GFCI Outlet Questions

[Jim Port]

You guys use your 69 cent receptacles from china and mexico, where the plug barely holds and hangs down exposing the hot blades, waiting for that aluminum foil or butter knife from your kid to experiment with. I'll go for something that GRIPS a plug.

You still do not need to install a 20 amp T-slot device to accomplish the same thing. You can just install a better grade of device. Given enough usage even the more expensive device will still lose grip and need to be replaced. Even the 69 cent devices meet the required grip retention standard set by UL.

[ballvalve]

Originally Posted by ballvalve
And finally, all such plugs and receptacles in the USA are Sh*&^, and dangerous. The europeans laugh at our plugs that do not shield the hot portions while being engaged and disengaged. Your NEC really fails us as a nation with that absurd system.

Have a look: Chad, Niger, Poland and Slovakia have more brains than "US" -

http://electricaloutlet.org/type-eI did a search of all the forums here looking and couldn’t find even one post beg you to stay here. If you are not happy with us them please feel free to move to one of those places you mentioned above.

Excellent post. Rather odd writing from a moderator. Thought they were supposed to hold to a higher standard.

This topic was about receptacles, not my popularity. I get deleted when I go off topic, so I stayed there by your orders.

I am rather surprised that someone as yourself that has a very bold stance on safety in Electricity, does not consider the mechanics of US plugs VS. those of other countries. I thought you would welcome the issue.

And I assure you that Slovakia is a VERY nice place to live. And much harder to get a household shock in.

[ballvalve]

You still do not need to install a 20 amp T-slot device to accomplish the same thing. You can just install a better grade of device. Given enough usage even the more expensive device will still lose grip and need to be replaced. Even the 69 cent devices meet the required grip retention standard set by UL.

I could agree with that, but UL tests only a few out of millions, and quality control can be a bit shoddy in Mexico and China on a bottom of the line device.

On that point, take a look at different brands of circuit breakers: I see "homeline" juicing the contact terminals for the bus bar with a grease or anti ox at the factory.
Others that cost more did not. Its all in the details. Brake rotors all look the same, but some warp in one week, and others never.

[jwelectric]

Excellent post. Rather odd writing from a moderator. Thought they were supposed to hold to a higher standard.

And they are just as human meaning they have an opinion mine of which is simple. If you feel that our products are dangerous but those of other countries are so much better then by all means move over there and be safe.
If you are content to live here with the safety we impose on factories then don't complain about someone having something that in your opinion is better some where else. In my personal opinion out products are just as safe or even better.

[ballvalve]

When our receptacles and plugs and tens of thousands of other widgets were made by small, family owned companies, in our country, and the chain of command could be traced back several generations, we had a culture of pride in a product well made.

And we had competition that caused relentless work to upgrade and do the other guy better.

Now, a few mega corps have gobbled up most all of our manufacturies, moved the bulk of them to the third world and retained or raised the price of the products from when they were made here. Greed. I consider our safety at risk from products we used to take for granted.

I do not see any treason in suggesting that we could redesign our products to a higher standard.

Some studies found 40% of UL labels counterfeit on imported products.

I have several "UL" clamp on lights that the slide switch shoots all the way through on, the case falls off in pieces while trying to turn it on or off, exposing all the internals, And the stores have thousands of these electric sabotage items in stock. Same story with the "UL" halogen stand up lights - you could build a mountain with that junk, melted terminals, melted cases, sparking, switches starting on fire.... And the chinese bulbs that could be used as flash bulbs in a camera.

Electric imported heaters? You could write a book on the hazards of them.