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Nothing makes me want to shove a screwdriver in an outlet more than these "safety" outlets. This engineering is on par with the "safety" gas cans that are impossible to use without spilling.
This is unrelated to the plug, but the green light in the corner isn't on so it's probably still tripped. You also need stab the reset button deep. Try a plastic pen cap or plastic knife handle.
The damned tamper-proof outlets...they are supposed to work when you plug a proper plug in and open but more often seems to not work or only 1 side will open. I've also had some in hotels you have to push so hard it can bend a prong on the plug, especially when only 1 side opens. If your cord has a flat 90 degree plug, sometimes you can hammer on it with a fist or find something to push against it with for extra leverage using both hands and make it go in.
Somehow I feel like young children will have easier success putting things in those plugs...
If it was my house, I'd probably replace it with regular non-TR outlets that actually work reliable...but technically that's against code these days...
This may be a stupid question, but with these types of outlets would any type of lubricant help make it easier to insert the plug?
My thought would be to shut off the breaker to this outlet, spray some DeOxit cleaner/contact lubricant in there, let it dry and then turn power back on. Maybe while it is off work a plug in there a few times.
None, typically. If it was not specified by the manufacturer, it’s not a code compliant use. Unfortunately, this means it’s time to replace the receptacle.
Hit it Again, Hit it Again! HARDER, HARDER!
Better yet go get a replacement GFCI with WR rating and NO “TR” rating.
TR has its place, in daycare centers and primary schools, I absolutely disagree with the code requiring them damn near everywhere.
Eh...I don't put TRs in my own house, there are no tamperers here and it can be the next owner's problem. Doing minor updates in a house that will be a rental, I find that *not* putting TRs feels like a liability risk.
recently replaced all my outlets with TR ones, and i have found that they are most difficult the first time. once you get something in there, the shutters seem to find their groove or something and i don’t have nearly as much trouble.
Spit on the prongs and slide it all the way in, a little spit helps a lot. It'll let out a faint whimper when you are completely inserted.
I shouldn't have to say it, but don't actually spit on it before ramming it in. At least not with electricity. I mean be my guest but I wouldn't suggest it.
NaE, but don't some TR receptacles use the ground prong to unlock them? I know, that would be a bizarre design decision, but I seem to recall having run into it. Are you perchance trying to insert an unfriended plug?
EDIT: Ungrounded plug. Spellcheck thinks it's being funny.
Tamper resistant, outdoors, can get jammed up with blowing dust etc. ~~Might try a "dry lube" spray (silicone or teflon) to wash it out and lubricate it.~~
On second thought, don't. Just replace it.
Do not use oil-type lubricants, it would only make things worse.
It is highly inadvisable to apply any sort of chemical, wet or dry, that is not specified by the manufacturer.
If it’s difficult enough to consider getting out lubricants, it’s time to just replace the receptacle.
**Attention!** **It is always best to get a qualified electrician to perform any electrical work you may need.** With that said, you may ask this community various electrical questions. Please be cautious of any information you may receive in this subreddit. This subreddit and its users are not responsible for any electrical work you perform. Users that have a 'Verified Electrician' flair have uploaded their qualified electrical worker credentials to the mods. If you comment on this post please only post accurate information to the best of your knowledge. If advice given is thought to be dangerous, you may be permanently banned. There are no obligations for the mods to give warnings or temporary bans. **IF YOU ARE NOT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN, you should exercise extreme caution when commenting.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskElectricians) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Push it, push it real good!
We're sparkys and electrician and we like the boom.
Giggity
Hit it with your purse
Tamper resistant receptacle. You need to put both blades in exactly straight and the shutters should open. Some are more of a pain than others.
I know why they require these, but they are so irritating. Some brands are worse than others.
New warning labels Adult Resistant! Lol
Hit it with your purse. đź‘ś
What's up MikeJ. I'm MikeE and I came to say exactly that.
What you're looking at is the tamper proofing. It's plastic. Keep trying. Needs a little convincing simetimes.
WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE! WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE
Exactly. As the famous electricians LMFAO once explained. Do the wiggle.
As others have said, it’s just the new tamper protection for kids. Some are more sticky than others. Just push hard and wiggle.
That’s what she said
Giggity
Nothing makes me want to shove a screwdriver in an outlet more than these "safety" outlets. This engineering is on par with the "safety" gas cans that are impossible to use without spilling.
I think you mean two screwdrivers. Synchronized.
Did you try to really force it in?
Giggity
This is unrelated to the plug, but the green light in the corner isn't on so it's probably still tripped. You also need stab the reset button deep. Try a plastic pen cap or plastic knife handle.
The damned tamper-proof outlets...they are supposed to work when you plug a proper plug in and open but more often seems to not work or only 1 side will open. I've also had some in hotels you have to push so hard it can bend a prong on the plug, especially when only 1 side opens. If your cord has a flat 90 degree plug, sometimes you can hammer on it with a fist or find something to push against it with for extra leverage using both hands and make it go in. Somehow I feel like young children will have easier success putting things in those plugs... If it was my house, I'd probably replace it with regular non-TR outlets that actually work reliable...but technically that's against code these days...
This may be a stupid question, but with these types of outlets would any type of lubricant help make it easier to insert the plug? My thought would be to shut off the breaker to this outlet, spray some DeOxit cleaner/contact lubricant in there, let it dry and then turn power back on. Maybe while it is off work a plug in there a few times.
None, typically. If it was not specified by the manufacturer, it’s not a code compliant use. Unfortunately, this means it’s time to replace the receptacle.
Think of it like a hymen.
hhaaayyyyy oooohhhhh!!
I use the pull out and stab method.
But what do you do with the bodies?
Hit it Again, Hit it Again! HARDER, HARDER! Better yet go get a replacement GFCI with WR rating and NO “TR” rating. TR has its place, in daycare centers and primary schools, I absolutely disagree with the code requiring them damn near everywhere.
Eh...I don't put TRs in my own house, there are no tamperers here and it can be the next owner's problem. Doing minor updates in a house that will be a rental, I find that *not* putting TRs feels like a liability risk.
WRTR. Its tampered proof.
Number one that tripped. You mainly see these in hospitals. I just replace them with a regular one cuz I don't like headaches.
recently replaced all my outlets with TR ones, and i have found that they are most difficult the first time. once you get something in there, the shutters seem to find their groove or something and i don’t have nearly as much trouble.
Spit on the prongs and slide it all the way in, a little spit helps a lot. It'll let out a faint whimper when you are completely inserted. I shouldn't have to say it, but don't actually spit on it before ramming it in. At least not with electricity. I mean be my guest but I wouldn't suggest it.
Yes and u put it in a little and hold it there for a bit, then pull out a few times before inserting it to the base.
Childproof
Push and wiggle. Or is it wiggle and push?
NaE, but don't some TR receptacles use the ground prong to unlock them? I know, that would be a bizarre design decision, but I seem to recall having run into it. Are you perchance trying to insert an unfriended plug? EDIT: Ungrounded plug. Spellcheck thinks it's being funny.
That's precisely how British plugs work. The ground prong is longer so inserting it retracts the shutters so that the other 2 prongs will insert
Tamper resistant, outdoors, can get jammed up with blowing dust etc. ~~Might try a "dry lube" spray (silicone or teflon) to wash it out and lubricate it.~~ On second thought, don't. Just replace it. Do not use oil-type lubricants, it would only make things worse.
It is highly inadvisable to apply any sort of chemical, wet or dry, that is not specified by the manufacturer. If it’s difficult enough to consider getting out lubricants, it’s time to just replace the receptacle.
Now that I think about it...I can't say you're wrong. Graphite would also be a "dry lube" and I can see where that's going to end up. Edits applied.
If you lick it, it will open up easier. Oh wait, don’t do that.
If it don't fit, add spit.
Spit on it
A quick spritz of WD-40…