Duplex outlets too stiff...

[redwrench60]

Who makes a non GFI, non TR duplex outlet that my wife won't have to use pliers to plug and unplug things with? I even find some of them objectionable trying to unplug those little smooth iPhone chargers that have nothing to really grip onto. There's a couple that seem like they're going to rip the box from the wall.

I've tried a few of the usual everybody grade **** that HD/Lowes carries and it's all about the same.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Who makes a non GFI, non TR duplex outlet that my wife won't have to use pliers to plug and unplug things with? I even find some of them objectionable trying to unplug those little smooth iPhone chargers that have nothing to really grip onto. There's a couple that seem like they're going to rip the box from the wall.

I've tried a few of the usual everybody grade **** that HD/Lowes carries and it's all about the same.

Get a spec/professional grade non TR outlet. Home depot sells them. Theyre about $2 ea. i just bought some the other day

 

[mobiledynamics]

I dunno if that will help the OP. I have a couple of TR in the kids bedroom and the pullout IMO is just the same like a cheap 50 cent receptacle compare to a commercial / industrial spec unit

 

[kmccorm2000]

Turn off the power and use a small screwdriver to loosen up the internal contacts a bit.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Turn off the power and use a small screwdriver to loosen up the internal contacts a bit.

Ummm thats a BIG N.O.! Thats one of the worst ideas Ive ever read on here!

U have any idea how many outlets Ive replaced because of loose contacts when I use to do service calls?

I went through 4-5 boxes(10ea) of outlets per week!

 

[reader2580]

I find that the commercial grade outlets are really hard to plug to plug anything into. I find the 50 cent cheapies are the easiest to plug things into.

Most of the outlets in my house were dangerously loose when I bought the house, but I replaced them all with new ones. I still need to replace the outlets in the garage as some of them the plugs will fall out.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Its a catch 22. If the outlets are loose enough for someone with disabilities or weak hands to pull the plug out, then they are so loose that you don't have good contact. Receptacles have become better over the years as far as good contact with the plugs, but that doesn't help your wife's situation at all. You basically need some cheapie receptacles and replace them when they become too loose.

Me, I prefer difficult to unplug from, as I know I have a good positive contact, but that doesn't work for everyone.

Charles

 

[teamextreme]

Ummm thats a BIG N.O.! Thats one of the worst ideas Ive ever read on here!

U have any idea how many outlets Ive replaced because of loose contacts when I use to do service calls?

I went through 4-5 boxes(10ea) of outlets per week!

Not only that, but you would be tweaking the wrong part. The TR part is what makes it hard to plug things in, which is not caused by the electrical contacts which is what you would be tweaking, but by the plastic **** in front of them.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Not only that, but you would be tweaking the wrong part. The TR part is what makes it hard to plug things in, which is not caused by the electrical contacts which is what you would be tweaking, but by the plastic **** in front of them.

Well, Interestingly enough on one end of our kitchen counter where we plug the iPads, Phones etc, the recep is exactly as the OP describes VERY Stiff. Its a NON-TR plug, but it needs to be a GFCI. No doubt there is good contact there but I was debating using some Dielectric grease to smooth things out...

 

[Commendatore]

Turn off the power and use a small screwdriver to loosen up the internal contacts a bit.

Nah, just do one side at a time and leave the power on.

 

[redwrench60]

I just hate to see her rocking a plug up and down while pulling them out with pliers and I've told her to knock it off but.....well you know.

Spreading the terminals with a screwdriver seems like a bad idea but what about Spudland's idea of some di-grease on the prongs? Anyone see any harm in that?

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

You need to where them out a little bit 1st.

 

[redwrench60]

You need to where them out a little bit 1st.

Yeah but I want it like Burger King. My way right away!

 

[WhiffySpark]

How about usb receptacles where you usually use chargers?

 

[redwrench60]

How about usb receptacles where you usually use chargers?

Not a bad idea. I may have to investigate that. Any preferences?

 

[Spudland_Dave]

How about usb receptacles where you usually use chargers?

I would have done that by now if I could, because they are in the kitchen, of course, the outlet we use to charge is the GFCI one...is there a GFCI/USB combo yet?...I used the Leviton versions in my shop over my workbench for that reason.

 

[WhiffySpark]

No idea. I've been looking myself

 

[toplessHO]

leviton makes some
both combo and USB only
but they wont be GFCI to use near the sink
so you may need to cut in another box to add that.
Or possibly use a power strip.
Why do you have to unplug so often?
buy a spare charger for the other uses and leave that one in place.

 

[redwrench60]

leviton makes some
both combo and USB only
but they wont be GFCI to use near the sink
so you may need to cut in another box to add that.
Or possibly use a power strip.
Why do you have to unplug so often?
buy a spare charger for the other uses and leave that one in place.

Seems like there's a couple places in the house that get high traffic like the far corner of the kitchen counter, always a Kindle, iphone, camera, some toy, or toaster/croc pot plugged in there and same thing at the one next to the computer desk.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Why do you have to unplug so often?

I/We have always gotten in the habit of unplugging stuff when not in use...that's EVERYTHING...Coffee Pots, chargers, everything & anything. Honestly the only thing we leave plugged in are the 2 TV's and the wireless router and modem. Phantom power draw isn't an issue in our house

I'm gonna try some dielectric grease...cant see why it wouldn't work....

 

[abk241]

Who makes a non GFI, non TR duplex outlet that my wife won't have to use pliers to plug and unplug things with? I even find some of them objectionable trying to unplug those little smooth iPhone chargers that have nothing to really grip onto. There's a couple that seem like they're going to rip the box from the wall.

I've tried a few of the usual everybody grade **** that HD/Lowes carries and it's all about the same.

I was having the same problem with those smooth apple cubes. Went to Lowes & HD with the cube in hand and could not find any GFCI receptacles (tried both TR & non TR) that made it easier to unplug the charger.
Sooo...I did a little research on the iPhone charger (mine is for a 5s) and this is what I found out:

• The charger has short circuit protection built in, so it is supposed to be protected if the phone end of the cable finds itself shorted out.
• The charger itself has minimal current draw when not charging - If there is an actual spec for that I could not find it.

I now leave the sucker plugged in all the time. I'm not about to be totally stupid with the cable so I've found a spot to park it where it is least likely to be in my way, get tangled up in a fork, or smashed by pots & pans.

 

[hh76]

I/We have always gotten in the habit of unplugging stuff when not in use...that's EVERYTHING...Coffee Pots, chargers, everything & anything. Honestly the only thing we leave plugged in are the 2 TV's and the wireless router and modem. Phantom power draw isn't an issue in our house

I'm gonna try some dielectric grease...cant see why it wouldn't work....

Won't the grease get all over everything?

 

[Slowgsr]

Won't the grease get all over everything?

Yes.

keep that stuff on your battery terminals and out of the house receptacles.

Residential grade, non tamper hubbel stuff it's easy in/out the spec grade is tougher. Fyi here in Canada 50 cents ressy grade,92 cents spec. Wholesale anyways.

Hd is over priced on devices and plateS, but cheaper then the supplier on othrrs

 

[redwrench60]

Well I ended up installing a couple USB recepticals in the normall device charging areas. They have two USB outlets and one TR outlet each. Solves the problem best I can tell. We'll see how it does long term.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Check out the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area. They might have used or NOS that have been donated that aren't the TR type that would be easier to use.

I also second the notion of getting the outlets with the USB port built in.

I keep saying that if I ever build a house, every outlet in the kitchen, bathrooms, either side of the bed, any office, in the living room, and in the garage is going to have at least a PAIR of duplex outlets. The second one will have lots of powered USB ports. Either side of the bed I'm going to put in three duplex outlets. Can't have enough places to plug unexpected stuff in. I don't like power strips and I don't like this six outlet things to plug into the duplex outlet.