Commercial Grade Electrics: I watched a video on YouTube last night about commercial grade receptacles. They don't cost much more, but they are much better than the cheap ones. I've...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I watched a video on YouTube last night about commercial grade receptacles. They don't cost much more, but they are much better than the cheap ones. I've already had to replace a couple of switches in my house, and they were only 57 years old. I wish I had bought the commercial grade. Now I'll have to replace them in another fifty years.

So, the next time you find yourself shopping for switches or receptacles, look for commercial grade. Better yet, get hospital grade - more expensive, but even better.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

jerryc41 wrote:

I watched a video on YouTube last night about comm... (show quote)

Jerry, that is why (one of many reasons) I like you.
You're always thinking and more importantly, you share your knowledge.
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I've always replaced with commercial grade.
"Contractor Grade" is built too cheaply.
Contractors save money when putting in ≈100 switches and receptacles in a building.
The quote will go up if you request better parts. They won't eat the difference.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Completely agree. I don’t think you can build a quality product for 89 cents - I always use contractor grade from a recognized manufacturer. When I moved into my current house, built about 1960, one of the first things I did was change every switch and outlet in the house. Old and cheap outlet contacts loosen over time and use, and it’s not dead shorts that burn down houses (those usually trip breakers), it’s the loose connections that arc and produce heat.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TriX wrote:

Completely agree. I don’t think you can build a quality product for 89 cents - I always use contractor grade from a recognized manufacturer. When I moved into my current house, built about 1960, one of the first things I did was change every switch and outlet in the house. Old and cheap outlet contacts loosen over time and use, and it’s not dead shorts that burn down houses (those usually trip breakers), it’s the loose connections that arc and produce heat.

(You mean you always use commercial grade?)

Now Home Depot is callin the cheapies ($.49 each) "residential" grade. (Little or no use???)
I guess contractor grade gave them a bad name.
Commercial grade are about $2.25 each.

ELNikkor

All mine have been in place for 70 years, thinking about replacing them in 2040...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Longshadow wrote:

(You mean you always use commercial grade?)

Now Home Depot is callin the cheapies ($.49 each) "residential" grade. (Little or no use???)
I guess contractor grade gave them a bad name.
Commercial grade are about $2.25 each.

Thank you. I did mean I always use commercial grade with a UL rating. Extra money well spent. I’m also not shot in tail with the type where you simply push wires in the back without tightening the screw. Fast for the electricians wiring houses, but not acceptable to me.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TriX wrote:

Thank you. I did mean I always use commercial grade with a UL rating. Extra money well spent.

I’m also not shot in tail with the type where you simply push wires in the back without tightening the screw. Fast for the electricians wiring houses, but not acceptable to me.

Me neither, too susceptible to arcing over time!

(They call it back-stabbing.)
Under the screws all the time!

traderjohn Loc: New York City

jerryc41 wrote:

I watched a video on YouTube last night about comm... (show quote)

Wow, a 57-year-old receptacle. Do you have fuses or circuit breakers??

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

jerryc41 wrote:

I watched a video on YouTube last night about comm... (show quote)

What makes a receptacle "better" than the ones that lasted you 57 years? Wait and see? I already had to replace commercial switches and receptacles in my home.

ddgm Loc: Hamilton, Ontario & Fort Myers, FL

traderjohn wrote:

Wow, a 57-year-old receptacle. Do you have fuses or circuit breakers??

Knob and Tube!

rustfarmer

I agree. I have had some very strange electrical problems such as LED lights that continue to glow dimly when switched off that turned out to be bad switches. Replaced with commercial grade and problem solved.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Jimmy T wrote:

Jerry, that is why (one of many reasons) I like you.
You're always thinking and more importantly, you share your knowledge.
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

Thanks. Now I'm blushing.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Except for the ones I have had to replace, all our switches and receptacles are ceramic. Our house is now 101 years old.

marine73 Loc: Modesto California

When I bought my house in 2001 (right after 911) I went through and replace all the toggle wall switches with rocker switches and all the outlets from the round receptacles to the flat receptacles. I have since replace to of the flat receptacles with ones that have the usb charging ports. Needless to say with changing out all the switches and receptacles all the face plates had to be changed.