Overhead Receptacle... How to keep plugs from falling out

[Auzivision]

I have a couple overhead receptacles above my garage door openers.

Nothing but the electrical plugs and a little friction is holding them in place. I’m getting tired of getting the ladder out to plug my retractable reel trouble light.

Does anyone have any cleaver tricks on how to keep these from falling out short of replacing the receptacles and plugs with twist and lock?

 

[Falcon67]

I had some overhead/drop cords in previous shops - twist lock is the only good way I know.

 

[KyleQ]

You can bend the prongs out a little bit to get more friction - it works really good with a grounded plug too.

 

[onelochevy]

you can always swap out the outlets also. if they are old, they will lose some of their holding power.

 

[bmcdowell40]

You could get a Kellum grip for on the cord. Weight of the cord is taken by the kellum grip rather than on the plug.

 

[Stuart in MN]

you can always swap out the outlets also. if they are old, they will lose some of their holding power.

This may be the case. It may be old, or it simply could be a cheap one that's not built very well. I have a cord reel and the door opener plugged into a ceiling receptacle in my garage with zero problems.

 

[Tscott]

Twist lock is typically how it's done.

Tom

 

[rlitman]

Twist locks are the best option, but not always feasable.

20A outlets tend to have stronger grip than 15A. If you can find an outlet by Hubbell, they have the best grip on the power prongs out there.

Hospital grade outlets have extra grip on the ground pin, and are often used for overhead outlets too.

What I'm wondering, is why your retractable reel light is pulling on the cord. If the reel is hung close enough to the outlet, there should only be the weight of maybe a foot of cord on that plug. If that's pulling out, your outlet has lost its "spring" and needs replacing.

 

[larry_g]

Is your reel fixed to the ceiling or is it hanging from a hook and free to move? If it moves then you may be just wiggling it enough to cause the plug to work its way out. If it is moving then add a hook to the ceiling and afix the cord to it so the motion is nor transfered to the plug.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[TWX]

Yeah, I've never had overhead receptacles let go of plugs either. I'd bet that something's wrong, and that it's time for new receptacles.

I'm wondering if tamper resistant units might also grip a little better...

 

[rlitman]

I'm wondering if tamper resistant units might also grip a little better...

Nah, those just have plastic shutters that don't really hold much at all.

 

[Aceman]

Like said above, buy a spec grade recep.

Or I've been told, a hospital grade recep has even more holding power yet, but I can't verify it. I've installed them but never payed attention to how tight they grip cord ends...

I'm sure they aren't the cheapest though and I'll bet HD doesn't carry them.

 

[taumac]

I say new outlets and If still had a issues a idea is to get those plastic cable claps and screw it in where it outlet cover screw screws it. Those plastic wire clips look similiar to the claps that hold brake and fuel lines on the frame rails if you get my idea.

 

[mrb]

Hospital grade receptacles have the most holding force. Use one and your plugs will not fall out.

 

[BigJohn20]

Like said above, buy a spec grade recep.

Or I've been told, a hospital grade recep has even more holding power yet, but I can't verify it. I've installed them but never payed attention to how tight they grip cord ends...

I'm sure they aren't the cheapest though and I'll bet HD doesn't carry them.

They do carry the 5362-IGS, which is the Industrial Grade Isolated Ground Receptacles.

 

[Norcal]

HD Supply does carry hospital grade receptacles, they have been getting into healthcare items, BTW regs require a minimum of 4 oz of blade tension on receptacles in a health care facility. (Patient care areas). Yearly testing & documentation is also required.

Another comment: Grainger also has HG receptacles & while I prefer Hubbell, Leviton does make a robust HG receptacle at a much lower price. Ebay may also be a poss. choice...

 

[StaggeringGoat]

I agree, install new quality outlets. They should hold fine. In my old shop plugs wouldn't stay in the wall because the outlets were so worn out, but new outlets fixed it easy.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

As others have said, its the receptacles. I used Levition Pro Grade for my lighting and have never had any of the plugs work out of the receptacles, even slightly.

Charles

 

[gatchel]

buy a quality outlet.

 

[Mattlt]

You could get a Kellum grip for on the cord. Weight of the cord is taken by the kellum grip rather than on the plug.

This is what we've got at the fire station. Works great for us!

 

[Teken]

Like said above, buy a spec grade recep.

Or I've been told, a hospital grade recep has even more holding power yet, but I can't verify it. I've installed them but never payed attention to how tight they grip cord ends...

I'm sure they aren't the cheapest though and I'll bet HD doesn't carry them.

I can personally vouch for the HG outlets . . . It's almost too tight to be honest!