I am well aware that various devices have been around for decades; there was simply no code reason to require them, nor was there any standard that they were held to. Every firm was free to follow it's own desire.
None of the devices fulfil the current code requirements, as they lack the "TR" marking.
Building plans require many things- the vast portion of which are not enforceable by the inspector. There's no law that says you must paint the bedroom walls pink, to cite one recent job I was on. The customer is free to purchase (specify) what he wants. As indicated by the various types of receptacles - there must be hundreds of ordinary duplex 5/15's available- customers want all manner of things not required by code.
As for "spec" grade .... or any other 'grade,' for that matter .... the terms mean whatever each manufacturer says they mean. While there has been SOME uniformity in the use of "spec" to refer to a particular Federal specification, one must read the fine print to be sure. Other terms - 'commercial' and 'industrial' are two that come to mind- don't have even that hook to hang from.
Go ahead, beat that dead horse .... that's what neigh-bors are for!
