Pass & Seymour outlets

[Jeff590]

I had the impression that these outlets and switches were decent quality. Over the Christmas break I was painting my sons room and discovered the electricians used back-stab connections on the outlets, so I was going to pull them and switch to the side screws. Got to looking at some of the outlets and about 1/2 of them were cracked on the sides (the white plastic on the front), like ready to come apart.

The house is about 4 years old at this point, and not a ton of use I would assume (at least not by us as the second owners). I see that they are made in China. So is P&S just lower quality, or do they make different levels of quality and I got the low grade stuff?

 

[PLOWJEEP]

Pass & Seymour has many grades of devices. The ones your builder used are probably the least expensive . I like pass & Seymour products a lot . It would be a good idea to replace those receptacles with some of better quality .

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The leviton builder grade(read cheap ****) are probably about the same quality. I use the preferred grade with the back wire pressure plate screw terminals.

 

[Norcal]

There even different grades of quality in hospital grade devices, the $6-7.00 price range Hubbell receptacles fail annual required tests* faster then more expensive models. Expecting anything from bottom of the line residential grade devices is a bit much.

*In a health care setting, receptacles are required to be tested annually, minimum tension on the prongs is 4 oz, & the primary area of failure is tension on the ground prong.

 

[sberry]

I have been using the cheapest thing,,, why don't I have a problem with them?

 

[mobiledynamics]

Diff spec grades aside, the P&S plug connectors I hate...I've had to pick up a couple here and there from the big box when I needed it on a pinch. Prefer Leviton or Hubbell if I can get my hands on those

 

[PT Doc]

With a bad batch of outlets or who ever lives there does the same weird insertion or removal and this has broken the outlets. I think anything you replace with should be ok. If not then you know that it is user abuse.

 

[markushofer27]

Theyre probably broke trying to force a plug in a tr recept.The first tr recepticals that pass@semour came out with had white shutters ,which didn't work worth a **** ,the newer ones are a lot better and have black shutters .

 

[Git]

You get what you pay for. Here is an example from Lowes

This is what the back of a $.68 15 amp Pass & Seymour BACK STAB outlet looks like:

This is the back of a $4.98 15 amp Pass & Seymour BACK WIRE using a screw and clamp type outlet looks like:

Screw and clamp is the way to go. They basically look the same from the front - which ones do you think a builder is going to use...

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Pass-Seymo...-Volt-White-Indoor-Duplex-Wall-Outlet/3235958

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Pass-Seymo...r-Duplex-Wall-Tamper-Resistant-Outlet/3364974

 

[rburke65]

As usual, ya get what you pay for. I know that's a shock go some folks but it's true.

 

[bobbyjean]

As usual, ya get what you pay for. I know that's a shock go some folks but it's true.

nice one..."shock" some folks
i changed out some outlets and went from 15 to 20 amp-they looked much sturdier and use the screw/clamp... seemed worth the few extra bucks

 

[alfredeneuman]

nice one..."shock" some folks
i changed out some outlets and went from 15 to 20 amp-they looked much sturdier and use the screw/clamp... seemed worth the few extra bucks

Both 15 and 20 amp receptacles share the same internal parts.
Chances are you bought a different Grade of receptacle (the one with the screw/clamp).

 

[Jeff590]

Thanks guys. I guess the builder (or more correctly the electrician) cheaped out on me. The cheap outlet picture that Git posed is exactly what I had/have. I found some Leviton Preferred outlets at HD that were back-wire and had the metal strap around the back.

One bedroom complete, but a bunch more to replace in the rest of the house

 

[Norcal]

Thanks guys. I guess the builder (or more correctly the electrician) cheaped out on me. The cheap outlet picture that Git posed is exactly what I had/have. I found some Leviton Preferred outlets at HD that were back-wire and had the metal strap around the back.

One bedroom complete, but a bunch more to replace in the rest of the house

It's delusional to think that tract home builders are going to use anything other then the lowest cost receptacles, most people don't care so from their point of view it is fine, and every penny counts.