Question: Can you paint the front of a receptacle if you do not get any paint on the contacts?

Answer: No, receptacles are not evaluated with paint on the device.

Following is a quote from UL:

"A receptacle which has been painted other than authorized by the file procedure, for example, "Charlie home owner, etc., would no longer be UL Listed. The introduction of paint, especially on the face of the outlet could reduce spacing or form a tracking either line to line or line to ground."

In addition, to the potential hazards associated with reduced spacing or tracking, it is possible the paint itself could be conductive.

Courtesy: www.nema.org


Joe Tedesco, NEC Consultant