Steel City RS-19-CC

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

sacspark

Member
On any Steel City 4" square raised cover that will hold a duplex receptacle, RS-19-CC for example, there are two metal tabs. What are they for? The asterik in the PDF reads "Now manufactured to meet new code C4 and to conform to the 1996 N.E.C. change."

What was the change?

I've noticed that RACO and other covers don't have the tabs.

Also, I know the older covers only held the duplex receptacle using the center screw but now they hold it using two. Yet they still offer the option of a center-mounted screw and typically no screw for that style of mounting is included. Why is that hole still there and is it ever used?

rs19_sc1.jpg
 
The tabs are to be used as nuts for the 6-32 screws in the receptacle. Per section 406.4(C) receptacles mounted to and supported by a cover shall be held rigidly against the cover by more than one screw
 
SEO said:
The tabs are to be used as nuts for the 6-32 screws in the receptacle. Per section 406.4(C) receptacles mounted to and supported by a cover shall be held rigidly against the cover by more than one screw
Click to expand...

I see. So you just bend them back to line up with each screw hole? Instead of other brands of covers which include a screw and nut that you have to take apart and put back in...
 
sacspark said:
I see. So you just bend them back to line up with each screw hole? Instead of other brands of covers which include a screw and nut that you have to take apart and put back in...
Click to expand...

no you break them free and pull the 6-32s out of the recept. and those slip onto the recept. you align the threaded hole with the oval hole on the device and run the screw through the cover into the threaded hole. you could accomplish the same thing with a nut, but it clips onto the receptacle so there are less parts to drop during assembly... I hope that makes sense.....
 
sacspark said:
On any Steel City 4" square raised cover that will hold a duplex receptacle, RS-19-CC for example, there are two metal tabs. What are they for? The asterik in the PDF reads "Now manufactured to meet new code C4 and to conform to the 1996 N.E.C. change."

What was the change?
Click to expand...
The two metal tabs break off, slide onto the yoke, and serve as the nuts for the through-the-cover device screws.

I don't remember or have access to the 1996 NEC, but the 2008 reference is 406.4(C). It essentially required more than one screw for mounting a receptacle to a cover. It now reads one-screw mounting is permittied provided the cover is listed for such.

sacspark said:
I've noticed that RACO and other covers don't have the tabs.
Click to expand...
Some provide hex nuts. Some even provide another set of screws.

sacspark said:
Also, I know the older covers only held the duplex receptacle using the center screw but now they hold it using two. Yet they still offer the option of a center-mounted screw and typically no screw for that style of mounting is included. Why is that hole still there and is it ever used?
Click to expand...
The one in your linked photo appears to come with the center screw supplied. Again, some manufacturers provide the center screws, some don't.

I haven't used any in years so I'm unsure if there are any listed for one-screw mounting.

I figured someone would post an answer before I got this typed... all the same, here it is in its entirety.
 
jeremysterling said:
I've tried that and wound up putting the tab on the back side of the yoke and tightening.
Click to expand...
As I recall, I did too!!! I was merely stating how it supposed[ly] to be done.

jeremysterling said:
How do you "slide" the tab onto the yoke?
Click to expand...
I believe you break off the plaster ears and slide on from the side. There isn't enough flat area in the cover to slide it on the end. PITA with self-grounding recepts.
 
Receptacles required to be held to the cover by more than one screw was new in the 1993 NEC section 410-56(i).
 
SEO said:
Receptacles required to be held to the cover by more than one screw was new in the 1993 NEC section 410-56(i).
Click to expand...

If I recall correctly, I believe there was some hoopdeedoo about allowing mfg's to deplete there existing stock. As I understand it, they had piles and piles of the center-hole ones already made.
 
Smart $ said:
If I recall correctly, I believe there was some hoopdeedoo about allowing mfg's to deplete there existing stock. As I understand it, they had piles and piles of the center-hole ones already made.
Click to expand...
I've still got some but that doesn't relieve me from 406.4(C) nor did it when the 1993 NEC went into effect in my area.
2008 NEC 406.4(C) Receptacles Mounted on Covers. Receptacles mounted to and supported by a cover shall be held rigidly against the cover by more than one screw or shall be a device assembly or box cover listed and identified for securing by a single screw.
Click to expand...
 
It does relieve you from it. Those RS covers are listed to hold the device by one screw. They now no longer list them that way.
 
al hildenbrand said:
As I recall, my AHJs were of the opinions that drilling a hole for a screw and nut was the least I could do.
Click to expand...

I remember those days. I had some inspectors tell me to drill the holes and others say that they were listed for the application. It was easier to drill the holes and not argue with the inspector. I didn't want them to give my job the white glove treatment.
 
paul said:
It does relieve you from it. Those RS covers are listed to hold the device by one screw. They now no longer list them that way.
Click to expand...
No, they were never listed of tested for that purpose. Yes, they were made that way and used that way for years, but the single screw used to support the receptacle was never evaluated as part of the listing process of either the cover or the receptacle.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top