inch of energized prongs.
I currently think that plugging a cord in is the same "electrical/physical danger proximity" as removing it.
Now, that said, I understand "open" receptacles are an invitation to the untaught.
However, in a safety sense, why not have a similar fret over unplugging an item, chewing on a cord, licking a cord, touching the insulation of said cord, etc. My home has several cords from outlet to device.
What do we do in that circumstance(s)? Each child should not or be able to access a cord, see a cord, touch a cord; any cord that perhaps powers a lamp, alarm clock, tv, dvr, etc.?
Without functionally tested GFCI's at every possible receptacle, why is there not more public outrage at the potential danger?
Willing to listen,
D.
If I may pose a question...or two;
What protections do you have when removing a cord/cap from the tamper resistant receptacle? Your fingers are within a fraction of an inch of energized prongs.
I currently think that plugging a cord in is the same "electrical/physical danger proximity" as removing it.
Now, that said, I understand "open" receptacles are an invitation to the untaught.
However, in a safety sense, why not have a similar fret over unplugging an item, chewing on a cord, licking a cord, touching the insulation of said cord, etc. My home has several cords from outlet to device.
What do we do in that circumstance(s)? Each child should not or be able to access a cord, see a cord, touch a cord; any cord that perhaps powers a lamp, alarm clock, tv, dvr, etc.?
Without functionally tested GFCI's at every possible receptacle, why is there not more public outrage at the potential danger?
Willing to listen,
D.
Your builder, the seller or any local electrician should be able to explain and demonstrate how your specific outlets work. I googled "childproof electrical outlets" and found:
How to Operate a Child Proof Outlet
For adults who know how to properly operate a plug, using a childproof outlet is simple. These outlets do not require the strength or knowledge required to operate most other child proof devices. In order to insert a plug into the receptacle, simply apply equal pressure to both sides simultaneously (as you would normally do) which allows the receptacle’s cover plate to open. Never seen a child proof outlet? Visit the Electrical Safety Foundation International’s website for a virtual demonstration.
How to Operate a Child Proof Outlet
For adults who know how to properly operate a plug, using a childproof outlet is simple. These outlets do not require the strength or knowledge required to operate most other child proof devices. In order to insert a plug into the receptacle, simply apply equal pressure to both sides simultaneously (as you would normally do) which allows the receptacle’s cover plate to open. Never seen a child proof outlet? Visit the Electrical Safety Foundation International’s website for a virtual demonstration.
dr sportster
Well-known Member
The child chewing a cord is addressed by the arc flash protection. As time goes on more protective devices will be required .
SanDogDewey
Member
Children being electrocuted by outlets is rare. Men age 40-59 are much more likely to be killed. A risk hazard analysis would not support protected outlets. New outlets have more moving parts and will fail more frequently. Their use and installation was lobbied for by outlet manufactures.
http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/136139/2009electrocutions.pdf
http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/136139/2009electrocutions.pdf
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