jumpstart
Well-known member
I'm doing a bit of electrical work in a detached garage. Are tamper resistant outlets required in a detached?
Tamper resistant outlets
- Thread starter jumpstart
- Start date
BreeStephany
ALLIANCE MEMBER
2017 code requires all 15 & 20A 125/250V receptacles in the following areas to be tamper-resistant.
As I interpret the code, a garage, detached or otherwise, or similar outbuilding / structure would be covered under 210.52(G), which falls within the areas requiring tamper-resistant receptacles under 406.12(1).
Just my two cents. It would be best to consult your local inspector, as their interpretation of the code may be different, but more than likely, most areas which have adopted 2017 code will require TR receptacles in garages or similar outbuildings.
As I interpret the code, a garage, detached or otherwise, or similar outbuilding / structure would be covered under 210.52(G), which falls within the areas requiring tamper-resistant receptacles under 406.12(1).
Just my two cents. It would be best to consult your local inspector, as their interpretation of the code may be different, but more than likely, most areas which have adopted 2017 code will require TR receptacles in garages or similar outbuildings.
tomralph
Well-known member
I had to put them in my detached. Unless the outlet was >66” off the ground, 
.
Guess where some of my outlets are.
.Guess where some of my outlets are.
shaggyant
Well-known member
That’s the answer right there ^
I just spoke to my electrical inspector last week and he cited the same two codes you did. He told me if I don’t want them then my recepticles need to be over the 5 1/2 feet listed as an exemption. I just bought tamper proof instead.
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American Locomotive
Well-known member
I'd bring a plug with you to the store and try out some of the different outlets at the store. I've found some TR outlets are easy to actuate, while some are a complete nightmare.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Like mentioned above, consult your inspector and get (or pursued) their opinion on the matter.
I was originally required to have them in my detached shop but after printing off the code and having a discussion with my inspector and explaining that it would technically not be a dwelling he agreed to let me slide on having to install those stinking tamper proof receptacles.
Now if I could just get rid of those damn things in the house.
I was originally required to have them in my detached shop but after printing off the code and having a discussion with my inspector and explaining that it would technically not be a dwelling he agreed to let me slide on having to install those stinking tamper proof receptacles.
Now if I could just get rid of those damn things in the house.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
A lot depends on how one interprets the language in the NEC, but my understanding is that any structure on a residential property is considered part of the 'dwelling', whether it's attached to the house or not.
American Locomotive's idea is good - try out the receptacles at the store before buying any. I haven't seen the problems some other people here on the forum have had with them being difficult to use, but it sure won't hurt to try them first.
American Locomotive's idea is good - try out the receptacles at the store before buying any. I haven't seen the problems some other people here on the forum have had with them being difficult to use, but it sure won't hurt to try them first.
PhysicsDude
Well-known member
I rennovated my house and installed TR outlets (hoping it will increase the resale value to the "soccer mom" crowd?)
While I was putting them in, I would took a heavy duty power cord and plugged it into each outlet a few times with good force. It made the outlets a lot easier to use and "loosened up" the mechanisms.
But yeah, still pretty annoying, especially in a shop setting.
While I was putting them in, I would took a heavy duty power cord and plugged it into each outlet a few times with good force. It made the outlets a lot easier to use and "loosened up" the mechanisms.
But yeah, still pretty annoying, especially in a shop setting.
Jeff590
Well-known member
I recently finished the electrical in my detached garage. I forgot about the TR outlets when I first did it, but then swapped them in before the inspection. I asked the inspector about it and he said that he would have failed me for non-TR outlets. This is Fairfax County Va.
MNMike
Well-known member
I had to replace all my outlets in the garage with TR per the inspector.
Good Luck,
Mike
Good Luck,
Mike
Hdonly0
Well-known member
We have really gotten "dumbed down. I grew up in a house with knob and tube wiring. 30 amp service and two prong outlets. Still alive and the house is still standing. Back then, us kids were taught to leave the outlets alone. We didn't mess with anything that we weren't supposed to. Mom and Dad made sure of that. We were "raised" back then. Now our world is filled with "idiot stickers" and "lawsuits" What the heck happened? Yes, I raised my daughter the same way. She is a happy, mature mother of her own two daughters. She found a husband with the same attitude. Seems to be a dying way of living.
X2..
Although the one time i got shocked as a kid i was removing a transformer style plug (from an AFX slot car track) with two hands and contacted the line and neutral.. never forget that kind of tingle..
American Locomotive
Well-known member
Oh give me a break. Outlets being dangerous isn't a problem for kids 5+ years old. It's for infants and toddlers. It's pretty difficult to tell a toddler who barely understands English and has an attention span of 3 seconds to not stick something in an outlet.
This is not something new, and has been a problem for decades with thousands of kids getting shocked every year since electricity first came into homes.
I think Tamper Resistant outlets are a good idea, but I just wish they worked a little better.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I bet you walked five miles uphill both directions in the snow to school, too.
According to the NFPA, approximately 2400 children suffer shocks or burns from sticking things into receptacles each year, so it's a worthwhile thing to try to prevent.
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Educati...rical/Tamper-resistant-electrical-receptacles
Skiff Builder
Well-known member
If your buying in a box store inspect each package before checkout. I did not on my last 25 package buy. 9 or 10 had been switched out with non tamper. Another 3 were stamped TR on the outlet but did not have the shutters visible like the rest.
Explained all to cust svc when exchanging. By the look I got I'm sure they were put right back into stock as is
Explained all to cust svc when exchanging. By the look I got I'm sure they were put right back into stock as is
LifeLongWNYer
Well-known member
If I am NOT doing any electrical work, must I swap out my existing receptacles for TR units?
If I am adding a receptacle to an existing circuit, which receptacles must be TR; the added one, or all of them?
I think I know this one, but if I am adding a new circuit, must all the receptacle be TR?
For what it is worth, the house is 1880's era, with most of the electrical redone by my Dad in the 1960-70's. Most of the wire he installed in the plastic Romex, but some of the wire that he didn't touch is the spiral metal clad stuff.
.
If I am adding a receptacle to an existing circuit, which receptacles must be TR; the added one, or all of them?
I think I know this one, but if I am adding a new circuit, must all the receptacle be TR?
For what it is worth, the house is 1880's era, with most of the electrical redone by my Dad in the 1960-70's. Most of the wire he installed in the plastic Romex, but some of the wire that he didn't touch is the spiral metal clad stuff.
.
shaggyant
Well-known member
The way I understand it it only needs to meet current code if you are adding it. Existing circuits and components only need to meet the code for when they were installed.
If it wasn’t this way then no one could ever afford to do any electrical work because they would have to tear out everything in the house that didn’t meet the most current code cycle.
Two Pump Chump
Well-known member
Just my $0.02 rant. F the code language. It could easily simply say any new 123abc receptacle in any residence or garage requires a TR.
PERIOD
Exceptions are . . ..
But no.
Every single source regarding this refers to another part of the code. Fail.
There, I feel much better.
Why are non TR outlets even on the shelves at box stores in areas where almost all use is for brand new tract homes ?
PERIOD
Exceptions are . . ..
But no.
Every single source regarding this refers to another part of the code. Fail.
There, I feel much better.
Why are non TR outlets even on the shelves at box stores in areas where almost all use is for brand new tract homes ?
rooster59
Well-known member
Sparky in training-
rawen2
Well-known member
Sparky in training-
I used that picture on some of my lock out tag out (LOTO) tags before I retired. Labeled them "Genius at work". LOL
I also had a few with Alfred E. Nuemann's picture on them.
Zeke
Well-known member
Now that might get quote of the year even though we have along way to go.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
so commercial or industrial dont need non-TR receptacles?Just my $0.02 rant. F the code language. It could easily simply say any new 123abc receptacle in any residence or garage requires a TR.
PERIOD
Exceptions are . . ..
But no.
Every single source regarding this refers to another part of the code. Fail.
There, I feel much better.
Why are non TR outlets even on the shelves at box stores in areas where almost all use is for brand new tract homes ?
Two Pump Chump
Well-known member
Wylie that's why I called my noise a rant. It looks like I have about 40 NIB receptacles that I can return or try to sell. Irony is that these units are to prevent misuse by dummies and there I go. I have watched hours of YouTube on DIY new installs and not one of them mentions " Oh, by the way, your outlets have to be TR".
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
I didn't start that way. It was with the left hand, not the right
sparky 1971
Well-known member
Because some people, like me, and others like me, refuse to use those P.O.S. TR's in their own homes. Just like AFCI's. If I'm installing a new circuit in my house, you can bet on the fact that there will be a $5 breaker at the beginning of the circuit and there won't be a TR receptacle at the other end of it.
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
NEC 406.4(D)
(5) Tamper-Resistant Receptacles. Listed tamper-resistant
receptacles shall be provided where replacements are made at
receptacle outlets that are required to be tamper-resistant elsewhere
in this Code.
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Innovate1
Well-known member
I did that as a small child. Only it was a bobby pin instead of a knife. One side in each slot. I remember my thumb was black from some soot but luckily that was about it. Don't remember much else as I was pretty young - don't know how young.Sparky in training-
When I built a detached garage a couple years ago I used standard outlets and it was fine. We tend to lag behind on code revisions.
purplezr2
Well-known member
I have Legrand Radiant TR Plugs(with screwless covers(great for OCD)) in my garage. I have no issues with them and don't notices a difference. Have the same in the house. No issues there either.
duneslider
Well-known member
I also have Legrand TR plugs throughout my house and garage and I didn't even realize they were TR, they are very smooth and work great. Its almost like the little mechanism is a little further in and you can't get one blade of the plug in far enough to hit it until the other is also going in. I have had zero issues with any of them, except for one in the kitchen backsplash that the tile guy (me) got a little grout in. I have a replacement but I don't use that plug enough to care but I can see the little bit of white grout in it when I wipe the backsplash down.