Painting receptacles and switches.

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If the painting is done carefully and not affecting the doors of the receptacle or the operation of a switch, then there isn't an issue, IMO. However, something like the photo in the post above is a definite no-no.
 
romex jockey said:
leviton , which i believe was followed by other manufacturers

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i can recall the supply houses giving out a color key, like paint shops. So i guess it's up to us to convince those interior designers (who're all about uber uber) to give us sparks a go at it, vs. the painters....

~RJ~
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OK, my wife is SO not seeing this post! :happysad:
 
If they are TR receptacles - paint shouldn't get into the contact area:)

Well I guess it can get into the EGC opening.
 
The inspector left a message referring to 110.3 and mentioned that receptacles haven't been tested to be painted over? I don't see anything in that section that would prevent the painting of receptacles. And if UL hasn't taken on the issue of painted receptacles I don't see how that could be used as the reason to fail the job.

The only reasonable argument I can see is 110.12(B) Integrity of Electrical Equipment and Connections: 110.12 Mechanical Execution of Work: "Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars, wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, shall not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues. 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."

In this case, the painters in no way affected the internal parts of the receptacles or switches.

I'm getting ready to state my case to the inspector. Thanks for all of the input, I'll let you know the outcome.
 
110.3 B would only come into play if the manufacturer states in the directions to not paint over the devices. I doubt such language comes with switches and receptacles, however I bet a heatsink cover plate for a 2000 watt dimmer would have it in the instructions to not paint
 
A picture was posted of a hotel or motel. That's usually where you would see painted over receptacles, very low end, multifamilies etc. OP says high end, means to me the painter was extremely diligent, switched to a tiny brush and was very concerned with the integrity of the devices. (haven't come across to many like that personally :happyno:) Maybe so, but what kind of wall paint isn't going to get dirty or chip? If the inspector sees a glob in one device that's it. OP seems to indicate if not for the color you wouldn't even know they were painted. By the way is it an electrical inspector or do all building guy?
 
gadfly56 said:
OK, my wife is SO not seeing this post! :happysad:
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Yours, mine, and all those goofy interior designers

I rode around with my lutron color key ,until i realized they all wanted every room so & so color, and i want so and so style dimmers in baby sh*t brown, etc etc.....special order devicings that came by tortoise tanked a few OC dates on me....:( ~RJ~
 
JFletcher said:
I wonder who comes up with those color names... somebody far more tactful than me. I'd name the 10th 17th and 20th colors baby puke yellow, crime scene red, and rotted pumpkin, respectively.

It was enough a pitb 10 years ago when everyone in hotels wanted light almond... any overstock of those rare colors would certainly wind up in the trash can. And it would be kind of hard calling up the supply house asking for a Pepto-Bismol Pink 3 gang Decora switch plate...
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Dunno JF
seems to me that there's a dif betwixt those 2 color vs 3 color names
i mean, the jobs with the 3 color names have painters rolling up in trucks better than mine....

~RJ~
 
Whatever happened to 110.12? Its not good workmanship to paint a toggle switch or receptacle. Cover Plates are OK to paint, wallpaper, glue on photos whatever. Devices should be left alone.
 
tortuga said:
Whatever happened to 110.12? Its not good workmanship to paint a toggle switch or receptacle. Cover Plates are OK to paint, wallpaper, glue on photos whatever. Devices should be left alone.
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How is this poor workmanship. I don't know any electrician who carries a paint roller around.:jawdrop:
 
I could have sworn that I'd read about devices specifically intended for painting, but my google-fu is not up to the challenge. As I recall, the devices had removable outer covers that could be painted.

The closest I could find were the Leviton 'Renu' line, which have detachable device covers in the many designer colors.
https://www.leviton.com/en/products/brands/renu

IMHO carefully painted devices are not any sort of hazard.

-Jon
 
tortuga said:
Whatever happened to 110.12? Its not good workmanship to paint a toggle switch or receptacle. Cover Plates are OK to paint, wallpaper, glue on photos whatever. Devices should be left alone.
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Sounds like it was pretty good workmanship from the paint job perspective:)
 
tortuga said:
Whatever happened to 110.12? Its not good workmanship to paint a toggle switch or receptacle. Cover Plates are OK to paint, wallpaper, glue on photos whatever. Devices should be left alone.
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just where does it say in the code that painting something is bad workmanship?
 
K8MHZ said:
If the screws get painted so the finish has to be damaged to access the splices in the box or remove the device, would that not be a violation?
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no. I seem to recall the prohibition about damaging finishes has to do with damaging the finish of the building not electrical equipment.

the screws that hold your plastic plates on to the switches and receptacles are usually factory painted to match the cover and that paint seems to come off pretty readily.
 
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