Unifit receptacles, anyone tried them?

[AntonLargiader]

Ran across these things: https://prado.com/us/product-category/unifit-series/

WOW are they pricey. But they certainly give a clean look that could be worth it to someone in the right spot. I have to assume it'll only be a matter of time before there are less expensive versions on the market. Not having to cut out and install a box, and then live with a big ugly cover plate, yeah that sounds OK by me.

Kind of like Romex with an extension cord end mounted in a wall.

 

[The Cobbler]

I don't get it. is there more that I can see ? the website doesn't do much

 

[AntonLargiader]

For me, that link opens to the Products page with pics and links for each of the products. But I bet you can find your way there from the home page if you try.

 

[Cruzan80]

Kind of like Romex with an extension cord end mounted in a wall.

I would describe it more as a replacement female extension cord plug, with metal "wings" like you find on "old work" boxes to hold it in. I guess since the Romex terminates inside the receptacle, that is how they get around the "No j-box" part?

While it looks neat, for the price, I don't see it being used in lots of areas, except where it is virtually the only option.

Also, since it isn't a duplex receptacle, you would need multiples to not have to install a 20A outlet (not sure if they can connect more than one together).

 

[AntonLargiader]

There is also a double outlet shown on that page. And they are designed for daisy-chained installation.

 

[mike93lx]

Are these the ones that get mudded into the wall?

Seems like a great way to have scratches all around a receptacle.

 

[In The Doghouse]

Looks like a solution looking for a problem.

 

[pembol]

I have not tried these, but they look like they would be great for specific situations where traditional boxes and outlets are too large of unsightly.

It has always seemed odd to me how little innovation there has been in residential electrical - maybe with the exception of Wagos, it seems like thinks have been pretty static for about the last 50 years.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I have seen these installed only once about two years ago in a high end home……… $2.5 million home with custom wood work and marble and these made for a "clean look" that blended in.
When I questioned the electrical contractor about them he said he would use them again "IF" the customer wanted something unique…….. He never heard of them until the architect spec'd them out.

 

[whateg01]

I think they would be cool if used on a bedframe or night stand.

 

[dscheidt]

I have seen these installed only once about two years ago in a high end home……… $2.5 million home with custom wood work and marble and these made for a "clean look" that blended in.
When I questioned the electrical contractor about them he said he would use them again "IF" the customer wanted something unique…….. He never heard of them until the architect spec'd them out.

I've seen them in a commercial space, where they were color matched to the tile walls they were installed in, and were basically invisible. that's the market for these things -- you need an outlet somewhere, but you don't want to see it. I doubt the few thousand dollars it added to the cost were material to anyone involved.

 

[4x4Pete]

On the website it looks as though the hole it gets mounted in is quite precise, and needs some sort of wall covering like tile to prevent pushing the outlet into the wall. Definitely a problem looking for a place to happen. Who wants an outlet that you can't see anyway? Looking for an outlet is hard enough sometimes. Making them hard to see is a great idea.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Looking at the installation instructions it appears to be pretty labor intensive. https://prado.com/wp-content/upload...tlet-hardwired-selfcontained_installation.pdf They have a corded version for use in furniture, I could see where putting one in a coffee table or a night stand would be nice if you wanted a receptacle that was unobtrusive.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Very cool product, thanks for sharing!

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I found the pix from the job I referenced in post #9……… These blended in so good I drew a "red line" so you could see the receptacle.

 

[mike93lx]

I found the pix from the job I referenced in post #9……… These blended in so good I drew a red line so you could see the receptacle

That's a great use for these

 

[The Cobbler]

makes me wonder , are we creating a society where we are too darn fussy? when does a house not become a home?

 

[duneslider]

These are all the rage in the highend homes at the moment. Also, seeing them in island counters since outlets on the side of the island are now to dangerous to be used.

I have mostly seen them on backsplashes like the posted above. I am thinking this would also be a great way to add an outlet in my shower, I mean if they are good for countertops they should be good in the shower right? Everything is gfci, so if I am careful I can make my toast while I am shaving in the shower?

 

[pbon]

We have these or something like them on a kitchen island that was built a year or two ago. Ours say Silites on them — I assume that is the brand.

 

[rmanrman]

Do you have to break tile when the outlet fails
Service must take forever

 

[mike93lx]

makes me wonder , are we creating a society where we are too darn fussy? when does a house not become a home?

People earn money and want to spend it how they see fit. I don't think we all need to live in modest apartments.

Seems like a great display of capitalism to me

 

[pembol]

Do you have to break tile when the outlet fails
Service must take forever

Looks like you just loosen the 'wings' and they pull out from the front - easier than a 'regular' outlet.

 

[mike93lx]

Do you have to break tile when the outlet fails
Service must take forever

How often do outlets fail for you?

People spending that kind of money on a kitchen aren't leaving them alone for 40 years

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

I found the pix from the job I referenced in post #9……… These blended in so good I drew a "red line" so you could see the receptacle.

Look great for a pretty kitchen that real people do not use. Don't get me wrong I like the look or absence of it. in my house it would have a toaster, coffee pot, microwave, or air fryer in front of it that lives on the counter. If you were someone that puts the toaster away in a cupboard after each use i get it.

 

[Buckgnarly]

makes me wonder , are we creating a society where we are too darn fussy? when does a house not become a home?

When you marry a Greek woman. Trust me, I know!

 

[mike93lx]

Look great for a pretty kitchen that real people do not use. Don't get me wrong I like the look or absence of it. in my house it would have a toaster, coffee pot, microwave, or air fryer in front of it that lives on the counter. If you were someone that puts the toaster away in a cupboard after each use i get it.

People can't put appliances away and still use a kitchen?

 

[mm08822]

I smell a new generation of appliances................all battery powered. We'll do away with the SABCs.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Look great for a pretty kitchen that real people do not use. Don't get me wrong I like the look or absence of it. in my house it would have a toaster, coffee pot, microwave, or air fryer in front of it that lives on the counter. If you were someone that puts the toaster away in a cupboard after each use i get it.

That area is NOT the main kitchen, it is the "bar area" in the guest house. The main kitchen was amazing. The area where I worked in had many high end homes and a 25,000+ SF home on 15+ acres was not uncommon………. Not for me but it was neat seeing how some folks spent their money.

 

[whateg01]

I smell a new generation of appliances................all battery powered. We'll do away with the SABCs.

I would buy into that! If it can use my DeWalt batteries, even better!

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

People can't put appliances away and still use a kitchen?

You can. Nothing wrong with that if it fits your family schedule. We have 6 people eating 2 meals a day on average in the house.

I am not getting out a toaster and coffee pot every weekday morning before leaving to go to work and drop off the older kids at school. Wife takes the younger 2 with her. I am sure if I told her to put them away after they eat she would be digging a hole with the skidsteer to bury me.

Coffee pot is on a timer to make coffee in the morning. Air fryer and microwave have to have the clock set to function. Programming them several times a week does not seem like fun. 4 boys that warm up leftovers when hungry or cook on the weekends.

We put away the dehydrator, meat slicer, blender, electric mixer, big *** electric skillet, and all the other occasional use things.

 

[whateg01]

Look great for a pretty kitchen that real people do not use.

People can't put appliances away and still use a kitchen?

You can. Nothing wrong with that if it fits your family schedule.

What about me? Am I a real people? I leave the toaster out but put the KitchenAid mixer and air fryer away because I don't have the counter space to leave them out.

 

[mike93lx]

What about me? Am I a real people? I leave the toaster out but put the KitchenAid mixer and air fryer away because I don't have the counter space to leave them out.

That's what a robot would say

 

[duneslider]

The outlets are pretty cool and not like crazy expensive for specific locations. As a tile guy, I absolutely hate outlets in kitchen backsplashes. They look terrible and these at least are sleek enough to not just look horrendous in a nice backsplash. However, now that outlets in the counter top are a good idea, I am just going to suggest everyone not to put outlets in the backsplash and make the countertop guy deal with all the outlets! I had a customer install all their outlets in the cabinets above the backsplash and the cabinet guy drilled holes in the bottom of cabinet to fish cords up through. Seemed like a huge hassle but the backsplash did look fantastic with no outlets in it!

 

[Norcal]

Do you have to break tile when the outlet fails
Service must take forever

There is a tool to remove them, heard the tool is expensive.

 

[PCustoms]

Are these the ones that get mudded into the wall?

Seems like a great way to have scratches all around a receptacle.

Here you go, same level of frustration but a lot cheaper and simple DIY install

Amazon.com: Fake Electrical Outlet Sticker Prank April Fools Funny Joke Decals : Toys & Games

Buy Fake Electrical Outlet Sticker Prank April Fools Funny Joke Decals: Gag Toys & Practical Jokes - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

 

[mike93lx]

Here you go, same level of frustration but a lot cheaper and simple DIY install

Amazon.com: Fake Electrical Outlet Sticker Prank April Fools Funny Joke Decals : Toys & Games

Buy Fake Electrical Outlet Sticker Prank April Fools Funny Joke Decals: Gag Toys & Practical Jokes - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

I should keep a pack in my laptop bag and mess with people in airports

 

[PCustoms]

I should keep a pack in my laptop bag and mess with people in airports

Do it

See if you can get a rickroll.exe loaded onto a bunch of promo thumb drives too.

 

[whateg01]

Here you go, same level of frustration but a lot cheaper and simple DIY install

Amazon.com: Fake Electrical Outlet Sticker Prank April Fools Funny Joke Decals : Toys & Games

Buy Fake Electrical Outlet Sticker Prank April Fools Funny Joke Decals: Gag Toys & Practical Jokes - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

Oh, the airports... Everybody is looking for a place to plug in. It's easier now that there are counters and seats with power, but I bet these would still fool a bunch!

 

[AntonLargiader]

I thought all of you guys knew web browsing and stuff; guess I was wrong.

They install in a 1-3/8" hole with a phillips head screwdriver, same way an old work box is installed (and removed if needed). If you want that fancy little countersink then you'll have to think a bit harder. Nothing related to mudding in, in fact I think sheetrock would not be the ideal mount for this. Installing the duplex is going to be harder as you need to mill or rout an oval hole.

I think they're pretty cool but I just can't see that price.

 

[PCustoms]

Oh, the airports... Everybody is looking for a place to plug in. It's easier now that there are counters and seats with power, but I bet these would still fool a bunch!

Forgot the airports, I want to do it around the office or at home where I can see the confusion...