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Subject Author Date
Is this broken outlet unsafe? Toller 12-27-2006
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Posted by Toller on December 27, 2006, 10:44 pm


Yes, I realize they only cost $2 and I will replace it, but in principle...

I was installing a new outlet today and I heard some plastic break as I was
putting the faceplate on. Seems my screw was too long for the outlet and it
popped a little hole through the back.

I can't see that anything is really damaged (relating to the hot or
neutral), and the only thing exposed is the ground. Any reason this should
be unsafe?

Some outlets leave the back open, presumably for this reason. Why don't
all?



Posted by Oren on December 27, 2006, 11:15 pm



>Yes, I realize they only cost $2 and I will replace it, but in principle...
>
>I was installing a new outlet today and I heard some plastic break as I was
>putting the faceplate on. Seems my screw was too long for the outlet and it
>popped a little hole through the back.
>
>I can't see that anything is really damaged (relating to the hot or
>neutral), and the only thing exposed is the ground. Any reason this should
>be unsafe?

Cracking a plate cover is not the same as cracking an outlet.
Re-inspection is needed for what ever you "cracked' and determine it
safe.

>
>Some outlets leave the back open, presumably for this reason. Why don't
>all?
>


--
Oren

"Well, it doesn't happen all the time, but when it happens, it happens
constantly."

Posted by Toller on December 27, 2006, 11:52 pm



>
>>Yes, I realize they only cost $2 and I will replace it, but in
>>principle...
>>
>>I was installing a new outlet today and I heard some plastic break as I
>>was
>>putting the faceplate on. Seems my screw was too long for the outlet and
>>it
>>popped a little hole through the back.
>>
>>I can't see that anything is really damaged (relating to the hot or
>>neutral), and the only thing exposed is the ground. Any reason this
>>should
>>be unsafe?
>
> Cracking a plate cover is not the same as cracking an outlet.
> Re-inspection is needed for what ever you "cracked' and determine it
> safe.
>
Well, I know what cracked. The too long screw popped a hole through the
back of the outlet.



Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on December 27, 2006, 11:57 pm



> Well, I know what cracked. The too long screw popped a hole through the
> back of the outlet.

It may be perfectly safe today, but after a few uses, more may crack and it
may not be safe.



Posted by Eigenvector on December 28, 2006, 12:48 am



> Yes, I realize they only cost $2 and I will replace it, but in
> principle...
>
> I was installing a new outlet today and I heard some plastic break as I
> was putting the faceplate on. Seems my screw was too long for the outlet
> and it popped a little hole through the back.
>
> I can't see that anything is really damaged (relating to the hot or
> neutral), and the only thing exposed is the ground. Any reason this
> should be unsafe?
>
> Some outlets leave the back open, presumably for this reason. Why don't
> all?
Maybe not a pertinent question, but every outlet I've ever bought typically
comes with the screws needed to install it - including the faceplate.
Granted I only buy outlet sets. How long was this faceplate screw anyways -
2 inches?

To answer your question, if it were me, I'd buy a new outlet. I think Ed
Palwalski (or however you spell that name) said it best - it might be fine
today, but who knows tommorrow.



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