Preventing loose receptacles

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ericsarratt

ericsarratt

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Location
Lawndale, Cullowhee & Blounts Creek NC
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Utility Contractor, HVAC Service Tech, Septic Installer & Subsurface Operator, Plumber
I am currently staying in a nice hotel on vacation. I have noticed that all the receptacles are loose--the socket moves into the wall when I insert a plug.

Is this caused by shoddy installation?
Do plastic receptacle boxes tend to do this?
Are metal receptacle boxes better?
Is there a trick to installing the receptacle box to prevent this from happening?
 
ericsarratt said:
I am currently staying in a nice hotel on vacation. I have noticed that all the receptacles are loose--the socket moves into the wall when I insert a plug.

Is this caused by shoddy installation?
Do plastic receptacle boxes tend to do this?
Are metal receptacle boxes better?
Is there a trick to installing the receptacle box to prevent this from happening?
Click to expand...
Skilled and caring personnel.
 
That reminds me of when I was a union apprentice many years ago. I was working on a new home development when the foreman mentioned to a journeyman who was doing the finish. You need to speed up your work. I heard latter that when they started showing the new homes some of the devices were not wired.
 
ericsarratt said:
I am currently staying in a nice hotel on vacation. I have noticed that all the receptacles are loose--the socket moves into the wall when I insert a plug.

Is this caused by shoddy installation?
Do plastic receptacle boxes tend to do this?
Are metal receptacle boxes better?
Is there a trick to installing the receptacle box to prevent this from happening?
Click to expand...
Maybe
No
No
No
JMHO.

Ron
 
The biggest reason is that the yoke of a receptacle is barely long enough to rest on drywall that's been cut out with a RotoZip (router) and 1/8" bit. Plus, the strap has give (flex)

And then if the box isn't cut out as tight and careful as possible, The 1/8" gap turns into 3/32"

Add to that, the boxes are set too far back. If the box is fastened tight and set out at the face of the wall, there wouldn't be any real give.

But even with the box too far back, if it's reasonably correct the ears can be bant back for support.

So the short answer, there's no real fix because it would take reshaping the whole industry

As a note - we have one municipality here that doesn't tolerate give. What I do there is use a 6-32 nut on the screw, behind the yoke if I need support
 
James L said:
The biggest reason is that the yoke of a receptacle is barely long enough to rest on drywall that's been cut out with a RotoZip (router) and 1/8" bit. Plus, the strap has give (flex)

And then if the box isn't cut out as tight and careful as possible, The 1/8" gap turns into 3/32"

Add to that, the boxes are set too far back. If the box is fastened tight and set out at the face of the wall, there wouldn't be any real give.

But even with the box too far back, if it's reasonably correct the ears can be bant back for support.

So the short answer, there's no real fix because it would take reshaping the whole industry

As a note - we have one municipality here that doesn't tolerate give. What I do there is use a 6-32 nut on the screw, behind the yoke if I need support
Click to expand...
Bingo! Thanks!
 
It will not help for being loose at inspection, but if the problem is that the ears are not bearing on the wall surface, letting the device push back. then drawing the device forward with the cover mounting screw(s) will take care of that.
However, I am sure that the covers, especially plastic ones, are tested and rated for that purpose. :(
Correction: ...are NOT tested....
 
Last edited:
brantmacga said:
You would use something like Ideal caterpillars behind the yoke to support it against the box.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Problem there is the thickness. What do you do if you need 3-1/2 of them? That's what I ran into. 3 wasn't thick enough so it didn't prevent flex, 4 was too thick and the plate didn't touch the wall

Best thing I've found is using a nut
 
Actually, I'll correct myself. The best thing I've used is Legrand Adorne receptacles. I wired several new homes for an investor who loves them. They have a full metal back plate which rests on drywall on all 4 sides.Screenshot_20230812_205611_Chrome.jpg
 
GoldDigger said:
It will not help for being loose at inspection, but if the problem is that the ears are not bearing on the wall surface, letting the device push back. then drawing the device forward with the cover mounting screw(s) will take care of that.
Click to expand...
Metal, maybe, but not plastic, unless you're very gentle and wiggle the plug as you push it in.

However, I am sure that the covers, especially plastic ones, are tested and rated for that purpose. :(
Click to expand...
Either the crew hole will break away or the plate will break. Unbreakable plates will bend in.
 
James L said:
Actually, I'll correct myself. The best thing I've used is Legrand Adorne receptacles. I wired several new homes for an investor who loves them. They have a full metal back plate which rests on drywall on all 4 sides.View attachment 2566904
Click to expand...
I give them credit for trying something new. We have a designer who likes to spec them in.

But I've been unimpressed when we've installed the Adorn. The quality seems below Lutron or Leviton. The "grounds in" layout make them less functional in some applications. Their dimmer lineup is all over the board so trying to match the same look throughout a house with different load types is a mess.

Don't get me started on their under cabinet products

Sorry. I guess I have opinions.

Rob G, Seattle
 
James L said:
Problem there is the thickness. What do you do if you need 3-1/2 of them? That's what I ran into. 3 wasn't thick enough so it didn't prevent flex, 4 was too thick and the plate didn't touch the wall

Best thing I've found is using a nut
Click to expand...
I have used the small Buchannon crimp sleeves if it was set back too far.
 
James L said:
Problem there is the thickness. What do you do if you need 3-1/2 of them? That's what I ran into. 3 wasn't thick enough so it didn't prevent flex, 4 was too thick and the plate didn't touch the wall
Click to expand...
Break off the ears to use as washers.
 
Is the receptacle loose in the box, or is the box loose in the wall? Either can cause the receptacle to feel poorly mounted.

Steel box mounted to the studs with receptacle snugged to the box itself: there is no wiggle at all. But this is a more expensive, time consuming installation that is often not necessary.

Jon
 
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