Broken Receptacle Grounding pins???

[gk351]

Hey everyone, I work at Nellis AFB, and we have a growing problem. Our Safety office on base has for about 6 months now, been writing up violations about the small piece of plastic on the bottom of the ground on 120V receptacles being broken and they tell us we muct replace them. We have changed out at least 1000, and we have more coming in weekly. Our argument is, it poses no safety threat, it is the ground pin, if any other part of the receptacle is busted, we will replace that no problem. We are looking for some professional opinions. Remember this, it is your taxpayers money paying for these receptacles that are being replaced for really no reason. Whats everyones opinion...do they really need replaced?

 

[George Stolz]

Are the receptacles still making firm connections without it?

Seems a little odd for a receptacle to begin breaking down if it's not already pretty used up...?

 

[brian john]

Jerk down on the cord, happens all the time. Pull the attachment cap out properly and this will not happen.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Jerk down on the cord, happens all the time. Pull the attachment cap out properly and this will not happen.

I agree--- I don't believe the broken plastic is really a safety issue but in a society were we have to Cover Our Butts I can see why they want it changed.

 

[S'mise]

groundless

groundless

While I agree that this does not pose a serious safety concern, I agree that they should be replaced. The missing piece of plastic causes the ground pin to wiggle (slightly) causing the contact to loosen and the whole thing to go bad. It could be argued that the insulating properties are also degraded. I suggest using a better "spec grade" or better receptacle that will stand-up to the hard usage that is causing them to fail early. After all, the money is in in your labor to replace them, not the cost of the plug.

 

[gk351]

The ground is seating grounding pins just fine, its just that little piece of plastic at the bottom is what they are concerned with. These arent electricians writing these up either, its some joe blow who doesnt know anything about electrical.

 

[Davis9]

Not to start a flame war, but..... Would (assuming that ground down now) a change to ground up help? Just a thought, maybe the pressure down with the ground pin up wouldn't break so easily.

Tom

Sorry for I mentioned a taboo subject, but thought it may help.

I hate taxes.

 

[gk351]

Yes that is our current fix for right now is to put to the grounds up.....just kinda curious if the broken ones should be fixed or not

 

[S'mise]

Use Spec Grade

Use Spec Grade

Yes it is a code violation of 110.12(C) Integrity of electrical equiptment and connections; Their shall be no damaged parts..........such as parts that are broken. If the AHJ wants to be a prick he could find other violations such as 250.4(A)(5) effective ground fault current path. BTW the AHJ is likely the company you work for. (Military?) I would do what they say as long as its safe, they can name whatever bozo the want to enforce things because they have jurisdiction. Like I said, why not use a better grade so they dont keep breaking? They can range from 10c to $10 lots of choices in quality.

BTW, if someone was to stick their pinky in that broken ground hole at the same time something down stream was to have a groung fault, someone could get electricuted. Stranger things have happened.

 

[iwire]

Change them out and have you tried using a better grade receptacle?

BTW, if someone was to stick their pinky in that broken ground hole at the same time something down stream was to have a groung fault, someone could get electricuted.

That possibility is no greater than touching a metal faceplate or any grounded objects.

 

[infinity]

IMO this sounds like a farce. That little piece of plastic will have nothing to do with the metal contact on the three prongs inserted into the receptacle. Glad to see that someone is questioning the complete waste of taxpayer money.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

John,

Their shall be no damaged parts..........such as parts that are broken.

You left out a number of words that are very inportant to the application of the code section that you cited.

There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment such as parts that are broken; bent; cut; or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating.

I don't see a problem with this missing piece of plastic.
Don

 

[gk351]

We really dont use cheap receptacles, usually either Pass and Seymour, Hubbell, or Leviton. But its the older outlets in our facilities that are breaking. Someone hit it right on the nose....We believe it is from jerking down on cords when they are plugged in.

 

[muskiedog]

I site it

I site it

It can cause arcing if the plug is not seated properly. Burn marks on outlet. The damage happens usually from the janitor pulling the cord from down the hallway. I have not had any damaged since I put in training in place on how to unplug equipment at the recepticle.

National Electrical Code 110-12 (c) Integrity of Electrical Equipment and Connections states: ?Internal parts of electrical equipment shall not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials. There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment such as parts that are broken, bent, cut, deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating or contaminated by paint, plaster, cleaner, or abrasives.?

 

[S'mise]

I know I am splitting hairs but if the AHJ wants to nit-pick, yes it is a violation. It is his opinion if this broken equiptment adversely affecs the safe operation or the mechanical strenth of the device. What about following the manufactures instructions? Id be willing to bet they would say it needs to be replaced.:wink:

Yes, I guess your right that the exposed ground pin isnt any real safety concern. Bottom line use a better recpt grade. like i said the $$ is in labor.

 

[jack horner]

Hey everyone, I work at Nellis AFB, and we have a growing problem. Our Safety office on base has for about 6 months now, been writing up violations about the small piece of plastic on the bottom of the ground on 120V receptacles being broken and they tell us we muct replace them. We have changed out at least 1000, and we have more coming in weekly. Our argument is, it poses no safety threat, it is the ground pin, if any other part of the receptacle is busted, we will replace that no problem. We are looking for some professional opinions. Remember this, it is your taxpayers money paying for these receptacles that are being replaced for really no reason. Whats everyones opinion...do they really need replaced?

Who cares! A few broken pins here and there and they still work. As a tax how much has this cost me?

 

[pismo]

I suspect the receptacles cost the taxpayers somewhere in the $1000 range.

 

[S'mise]

Cant cost more than those paper clips

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

I have not had any damaged since I put in training in place on how to unplug equipment at the recepticle.

Uh... you said this is an air-force base? What's next, teaching NASA how to flush?

 

[jaylectricity]

Uh... you said this is an air-force base? What's next, teaching NASA how to flush?

You're talking about TWO organizations that know how to flush...money down the drain. But this is getting way off topic.

If your superiors are telling you to replace them, replace them. Offer to provide the plugs for them. Go buy the best grade possible for $5 a piece and then ask them to compensate you based on their previous invoices.

#1 You are saving them money because you are ignoring inflation.
#2 I'm pretty sure its Form 7655AF240/120