To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Exposed work receptacle cover: the light suddenly dawns

D

dwasifar

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2017
Messages
2,101
Recently I noticed a change in design in exposed work covers designed to hold receptacles. They now look like this, with these little tabs projecting into the receptacle holes:

1660436062800.png

I'd see these and idly wonder about them but didn't give it much thought until I actually needed to buy one today. I took it to the work site and got it out to use it, and then thought, Hey, where's the little nuts and bolts to hold the receptacle onto this thing?

And then the light dawned. Those little tabs ARE the nuts. You break them off and use the screws that come already tethered to the receptacle; and the rectangular shape is so that they contact the side of the cover as you start turning the screw, and you don't have to hold them to keep them from turning.

It's a brilliant design, much better than having a little packet with nuts and bolts. Less waste, easier to use. Smart!
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
P

PCustoms

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
23,517
Location
VT
Well I feel like I'm missing something.

I thought the screws from the outlet always screwed through the cover back into the outlet?

Can't say I recall getting screws and nuts with the few I've used.
 
OP
D

dwasifar

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2017
Messages
2,101
PCustoms said:
Well I feel like I'm missing something.

I thought the screws from the outlet always screwed through the cover back into the outlet?

Can't say I recall getting screws and nuts with the few I've used.
Click to expand...

Switches, yes. But outlets, no. Except for the screw(s) to attach the trim plate, receptacles don't have threaded mounting holes.

Receptacles come with mounting screws, but they're just loosely attached to the ears with little pieces of plastic to keep them from falling out as you're installing them.
 
OP
D

dwasifar

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2017
Messages
2,101
Stuff said:
Final product looks strange without the center receptacle screw.
Click to expand...

Years ago, I got some that had ONLY the center screw for mounting the device to the cover. That was a deeply ****** design. You could feel the receptacle bending as you inserted a plug.
 
OP
D

dwasifar

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2017
Messages
2,101
AA/FC said:
I preferred when those cover plates came in a plastic bag with actual real nuts and the openings in the metal plate had clean stamped edges..... instead of sharp spots where the sheet metal nuts were twisted off.
Click to expand...

But don't you create sharp spots when you break off the box knockouts to attach conduit, too? Once assembly is complete, the sharp edges are blocked from contact.

The old way, if you don't check every cover to make sure the hardware is included when you're buying them, you're in the middle of the job when you find out they're missing. Or you rip open the cellophane and the little hardware packet goes flying off into never-neverland. With this design, the nuts are always right there when you need them, because they're attached.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
A

AA/FC

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 9, 2010
Messages
2,080
dwasifar said:
But don't you create sharp spots when you break off the box knockouts to attach conduit, too? Once assembly is complete, the sharp edges are blocked from contact.

The old way, if you don't check every cover to make sure the hardware is included when you're buying them, you're in the middle of the job when you find out they're missing. Or you rip open the cellophane and the little hardware packet goes flying off into never-neverland. With this design, the nuts are always right there when you need them, because they're attached.
Click to expand...
Knockout holes are a totally different thing. Once the box is installed, the sharp edges of the knockout hole are completely covererd by the conduit connector on the outside, and the lock nut on the inside.

Don't try to make excuses why this style of cover is better, because it's not. The ONLY reason why they make covers with stamped sheet metal nuts instead of providing real nuts is to save production costs and increase profits. There is nothing better about sheet metal nuts over real hex nuts. And smooth stampings are ALWAYS better than a rough edge left behind from twisting off sheet metal nuts.

lol.
 
OP
D

dwasifar

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2017
Messages
2,101
AA/FC said:
Knockout holes are a totally different thing. Once the box is installed, the sharp edges of the knockout hole are completely covererd by the conduit connector on the outside, and the lock nut on the inside.

Don't try to make excuses why this style of cover is better, because it's not. The ONLY reason why they make covers with stamped sheet metal nuts instead of providing real nuts is to save production costs and increase profits. There is nothing better about sheet metal nuts over real hex nuts. And smooth stampings are ALWAYS better than a rough edge left behind from twisting off sheet metal nuts.

lol.
Click to expand...

And once the receptacle is installed, the sharp edge left by breaking off the nut is shielded from contact by the body of the receptacle itself. What kind of problem could it possibly cause in a finished assembly? It's only open DURING assembly, same as the knockouts.

I've stated my reasons, starting with the first post. You've stated yours, kind of, though you haven't made a case for why the rough edge is a problem. Maybe you just don't like it, but that doesn't make your opinion "the ONLY reason" and my opinion an "excuse."

I think this is a better design. You're free to disagree, but you are not automatically correct.
 
A

AA/FC

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 9, 2010
Messages
2,080
dwasifar said:
And once the receptacle is installed, the sharp edge left by breaking off the nut is shielded from contact by the body of the receptacle itself. What kind of problem could it possibly cause in a finished assembly? It's only open DURING assembly, same as the knockouts.

I've stated my reasons, starting with the first post. You've stated yours, kind of, though you haven't made a case for why the rough edge is a problem. Maybe you just don't like it, but that doesn't make your opinion "the ONLY reason" and my opinion an "excuse."

I think this is a better design. You're free to disagree, but you are not automatically correct.
Click to expand...
I do disagree and I'm sure the majority of others would disagree, too.

Even if the sharp edge that sheet metal nuts leave behind from being twisted off couldn't snag human skin.... it still LOOKS like ****.

Lower quality products, are lower quality. lolol.

If nothing else, sheet metal nuts are NEVER better than actual hex nuts.

Your are correct, we are both entitled to our own opinions. I like higher quality products than you, and that's perfectly fine. I'm not satisfied with with manufacturers cutting the quality of products just so they can make more money. I would rather they raise the price 50 cents and maintain the original quality of the product. But no, they cut quality and they expect the consumer/customer to like it.... That's exactly how they want customers to think. It's similar to "shrinkflation" where companies sell smaller quantities of their products for the same price. I don't like that either. Maybe you do? But like you said, we're both entitled to our own opinions.
 
Last edited:
OP
D

dwasifar

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2017
Messages
2,101
AA/FC said:
Lower quality products, are lower quality. lolol.

If nothing else, sheet metal nuts are NEVER better than actual hex nuts.

Your are correct, we are both entitled to our own opinions. I like higher quality products than you, and that's perfectly fine. I'm not satisfied with with manufacturers cutting the quality of products just so they can make more money. I would rather they raise the price 50 cents and maintain the original quality of the product. But no, they cut quality and they expect the consumer/customer to like it.... That's exactly how they want customers to think. It's similar to "shrinkflation" where companies sell smaller quantities of their products for the same price. I don't like that either. Maybe you do? But like you said, we're both entitled to our own opinions.
Click to expand...
The sheet metal nuts are no different from the threaded mounting holes in a mud ring, but I don't see you complaining that those don't come with hex nuts.

I think this is one of those unusual cases where the product is both improved AND cheaper to make. That does happen sometimes. Not everything that saves money and resources is a conspiracy to cheat you. For example, over in the plumbing world, would you plumb a house with iron waste lines, or PVC?

That said, I have to admit you're right about the stub being a tad unsightly. It's not a big deal - this is exposed work, after all, not interior finishing - but visually it's not as good as the prior designs. Can't argue with you there.
 
S

sparky 1971

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 9, 2018
Messages
8,017
Location
Central Iowa
I find it a hell of a lot easier to use the real nuts. Also, the old style came with the two short screws. I liked to use one of those in the center hole to hold everything together while I installed the end screws and nuts. I've cut my fingertip twice when I cross threaded one of those sheetmetal POS's. I realize that was my fault, but it doesn't happen with the nuts.
 
Last edited:
A

aandpdan

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2009
Messages
849
Location
In between MA and PA
I prefer the real nuts as well. I think the reason for the change is theft.

A few years ago I need a cover and stopped at HD. The case of covers that was on the shelf had been rifled, all of the bags opened, and the hardware removed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom