Decora(tor) receptacles for residence

[dwasifar]

My house, like most, is wired with white residential grade receptacles, standard duplex.

I notice that some of them are yellowing, which I didn't think was even possible. They still work fine, but it makes me want to replace them. I've seen advice here not to use residential grade devices, which seems sensible. But if I'm going to do this project, I might go to "decorator" style receptacles. (All the wall switches are already either "decorator" style or else home automation wi-fi enabled devices.)

However, I haven't been able to find 15A decorator receptacles in commercial grade, in any brand. Only residential and industrial grades. Maybe some of you smarter guys can give me a little education here. If you were doing this, what would you use?

 

[cybrdyke]

Momma dont like pulling and yanking to get her vacuum unplugged. Industrial receptacles have much harder pull out than residential. Nice feature for your 100' extension cord, but not so much for momma's stuff.
CD

 

[alfredeneuman]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AUI4ZK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dwasifar]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AUI4ZK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I wonder if they make those without the tamper resistant thing, though.

 

[dwasifar]

Momma dont like pulling and yanking to get her vacuum unplugged. Industrial receptacles have much harder pull out than residential. Nice feature for your 100' extension cord, but not so much for momma's stuff.

I take it you'd use residential grade, then? Do you have a brand preference?

 

[nadogail]

I buy and use the "better" grade stuff at the big box stores and like the Intermediate size trim plates.

 

[flyingblind]

I switched a few to this style
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J3PMU06/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[alfredeneuman]

I wonder if they make those without the tamper resistant thing, though.

They do, but for replacement use they're required anywhere that the current Code requires one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000U3BS9Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[cybrdyke]

I take it you'd use residential grade, then? Do you have a brand preference?

Eaton, Pass & Seymour, Leviton

 

[Metal-Marc]

They still work fine, but it makes me want to replace them. I've seen advice here not to use residential grade devices, which seems sensible. But if I'm going to do this project, I might go to "decorator" style receptacles. (All the wall switches are already either "decorator" style or else home automation wi-fi enabled devices.)

"Decorator"? You want to become a decorator? Grab a sharpie and decorate your own wall plates!



You can decorate light switches too if you're a Star Wars fan!



Express your inner decorator. Be unique.

 

[acer66]

You can decorate light switches too if you're a Star Wars fan!



Express your inner decorator. Be unique.

Nice but ocd kicked in immediately because the screw slots are perpendicular to the switch.

 

[adrenalinejeeper]

We went with this series of Hubbell in our new house and are very happy with them. The electrician was impressed with the quality as well. We had to use tamper resistant, but they come without it too.

These have the nice back wire feature (NOT backstab, back wire straight to the screw terminal) so they are really quick to install.

Hubbell DR15WHI

 

[Zeke]

Nice but ocd kicked in immediately because the screw slots are perpendicular to the switch.

As they should be. You live in a vertical world? I see horizontally and never look straight up. Same for screws. How do you clock your Phillips style?

What I tell people about screws is that they need to be tightened just so, especially in wood. When and where they stop is where they stay. No "just a little extra turn" for me. Just like torquing bolts on an engine, they rotate until the click and you leave them. You might retorque them month later, but no clocking.

As for commercial grade receptacles, you go man. I've never even had a new 89 cent one fail. I wear out extension cord ends in a year. That's where I need to put the extra money. You can't buy a good 12 ga. cord anywhere usual. Hardware stores, HD and box stores. HF are ****.

 

[Metal-Marc]

Just like torquing bolts on an engine, they rotate until the click and you leave them.

Sometimes, you have to turn some more after the "click" dawg.

 

[alfredeneuman]

What I tell people about screws is that they need to be tightened just so, especially in wood.

The difference between "tightened enough" and "cracked" is very slim when dealing with plastic (not nylon) wall plates.

 

[acer66]

As they should be. You live in a vertical world? I see horizontally and never look straight up. Same for screws. How do you clock your Phillips style?

What I tell people about screws is that they need to be tightened just so, especially in wood. When and where they stop is where they stay. No "just a little extra turn" for me. Just like torquing bolts on an engine, they rotate until the click and you leave them. You might retorque them month later, but no clocking.

Well almost every switch, etc. I ever installed had the slots of the flat! head screw in line with the switch or receptacle slots.

If you think that is loopy wait until you see how I line up torx screws with the north star.

 

[sparky 1971]

The difference between "tightened enough" and "cracked" is very slim when dealing with plastic (not nylon) wall plates.

Plastic plates ****, I try to use nylon midsize plates only. About half of the plastic receptacle plates I've taken off were broken. People don't understand that they are better off backing the plate screw out 1/4 turn than trying to tighten it another 1/4 turn to get the slot just right. Last summer I had to special order in a two gang combo plate duplex/single receptacle for a multi voltage copy machine/printer. What came in from P&S was plastic and I managed to break it before I even had a chance to put the stupid thing on.

 

[nadogail]

I like the appearance of the Decora devices but I don’t think they work better than the standard style.

I personally favor the mid size plates for their appearance.

 

[Two Pump Chump]

We went with this series of Hubbell in our new house and are very happy with them. The electrician was impressed with the quality as well. We had to use tamper resistant, but they come without it too.

These have the nice back wire feature (NOT backstab, back wire straight to the screw terminal) so they are really quick to install.

Hubbell DR15WHI

That doesn't look like TR.

 

[Zeke]

Plastic plates ****, I try to use nylon midsize plates only. About half of the plastic receptacle plates I've taken off were broken. People don't understand that they are better off backing the plate screw out 1/4 turn than trying to tighten it another 1/4 turn to get the slot just right. Last summer I had to special order in a two gang combo plate duplex/single receptacle for a multi voltage copy machine/printer. What came in from P&S was plastic and I managed to break it before I even had a chance to put the stupid thing on.

I've bought plenty of those on Amazon. Any flavor.

 

[sparky 1971]

I've bought plenty of those on Amazon. Any flavor.

Plenty of what? These?

https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/wall-plates/legrand-reg-duplex-plastic-1-single-outlet-wall-plate/sp78w/p-1444451227270-c-1489667504662.htm?tid=3374356508617128866&ipos=25&exp=true

I've bought a few but they aren't stocked at the supply houses. And I won't give Amazon any of my money unless it's an only option.

 

[Zeke]

Plenty of what? These?

https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/wall-plates/legrand-reg-duplex-plastic-1-single-outlet-wall-plate/sp78w/p-1444451227270-c-1489667504662.htm?tid=3374356508617128866&ipos=25&exp=true

I've bought a few but they aren't stocked at the supply houses. And I won't give Amazon any of my money unless it's an only option.

Nope, not those. Misread your description of a multi voltage recep, whatever that is. I can't find a pic of anything round.

 

[dave*99]

Plastic plates ****, I try to use nylon midsize plates only. About half of the plastic receptacle plates I've taken off were broken. People don't understand that they are better off backing the plate screw out 1/4 turn than trying to tighten it another 1/4 turn to get the slot just right. Last summer I had to special order in a two gang combo plate duplex/single receptacle for a multi voltage copy machine/printer. What came in from P&S was plastic and I managed to break it before I even had a chance to put the stupid thing on.

I don't disagree... I have used plenty of mid-size plates on Decora stuff. They don't break and they cover up sloppy drywall cut outs.
But I do like the look of the standard smaller plastic plates. I was happy the electrician used them in my house. None are broken and all the screw slots are vertical.

 

[Norcal]

Midsize & jumbo plates look like they are hiding a screw up, I prefer standard thermoplastic plates.

 

[Zeke]

Midsize & jumbo plates look like they are hiding a screw up, I prefer standard thermoplastic plates.

Us old guys would agree but it's all in the eye. Now jumbo is another story.

 

[dave*99]

The thermoplastic plates are nice and flat. Clean crisp look.
The midsize can be kind of flat if you are careful with torque on every screw so as not to distort the face.
Everything is a trade off.

 

[sparky 1971]

Nope, not those. Misread your description of a multi voltage recep, whatever that is. I can't find a pic of anything round.

The copier needed a 120 and a 240 (208 single phase) receptacle.

 

[Bert_]

Never really saw the appeal of decorator devices myself. I do like the better switches and devices in my own house at least. I realize most probably like residential grade in their house. I've replaced switches before because the owner died like the loud "click"

 

[dave*99]

Never really saw the appeal of decorator devices myself. I do like the better switches and devices in my own house at least. I realize most probably like residential grade in their house. I've replaced switches before because the owner died like the loud "click"

Aesthetics aside - one thing I really like about the Decora switches is the ability to hit them with my elbow. I always seem to be carrying something somewhere and my hands are full.

 

[adrenalinejeeper]

That doesn't look like TR.

You are correct, I linked to the non-TR version since the OP didn't want TR.

 

[nadogail]

Aesthetics aside - one thing I really like about the Decora switches is the ability to hit them with my elbow. I always seem to be carrying something somewhere and my hands are full.

I tap the Decora switches with my cane.

 

[ecotec]

Plastic plates ****, I try to use nylon midsize plates only. About half of the plastic receptacle plates I've taken off were broken. People don't understand that they are better off backing the plate screw out 1/4 turn than trying to tighten it another 1/4 turn to get the slot just right. Last summer I had to special order in a two gang combo plate duplex/single receptacle for a multi voltage copy machine/printer. What came in from P&S was plastic and I managed to break it before I even had a chance to put the stupid thing on.

Are the Mulberry metal ones still a thing. I always preferred those.

 

[sparky 1971]

It must be a regional thing. What I've always referred to as a Mulberry was a metal single gang plate with a 7/8" hole (1/2" knockout) in the center. As far as metal plates go, they are still around but for the most part, other than stainless steel, are considered more of a decoration type. The others may be out there, but I haven't looked.

https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/wall-plates/c-1489667504662.htm?rid=tsNR3Vze0u&skipKeywordInCategory=true&Spec_Material_facet=Aluminum&Spec_Material_facet=Cast+Metal&Spec_Material_facet=Cast+metal

 

[dave*99]

Yup Home Depot