Wiring device preference?

[peter d]

I prefer P&S. I like Cooper as well. Don't get me started on Leviton. :roll:

[jeff43222]

P&S is what I prefer to use. I don't have much experience with Cooper. I can't discuss my opinion on Leviton products without resorting to profanity, so I'll leave it at that. :mrgreen:

[sparky_magoo]

I prefer P&S. I like Cooper as well. Don't get me started on Leviton. :roll:

I agree 100%. I am tired of Leviton failures.

[tonyi]

IMO, Leviton's screws are too soft and prone to stripping. Since PS changed the design of the switch bodies from glued to the snap together lock tab I don't bust as many during install anymore.

The old Hubble's were nice.

[brian wisemiller]

One man shop here too. P&S is great....Intermatic timers are unbeleiveably bad....the digital kind to replace a switch with.

[highkvoltage]

Pass and Seymour or Hubbell. Nothing else. To many call backs with Leviton and the cheaper brands. Totally agree with jeff. I installed 4 Leviton GFCI recepticales on a remodel last summer. 3 failed within a month. The call backs took away any real profit. I have never had to go back and change out P&S or Hubbell.

[jes25]

I HATE the ground screws on Leviton GFCI's!

[shocker3218]

The first time I bought some Leviton for a job, about 50% of the switches didn't work. Ive never gone back for seconds. Most of my builders prefer Light almond color, and the big box store seem to not carry them.

[jeff43222]

I don't know if you have Menards where you are, but they carry a pretty good assortment of P&S devices in light almond. Menards is also significantly cheaper than the one local supply house that carries P&S.

[peter d]

I wish that Home Depot would drop the Leviton junk in favor of P&S.

[frenchelectrican]

I used the P&S alot. it is better qualinty than other devices i been using for many years [ just dont point me with {beepped} leviton devces and konck off brands ]


but instering twist i did check the prices for the devices between my electrical supply and big box store there is not much diffrence there.

Merci, Marc

[iwire]

Hubbell.

[j_erickson]

For residential, I think P&S is the best device based on cost: quality ratio. However, I think the Leviton installs easier. We used Leviton all through the 80's and 90's. We then switched to P&S. Then to Cooper. We're back to Leviton. Some of my guys started with either Cooper or P&S, and they all prefer Leviton, with no preconceived notions. As far as failures, they have all failed at about the same rate. We use the commercial/ spec grade for resi.

[frank_n]

I get P&S from my supplier and Cooper from Lowes after hours.

[peter d]

I get P&S from my supplier and Cooper from Lowes after hours.

Same here.

We have almost no suppliers that carry Cooper in my area, so I'm forced to go to Lowes, which actually isn't that bad.

[mark32]

Wow, I thought everyone liked Leviton, this is an eye opener. Maybe I'll try some P&S next time I buy devices. Shocker, you said that nearly 50% of your Leviton switches didn't work, that's incredible. Are you saying the internals were manufactured incorrectly? Maybe one of your helpers back over them with the truck? As far as the others who mentioned failures with Leviton, are you talking about GFCI's or switches and receptacles as well? Failure meaning stripped screws and GFCI's being overly sensitive? I showed this post to a fellow co-worker who has worked in supply houses for 15 years and he's also surprised by all the negativity towards Leviton.

[jeff43222]

I'm not. I find Leviton products poorly designed and made of inferior materials. I'll go out of my way to buy P&S rather than deal with Leviton junk. The ironic thing is that P&S stuff is usually cheaper than Leviton. I'd use P&S even if it cost more.

[davidv]

korean made, universal grounding type, insert typre wire terminations, really versatile, clients love it.

[tshea]

Come on now--
I go out of my way to find Circle F :shock:

[peter d]

Come on now--
I go out of my way to find Circle F :shock:

oooppps...I forgot to to put that one on the list. :oops: :lol:

I also forgot Despard....nevermind...that's owned by P&S now. :D

[peter d]

I showed this post to a fellow co-worker who has worked in supply houses for 15 years and he's also surprised by all the negativity towards Leviton.

Several years ago, I had 3 Leviton 3-ways go bad out of a single box. I vowed never to buy Leviton 3 ways again. Then the single poles started coming in with a "mushy" feeling to them. The outlets are bad too.....they aren't welded like the P&S & Cooper, just riveted together.

And the GFCI's are awful. The bend and flex when you tighten the screws because the back isn't welded to the front like the Cooper and P&S gfci's. They are still using the antiquated ground screw, while both Cooper and P&S have moved to a pressure plate for the ground.

Both P&S and Cooper have substantially improved their decorator devices, adding the pressure plate terminals and making the switch action a lot better. Leviton....no improvements..

Leviton wall plates have a nasty rough edge on them from a poor injection molding process. They look horrible right out of the box.


I could go on and on about my dissatisfaction with Leviton.

Bottom line, I am done with Leviton unless they make some substantial improvements to their devices on par with Cooper and P&S.

[peter d]

One more thing: all the major suppliers in my area (the regional chains, the semi-nationals, and a few independents) carry P&S. That says something, IMO.